Choosing a roofer in Northeast Philadelphia starts with verifiable credentials, a written scope, and real local experience. Before you sign, check the contractor’s Pennsylvania registration, insurance, address, references, warranties, payment terms, and permits — and know who does the work and which products they’ll install. Plenty of companies will take your call, but not all can do right by an older rowhome or low-slope roof.
Union Roofing is based at 12260 Townsend Road, in Philadelphia’s 19154 ZIP code. We give homeowners a clear, honest assessment — no pressure.
Need your roof checked? Call 215-464-6425 to request a free estimate.
Why Northeast Philadelphia Roofs Are Different
Homes in Torresdale, Bustleton, Mayfair, Fox Chase, and Somerton don’t share one roof design. The area mixes older rowhomes, twins, and mid-century detached houses — some with steep shingle roofs, others with flat or low-slope sections.
We work on both shingle and flat roofs across Philadelphia, so our team knows how local housing styles, drainage, and weather affect the job. Flat and low-slope systems need a different approach than pitched roofs, where the flashing around chimneys and skylights often decides whether a repair holds.
Nine Things to Check Before Hiring a Roofer
Run these nine checks before authorizing a repair, replacement, or larger residential roofing project. A professional roofing contractor in Philadelphia will answer each directly.
1. Pennsylvania Registration and Philadelphia Credentials
Pennsylvania doesn’t issue a statewide roofing license, but qualifying home improvement contractors must register with the Attorney General. Ask for the number and confirm it’s active — Union Roofing’s is PA010759, verifiable through the Attorney General’s Home Improvement Contractor Verification. Depending on the scope, a contractor may also need a city license, which you can look up through the City’s contractor resources.
2. Liability and Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Don’t rely on a verbal claim of coverage. Ask for current certificates of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, and check the name, insurer, policy period, and status — the name should match the company in your contract.
3. A Permanent Local Address and Reliable Contact Information
Confirm the business name, address, phone, email, and registration, and be cautious if a company gives only a mobile number or a name that doesn’t match its documents. Union Roofing is at 12260 Townsend Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154, reachable at 215-464-6425.
4. Relevant Projects, References, Reviews, and Crew Details
Ask for examples of recent work on properties like yours. A contractor who knows Northeast Philadelphia should be able to talk about rowhomes, low-slope roofs, parapets, and flashing without vague answers. Request local references, read reviews, and ask who does the work.
5. Current Manufacturer Certifications and Exact Products
Certification shows training and may unlock warranty options, but it doesn’t guarantee a correct installation. Confirm it’s current, then ask for the exact manufacturer, product line, and accessories — “architectural shingles” isn’t specific enough.
Union Roofing holds GAF and ATLAS certifications, and we explain which materials are included and which warranty applies. Review our residential roofing services when comparing your options.
6. A Detailed Written Estimate
A good estimate lets you compare scopes, not just bottom-line prices — the affected area, the recommended repair or replacement, materials, labor, tear-off, disposal, timeline, and warranty terms. If the problem looks limited, it often makes sense to start with a roof repair, with any hidden damage added by change order.
7. Material and Workmanship Warranties
Most projects include two warranties: the manufacturer warranty covers eligible materials, and the contractor’s workmanship warranty covers the installation. Ask for both in writing, check the coverage period, exclusions, and transfer rules, and don’t accept “lifetime warranty” without asking what it covers.
8. Payment, Financing, and Cancellation Terms
The contract should tie payments to clear stages, so be wary of a large upfront demand before it’s signed. Pennsylvania limits deposits on covered contracts and many include a three-business-day cancellation right. Financing is optional; if offered, review the rate, term, fees, and total repayment.
9. Permit Responsibility and Final Approvals
Ask whether the project needs a permit and who will obtain it. The contract should state who’s responsible for applications, fees, inspections, and approvals — requirements depend on the property and scope, so don’t assume a permit is unnecessary. Confirm any required permit is issued before work starts.
Red Flags: How to Spot a Storm-Chaser
Treat unsolicited post-storm offers with caution. Storm damage can call for fast emergency roof repair, but before you share insurance information or sign anything, verify the company’s registration, insurance, and references.
Other warning signs include:
- Pressure to sign before you’ve had a chance to review the contract
- Cash-only demands or unusual payment methods
- A company name that doesn’t match its documents
- Refusal to provide insurance certificates or registration details
- Vague materials, warranties, or project scope
- A large upfront payment without a complete written agreement
Be especially careful if a contractor offers to “waive” or absorb your insurance deductible — it’s part of your insurance agreement, so confirm any arrangement with your insurer first. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s post-storm consumer guidance agrees.
What a Fair Roof Estimate Should Include
A fair estimate from a roofing contractor in Philadelphia should show exactly what you’re buying, since two quotes may not cover the same work. Make sure each one spells out:
- The repair or replacement area and the exact manufacturer and product line
- Underlayment, membrane, flashing, ventilation, and accessories
- Tear-off vs. overlay approach and any decking replacement allowance
- Property protection, debris removal, and final cleanup
- Start window, project duration, and permit responsibility
- Material and workmanship warranty terms, payment schedule, and change-order process
Don’t choose on price alone — ask the contractor to explain any missing items or big differences between quotes. Not sure whether you need a repair or a replacement? Our late-summer roof check walks through the warning signs, and a professional roof inspection will tell you.
Union Roofing: Roofers in Northeast Philadelphia, Based in 19154
Union Roofing isn’t just ranking for a local phrase — we’re physically based in Northeast Philadelphia at 12260 Townsend Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154, phone 215-464-6425.
Frank Sr. started the company in March 1981 with one truck, and more than 40 years later we’re still family-owned, serving homeowners and businesses across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. For anyone searching philadelphia roofers union, we have the presence and credentials to back up the name: our contractors are licensed and insured, GAF- and ATLAS-certified, hold an A+ BBB rating, and offer financing, manufacturer warranties, and a workmanship warranty.
Beyond Northeast Philadelphia, we serve the broader Philadelphia area and nearby suburbs, including Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Atlantic, and Cape May counties. Learn more about our work as a roofing contractor in Philadelphia or contact us for a free inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Union Roofing’s roofers licensed and insured in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Union Roofing’s contractors are licensed and insured, GAF-certified, and ATLAS-certified, and our registration (PA010759) can be verified through the Attorney General’s office.
How do I know if I need roof repair or roof replacement in Northeast Philadelphia?
A repair may be enough for a small leak, a limited flashing problem, or isolated shingle damage. Replacement is more likely when leaks keep returning, the decking is damaged, or the roof is near the end of its life. A roof inspection tells you.
Should I hire a local roofer or a bigger regional company?
For Northeast Philadelphia homes, local experience matters more than size. Rowhomes, flat roofs, low-slope sections, parapets, and party-wall flashing all require practical knowledge of the housing stock, and a bigger company isn’t automatically better if it can’t explain them.
What should I ask before signing a roof estimate?
Ask whether the company is licensed and insured, what materials will be used, whether the old roofing comes off, how flashing and ventilation are handled, what warranty applies, whether financing is available, and who pulls permits.
