FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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.

Yes, we are happy to offer our customers financing through GreenSky.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.