(610) 795-2887

a quiet established residential neighborhood in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the Questions Homeowners Ask Most

We believe every homeowner should feel informed before making a decision about their home’s exterior. These are the questions we hear most often — and the honest answers we give every time.

If you do not find what you are looking for here, call us at 610.795.2887 or use our contact form. We are happy to answer any question about your roof, your siding, your gutters, or the process of working with Full House Roofing. There is no such thing as a question that is too basic or too detailed.

How do I know if a roofing contractor is legitimate?

Start with three things: a valid Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration number, proof of general liability insurance, and proof of workers’ compensation coverage. Any contractor who cannot produce all three on request should be removed from your list immediately. Beyond that, look for a physical local presence (not just a phone number), consistent reviews across Google and the BBB, and a willingness to provide a detailed written estimate before you sign anything. Full House Roofing is a PA-licensed contractor based in Birdsboro, and we carry full liability and workers’ comp coverage on every project. We are happy to provide documentation to any homeowner who asks.

How many estimates should I get before choosing a contractor?

We recommend getting at least two or three estimates for any major exterior project. Comparing estimates helps you understand the range of pricing in your area and, more importantly, the differences in scope. Not all estimates include the same work. One contractor may include ice and water shield, new drip edge, and a ventilation assessment in their price. Another may leave those as extras. When you compare quotes, look at what is included line by line, not just the bottom number. We provide a detailed written scope on every estimate so you can see exactly what you are paying for and compare it accurately against other bids.

What should I look for in a roofing estimate?

A good estimate should include the full scope of work written out in detail: tear-off and disposal, underlayment type, shingle brand and product line, ice and water shield placement, drip edge, flashing, ventilation, and cleanup. It should also state what is not included. The total price should be clear with no ambiguous line items. If an estimate is a single number on a piece of paper with no breakdown, that is a red flag. Full House Roofing provides itemized estimates that explain every component of the project so you understand what you are getting and can make an informed comparison.

Is Full House Roofing licensed and insured?

Yes. Full House Roofing is a registered Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor with full general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Every crew member working on your property is covered under our policy. We will provide proof of insurance and our PA contractor registration number to any homeowner who requests it — and we encourage you to ask. If a contractor hesitates to share this documentation, that tells you something important about how they operate.

Do you offer free estimates?

Yes. Every estimate is free, and there is no obligation to hire us. You can start with an instant online estimate through our website, which gives you a preliminary number in about two minutes. From there, we schedule an in-person inspection where we assess the full condition of your roof and exterior, walk you through what we find, and provide a detailed written estimate. We will never pressure you to sign on the spot. Take the estimate, compare it, and call us when you are ready.

How do I know if my roof needs to be replaced or just repaired?

Age is the biggest factor. If your roof is 20 to 30 years old and you are seeing curling shingles, granule loss in the gutters, cracked or missing shingles after storms, or daylight visible in the attic, replacement is likely the better investment. If the damage is isolated to a small area and the rest of the roof is in serviceable condition, a targeted repair can buy you time. We assess every roof honestly and tell you which option makes sense for your situation. We would rather recommend a $500 repair than sell you a $15,000 replacement you do not need yet.

What type of shingles do you install?

We install architectural shingles from three of the most trusted manufacturers in the industry: GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed. Architectural shingles are thicker, more durable, and more wind-resistant than the three-tab shingles that were standard on homes built before 2010. Most architectural shingles carry a limited lifetime warranty from the manufacturer and are rated for winds up to 130 MPH. We are not locked into a single brand, so we recommend the product that best fits your home, your aesthetic preferences, and your budget.

How long does a roof replacement take?

Most residential roof replacements are completed in one to two days. Multi-layer tear-offs, extensive decking repairs, or complex roof layouts with many penetrations (skylights, chimneys, multiple vents) may extend the timeline. Weather delays are also a factor in Pennsylvania, particularly during spring and fall. We provide a clear schedule before work begins and send automated updates when materials are ordered, when the crew is confirmed, and when they are on the way. If a delay occurs, we communicate it immediately rather than leaving you guessing.

What siding materials do you offer?

We install three types of siding: vinyl, engineered wood, and fiber cement. Vinyl is the most cost-effective option and requires virtually no maintenance. Engineered wood delivers the look and texture of real wood without the rot and repainting demands. Fiber cement is the most durable option we offer — it resists impact, moisture, fire, and insects and holds paint significantly longer than wood. We walk every homeowner through the pros and tradeoffs of each material based on their budget, their home’s exposure, and how long they plan to stay in the house.

Should I replace my gutters when I replace my roof?

In most cases, yes. When a roof is being replaced, the old gutters are removed as part of the tear-off process and the fascia is fully exposed. That makes it the most efficient and cost-effective time to install new seamless gutters. The new gutter system can be aligned with the new drip edge and integrated properly rather than retrofitted later. If your current gutters are less than ten years old and in good condition, we will tell you they can be reinstalled. But if they are aging, leaking at the seams, or undersized, replacing them alongside the roof saves you a second mobilization and ensures everything works together as a system.

