Protect Your Roof Before Winter Hits In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania winters can be rough. Homeowners know that your roof is the most important element to protecting your home from the elements. Replacing it is a big investment that can cost anywhere between $5,200 and $10,100. You'll want to do this before cold and snow hits in the coming months.

You may want to connect with a reputable roofer now, even if you aren't due for a full replacement. Once you've found a professional contractor, they can perform routine maintenance and inspection as well as repairs that will get more life out of your roof. And once you need an installation or replacement, you'll already have a trusted relationship.

To find a reliable roofer, use a trusted service like HomeAdvisor that has already vetted professionals through a rigorous screening process. Read customer ratings and reviews to see what real homeowners think about their services. You'll also want to talk to several roofing companies to gauge a fair and reasonable price for your area. Interview at least three, and verify their credentials to make sure they meet insurance requirements in Pennsylvania.

Once you've hired a roofer, you'll want to cover all of the bases to make sure everything goes smoothly. Ask your professional contractor about the warranty that comes with your new roof. The installation and workmanship should be guaranteed for at least five years. The materials themselves typically come with a 20- to 40-year warranty. Then, follow these steps and you'll be on your way to a beautiful new roof:

1. Protect Yourself
Ensure you aren't opening yourself up to any liability as a homeowner. Ask your contractor if you need to acquire a permit, and make sure all employees are covered by workers comp.

2. Don't Pay Upfront
A reputable contractor will never require you to pay the entire balance upfront. Industry standard is to ask for a good faith deposit of 10 percent or less.

3. Set A Completion Date
Work with your contractor to set a realistic completion date, and ask that they provide updates and deliverables as the project progresses.

4. Ask For Updated Estimates
Unforeseen issues are bound to come up, so make sure to have a continuous conversation with your contractor. Request that they confer with you if they need to revise their original estimate. Confirm these changes are necessary, reasonable and within your budget before moving forward.