How do I check if a roofer is registered in New Jersey?

New Jersey requires home improvement contractors to register with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, which offers an online license and registration lookup. Ask the roofer for their NJ HIC registration number and look it up yourself. Our NJ registration number is listed in the article above.

How do I check if a roofer is registered in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires most home improvement contractors to register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, which offers an online search. Ask for the contractor's PA HIC number and verify it. Our PA registration number is listed in the article above.

How many roofing estimates should I get?

Two or three written estimates are usually enough to compare scope and price. Make sure each one covers the same work, including tear-off, decking replacement, underlayment, ice barrier, flashing, ventilation and cleanup, so you're comparing apples to apples.

Is the cheapest roofing bid a bad idea?

Not always, but a price well below the others usually means something is missing, like skipped tear-off, cheaper materials, no ice barrier, or a contractor without proper insurance or registration. Ask exactly what's included before you decide.

How to Choose the Right Roofing Company for Your Next Project

By the Allabaugh Construction team · June 10, 2022 · Updated September 25, 2026

Choosing a roofing company might seem simple, but there's a lot to weigh. There are plenty of roofers out there, and they aren't all equal. The good news is that finding the right contractor isn't hard if you focus on a few things every good roofing company should offer.

Check Registration and Insurance First

Before anything else, make sure the contractor is legally allowed to do the work. Both of the states we serve require registration:

New Jersey: home improvement contractors must register with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, which has an online lookup.
Pennsylvania: under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, most home improvement contractors must register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, which also has an online search.

Ask for the registration number and look it up. Ours are NJ HIC #13VH09734600 and PA HIC #PA162561. Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage too. If a worker is hurt on your roof and the contractor isn't properly insured, you don't want to be the one exposed.

Meet Them in Person

Don't hire a roofer you haven't met. A face-to-face visit lets you get a feel for the people you'll be working with. You can hear their ideas for your home, see whether they're comfortable explaining what they found, and spot any red flags. A good roofer will get on the roof or into the attic, not just glance at it from the driveway.

Check References and Reviews

Most roofers are honest, but you still want to know how a company has treated other homeowners. Read online reviews, look at photos of their work and ask for references.

Experience matters too. You'll likely feel more comfortable with a company that has 20+ years of experience than one that opened a few months ago, and a company that is certified by a major shingle manufacturer, like a GAF-certified contractor, has met that manufacturer's requirements.

Don't Just Chase the Lowest Price

A low price is tempting, but every roof job is supposed to protect your home, not create new problems. A bid well below the others often leaves something out: a skipped tear-off, cheaper materials, no ice and water barrier at the eaves, or a contractor without proper registration or insurance. That can cost you more in the long run than a fair price up front. Make sure every bid covers the same scope.

Get Everything in Writing

A good roofer won't pressure you to sign on the spot unless there's a genuine safety issue. Get the agreement in writing, including the scope of work, materials, price, payment schedule, start date and warranty. Pennsylvania's HIC law sets specific requirements for home improvement contracts, and New Jersey's consumer protection rules do as well. Written terms protect both you and the contractor if a question comes up later.

Ask About Warranties

Ask what's covered and for how long, both by the shingle manufacturer and by the contractor on their own workmanship. Our roof replacements come with a lifetime manufacturer's warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty.

Ask About Cleanup

Roofing is messy. Nails, shingle scraps and debris can be dangerous for kids, pets and tires. Ask how the crew protects your landscaping during the job and how they clean up afterward, including running a magnet over the yard and driveway for nails.

Talk About the Unexpected

Most jobs go as planned, but sometimes there are surprises. Rotted decking might only show up once the old shingles are off, or a repair might reveal that a replacement makes more sense. Ask up front how the contractor handles those situations and how extra work is priced and approved, so nobody is surprised.

Get a Roofing Contractor You Can Trust

If you're looking for roof repair, roof maintenance or a full roof replacement in Mercer County, NJ or Luzerne County, PA, reach out to Allabaugh Construction. We're a GAF-certified contractor with 20+ years of experience, rated 5.0 stars from 233 Google reviews. Financing available. Call NJ (609) 477-0487 or PA (814) 330-4897, or request a free estimate.