Roof Replacement Questions From Philadelphia, PA Homeowners
Plain answers for homeowners in Philadelphia, PA who are weighing a new roof: what it tends to cost, which permit applies, how to check out a roofer, and what Pennsylvania law says about contracts, deposits and cancelling. Each answer stays short, and the linked guides go further.
Roof Replacement FAQ
These are the questions Philadelphia homeowners raise most often, whether the house is a flat-roofed rowhouse, a shingled twin or a stone home topped with slate. The answers summarize public rules and published price data. They aren't legal advice, and the roofer you hire should confirm anything particular to your house.
Is this site a roofing company?
No. It's a referral service. A request sent from this site goes to one independent local roofer, and that roofer handles the visit, the price and any work you agree to. The site itself never bids on jobs, signs contracts or gets involved in insurance claims. A roofing company pays the site a fee for every referral it receives, while homeowners pay nothing and are given nothing.
What does a new roof cost in Philadelphia?
RoofObservations' 2026 Pennsylvania guide lists Pennsylvania 3-tab shingles, per sq ft at about $6.45, Pennsylvania architectural shingles, per sq ft at about $7.10 and Pennsylvania premium shingles, per sq ft at about $8.80. Those are statewide figures measured on roof surface, and the guide says the Philadelphia metro runs highest. Flat roofs, slate and tile differ, so read the cost guide and get the roofer's own figure.
Does a roof replacement in Philadelphia need a permit?
Yes. Replacing a roof covering inside the city takes an EZ permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections, which requires no plans, and the job has to be done by a contractor holding a City license. Ask the roofer who files the permit, and ask to see it. Outside the city, each township has its own office and its own rules.
How can I check out a roofer before signing?
Roofing isn't licensed as a trade at the state level here. Instead, any contractor whose home improvement jobs add up to $5,000 or more a year has to register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General, and you can look a company up on the Attorney General's online Home Improvement Contractor search. In the city, also ask for its contractor license. Ask for insurance certificates, a local address and references too.
My rowhouse roof is flat. Will a new coating fix it?
Sometimes, for a while. Many Philadelphia rowhouse roofs are low-slope membranes such as modified bitumen or EPDM, often with a silver or white coating on top. A fresh coat is upkeep, not a new roof. Ask the roofer whether the membrane underneath is still in good shape, and whether a replacement price includes flashing along the party walls and the rear drain or gutter.
Can I back out after signing a roofing contract?
Yes. Pennsylvania law lets you cancel a home improvement contract within three business days after signing it, no matter where the signing took place, and the contract itself must explain how. Any contract over $500 has to be in writing and signed by both sides, showing the total price, start and finish dates, the work, the materials and the contractor's registration number.
How large a deposit can a roofer ask for?
On a contract over $5,000, Pennsylvania caps the deposit at one-third of the price, plus the cost of any special-order materials. No one may take your money before the contract is signed. Be wary of anyone asking for cash only or the whole amount up front, and put any change to the job in writing, signed by both of you.
Will my insurance pay for storm damage?
That depends on your policy and your insurer. The roofer you hire can document the damage with photos and a written estimate, but the claim itself is settled between you and your insurer, or by a public adjuster or lawyer working for you. You pay your own deductible. A contractor offering to cover or waive it while billing the insurer the full price is a red flag.
What changes if my house is historic?
If the house is listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, roof work has to wait for the Philadelphia Historical Commission's sign-off. Commission staff handle most roof permits, though they may ask for materials that match what's there now. Have the roofer check the property's status before anyone files for the permit.
Something Not Covered Here?
Questions about your own roof are best put to the roofer who comes out to see it. Send a request through the form and add your question in the note. For more detail on contracts, deposits and permits, read the Pennsylvania roofing rules guide.