How much does a roof replacement cost in Pennsylvania?

In our service area across Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties, a typical residential roof replacement ranges from $10,000 to $25,000. The final cost depends on the size of the roof, the pitch and complexity, the number of layers to tear off, the condition of the decking underneath, and the shingle product you choose. We provide a detailed written estimate that breaks down every line item so you can see exactly where the cost comes from. There are no hidden fees and no surprise charges after the contract is signed.

Do you offer financing?

Yes. We partner with Hearth to offer flexible financing options, including 0% interest for 24 months. Hearth’s application process is quick and does not affect your credit score for the initial check. Financing allows homeowners to move forward with projects they need without waiting to save the full amount upfront. This is especially useful for storm damage situations where the insurance payout may not cover the full scope, or for homeowners who want to bundle roofing with siding, gutters, or other exterior work into a single project. We can walk you through the financing options during your consultation.

How does your instant quote tool work?

Our website includes an instant quote tool powered by RooferR. You enter your address and answer a few basic questions about your roof, and the system generates a preliminary estimate in about two minutes. This number is a starting point — not a final price. It gives you a ballpark so you know what to expect before scheduling an in-person inspection. During the inspection, we assess the actual conditions (decking, ventilation, flashing, number of layers) and provide a detailed written estimate that reflects the real scope of your specific project.

Do I have to pay anything upfront?

We require a deposit to schedule the project and order materials. The deposit amount depends on the size and scope of the job and will be clearly stated in the contract before you sign. We never ask for full payment before the work is completed. The remaining balance is due upon completion after you have had a chance to review the finished project during our final walkthrough. If you are using Hearth financing, the payment terms are handled through their platform and we will walk you through how that process works during the consultation.

How will I know what is happening with my project after I sign the contract?

You will receive automated notifications at every stage through our CRM system. When your materials are ordered, you get a notification. When the materials arrive, you get another. When your install date is confirmed and the crew is scheduled, you are notified. And on the day of the job, you receive a notification when the crew is on the way. This communication happens automatically — you do not have to call and ask for updates. If anything changes (a weather delay, a material backorder, a scheduling shift), we communicate that directly and immediately rather than leaving you in the dark.

Who will be working on my property?

Our crews are independent contractors that our owner, Richard Hiltner, has personally trained, worked alongside, and trusts. These are not random laborers — they are skilled tradespeople with a long-standing working relationship with Full House Roofing. Every crew member on your property is covered under our workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. If you have questions about the crew or the work at any point during the project, you can contact us directly and get an answer from someone who knows your project.

Do I need to be home during the installation?

You do not need to be home for the entire installation. We ask that you are available at the start of the project to walk through any last-minute details and at the end for the final walkthrough and quality check. For most of the work, the crew operates on the exterior of the home and does not need interior access. If you will not be home, we ask that you let us know in advance so we can coordinate access to the property (gates, driveway, pets, etc.) and reach you by phone if any questions come up during the work.

What happens if the crew finds damage under the old roof?

It happens on a meaningful percentage of jobs. When the old shingles and underlayment come off, we sometimes find decking that has rotted from moisture intrusion, damaged rafters, or deteriorated fascia that was not visible before the tear-off. When that happens, we stop, document the issue with photos, contact you immediately, and explain what we found and what it will take to fix. We provide a cost for the additional work before proceeding. We will never add charges without your approval, and we will never cover up damage to keep the project on schedule.

What kind of warranty do I get?

You receive two layers of warranty protection. The first is the manufacturer’s warranty on the materials, which covers defects in the shingles, underlayment, and other products. The length and terms depend on the product line — most architectural shingles from GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed carry a limited lifetime warranty. The second is our workmanship warranty, which covers the quality of the installation itself. We will explain exactly what each warranty covers and what it does not during your consultation, so there are no surprises if you ever need to use it.

What should I do if I notice a problem after the project is completed?

Call us. Full House Roofing is a locally owned company based in Birdsboro, PA, and we will be answering the same phone number next year and the year after that. If you notice a leak, a shingle that has lifted, a gutter that is not draining properly, or anything else that concerns you after the project, contact us directly and we will assess the situation. If it is a workmanship issue, we address it at no additional cost. If it is a new issue unrelated to the original project, we will tell you that honestly and provide a fair quote for the repair.

Do you clean up after the job is done?

Yes, and we take cleanup seriously. When the crew finishes, all debris is removed from the roof, the yard, the driveway, and any areas of the property affected by the work. We run a magnetic nail sweep across the yard and driveway to pick up any fasteners that may have fallen during the tear-off. The property should look better when we leave than it did when we arrived. During your final walkthrough, we will check the cleanup with you and address anything that does not meet the standard.

Will you be available if I have questions months or years after the project?

Yes. One of the reasons Full House Roofing exists is because the larger companies in this market stop being available after they cash the final check. We do not operate that way. If you have a question about your warranty, want advice on maintaining your roof, or just need a professional opinion on something you have noticed, call us. We are a local company and we plan to be here for the long term. The relationships we build with homeowners do not end when the project does.