FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
Q : What red flags should I look out for when hiring a roofing contractor?
If someone stops by to give you a quote, one of the first
things that you should ask them is if they are licensed and insured in the
state. Contractor numbers are very important – companies are required to
get them and display them on their website. It only costs about $50/year,
so if a company does not have a contractor number that should be a huge red
flag.
Also, if the person stopping by shows up in beat-up old
clothes and a rusty truck, trust your instincts and gut – especially if you’ve
gotten comparable bids and they come in with a super low quote.
Unfortunately, some roofers in the Pocono Mountains and NEPA take advantage of
customers that may not have the best knowledge as to what to look for to get the
right roofing contractor.
Q : Do you offer financing?
Yes, we are happy to offer our customers financing through GreenSky.
Q : What happens if I hire someone that is not licensed and insured?
If a contractor is not licensed and insured, and something
happens you can be personally liable if a worker on your job is injured or an
accident occurs and your homeowner’s policy does not cover it.
Don't be
afraid to ask a company to see their Certificate of Insurance, you can even go
as far as to call their insurance company to make sure their policy is up to
date and has adequate coverage.
Q : How much does a new roof cost?
Roofing costs vary day to day since many roofing materials
are made with oil by-products. When pricing a new roof, we also have to
take into consideration how simple or complex your roof is designed and even how
steep it is. At Upper Level Construction, we give FREE Roofing Estimates, so we can get you the
exact price that it will cost you to replace your roof.
Q : If my roof is leaking, do I need a new roof? How long can I wait to replace it?
There are occasions where minor roof repairs are an option,
but most of the time when a roof is leaking it is an indicator of a much larger
problem. A small leak can quickly lead to substantial damage, more costly
repairs, and even mold issues.
Roofs are built to last a good 20-25
years, if you’re approaching that timeline (or aren’t sure the last time it was
replaced) and you’re experiencing any type of roof leaks, it’s probably time to
get a new roof.
Q : How do I choose from multiple roofing estimates?
Not all roofing contractors are created equal. Just
because it's the lowest bid, doesn't mean that it's the best bid
available. Are all the contractors licensed & insured? Can they
provide you with references for previous work? Are they active on social
media? Are the photos on their website really photos of their
projects/work?
Choosing the wrong company can mean a deal on price
today, but costly and expensive headaches fixing mistakes down the
road.
Q : Do you replace roofs in the Pocono Mountains?
Yes, we have been doing reroof's for homes in the Poconos
since 2001. We specialize in roofing in Monroe County including
Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, Saylorsburg, Tobyhanna, Mountainhome, Pocono
Lake, Pocono Pines, Pocono Summit, Henryville, Blakeslee, Reeders, Scotrun,
Swiftwater, Brodheadsville, Bartonsville, Bushkill, Marshalls Creek,
Tannersville, Bangor, Pen Argyl, Mount Pocono and more.
Q : Do you provide roofing services in NEPA?
Yes, we have been providing new roofs for homes in the NEPA
region including Northampton County for many years including Wind Gap, Mount
Bethel, East Bangor, Stockertown, Easton, Mount Effort, Jonas, Effort, and
Albrightsville.
Q : Will you reroof a home in the Lehigh Valley Area?
Yes, in addition to the Poconos and the Northern edge of
NEPA, we also travel down to the Lehigh Valley area and Northampton County and
roof homes in Bangor, Pen Argyl, Emmaus, Bath, Easton, Allentown, and
the Bethlehem area.
Q : How often should you replace your roof?
When replacing your roof, there are a lot of determining
factors. Age is the biggest one, but also the quality of shingles that were
originally installed. It also depends on the proper installation and site
conditions of the original install. Some determining factors could also be a
case of poor ventilation, improper installation, or usage of wrong
materials.
As a homeowner if you want to self-inspect your own roof
– look up and if you see dips/sways in your roof that is a sure indication that
you are in need of a new roof. If you also see any of the corners of your
shingles sticking up OR peeling back, that is also a tell-tale sign that your
roof needs replaced.
When it comes to your roof saving money is not
what you should be worried about. Hire a professional because, in the long run,
it pays off.
If a roof is installed properly and professionally, then
your average roof lifespan under normal living conditions should last 20-25
years.
Q : As a homeowner, what should I look for as bad signs that my roof needs to be replaced?
Moss, Greenery, Algae on roofs are not good signs. These
are dead giveaways that moisture is possibly constantly on your roof. Moss is
one of the worst things that can grow on your roof. That is a sure sign that you
have excess moisture in that area. Moisture will penetrate right through your
shingles, and plywood and start working its way down the house. In my years I
have seen moss deteriorate a shingle, just like how road salt melts
ice.
When you look up at your roof and see any dips, sways, depressions,
or buckling, these are all signs that you are having more severe issues. This
could be a cracked or broken piece of plywood. It could also mean that you have
a broken rafter.
When you see depressions in your roof it could also mean
that you have a soft spot in the roof that could potentially be allowing water
to settle. If you have access to look in your attic and you see any moisture
spots that’s a clear sign that decay is starting to set in.
If you look
up at your roof and see any type of Shingle granulation or parts/pieces of
shingles in your yard or on the ground that’s a sure bet that the shingles on
your roof are starting to decay and rot and do need to be replaced.