How to Choose a Roofing Contractor on Long Island

Why Choosing the Right Roofer Matters More Than You Think

A roof replacement is one of the most expensive home improvements you will make. On Long Island, a typical roof replacement runs $8,000 to $18,000 or more depending on size and materials. With that kind of money on the line, the contractor you choose matters as much as the materials they install.

A poorly installed roof will fail years before it should. Shingles blow off in the first nor'easter. Flashing leaks around chimneys and skylights. Underlayment is skipped or improperly lapped. These are not manufacturing defects. They are installation failures, and they are completely avoidable if you hire the right contractor.

Long Island has hundreds of roofing companies, from established local businesses to storm chasers who show up after every weather event and disappear a few months later. This guide will help you tell the difference.

Step 1: Verify Licensing and Registration

The first thing to check is whether the contractor is properly licensed and registered. On Long Island, the requirements vary by county:

• Nassau County: Roofers must hold a Home Improvement Contractor license from the Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs. You can verify licenses online at the county website or by calling their office.
• Suffolk County: Contractors must be registered with the Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs as a home improvement contractor. Suffolk does not issue a trade-specific license, but the registration is legally required.

Beyond county registration, check whether the contractor has any complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau or the New York State Attorney General's office. A pattern of complaints is a clear warning sign.

At ERS Roofing & Siding, we are fully licensed and registered. You can learn more about our company and our qualifications.

Step 2: Confirm Insurance Coverage

Insurance is non-negotiable. Every roofing contractor working on your home must carry:

• General liability insurance: Covers property damage to your home during the project. We recommend a minimum of $1 million in coverage.
• Workers' compensation insurance: Covers injuries to workers on your property. Without this, you could be liable if a roofer falls off your roof.

Do not take the contractor's word for it. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) and call the insurance carrier directly to verify coverage is current. Certificates can be forged, cancelled, or expired. A legitimate contractor will not hesitate to provide this documentation.

Step 3: Look for Local Experience and Reputation

There is a difference between a roofing company that happens to work on Long Island and one that has been roofing Long Island homes for years. Local experience matters because:

• Local contractors know the building codes in Nassau and Suffolk County, including permit requirements that vary by town.
• They understand Long Island's specific weather challenges: salt air corrosion on the South Shore, ice dam formation, nor'easter wind loads, and summer heat buildup.
• They have established relationships with local suppliers, which means better material pricing and faster delivery.
• They depend on their local reputation, so they are more likely to stand behind their work.

Check Google reviews, but look beyond the star rating. Read the actual reviews. Pay attention to how the company responds to negative reviews. A company that takes complaints seriously and resolves them publicly is usually a safer bet than one with nothing but five-star reviews and no detailed feedback.

Step 4: Get Multiple Written Estimates

Get at least three written estimates from different contractors. A proper roofing estimate should include:

• Full scope of work: tear-off of existing layers, deck inspection and repair, underlayment, ice and water shield, drip edge, flashing, shingles, ridge vent, and cleanup
• Specific material brands and product names, not just "architectural shingles"
• Number of layers to be removed
• How they will handle any deck damage discovered during tear-off
• Permit costs and who pulls the permit
• Timeline and estimated completion date
• Warranty details for both materials and labor

If an estimate is vague, lists no specific materials, or seems significantly cheaper than the others, that is a warning sign. The cheapest estimate often becomes the most expensive project when corners are cut. For a detailed breakdown of what roof replacement costs on Long Island, see our roof cost guide.

Step 5: Watch for These Red Flags

After working in the roofing industry on Long Island, we have seen the tactics that unreliable contractors use. Watch out for:

Storm Chasers

After every major storm, out-of-state contractors flood Long Island looking for quick jobs. They knock on doors, offer free inspections, and pressure homeowners into signing contracts on the spot. They have no local office, no local reputation, and no reason to come back if something goes wrong. When the storm work dries up, they move on to the next disaster area.

High-Pressure Sales Tactics

Any contractor who pressures you to sign a contract immediately, offers a "today only" discount, or tries to make you feel like you will miss out if you do not commit right now is using sales tactics, not providing a professional service. A legitimate roofing company gives you time to review the estimate, compare options, and make an informed decision.

No Written Contract

Verbal agreements are worthless in roofing. If a contractor will not put the scope of work, price, timeline, and warranty in writing, do not hire them. In New York State, home improvement contracts over $500 are required by law to be in writing.

Demand for Large Upfront Payment

A deposit of 10-30% is reasonable for material ordering. Under New York law, a home improvement contractor cannot request a deposit exceeding one-third of the total contract price. Any contractor asking for 50% or more upfront is a risk. Full payment should never be made until the work is completed and inspected.

No Physical Business Address

If the contractor's only address is a P.O. box or they cannot tell you where their office or shop is located, that is a problem. Established contractors have a local presence. You should be able to find them if you need warranty service in two years.

Skipping the Permit

In most Long Island towns, a roofing permit is required for a full roof replacement. Contractors who say "we do not need a permit" or "nobody pulls permits around here" are either uninformed or trying to cut costs. Working without a permit can create problems when you sell your home and the buyer's inspector finds unpermitted work.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofer

Use this list during your initial consultation or phone call. The answers will tell you a lot about the contractor's professionalism and reliability.

1. How long have you been roofing on Long Island? Look for at least 5 years of local experience.
2. Can I see your license and insurance certificate? Any hesitation is a red flag.
3. Will you pull the permit? The contractor should handle permitting.
4. What materials do you recommend and why? They should explain the pros and cons for your specific situation, not just push the most expensive option.
5. How do you handle deck damage? They should inspect the deck after tear-off and discuss repair pricing before proceeding.
6. What is your warranty? Ask about both manufacturer warranty and their own labor warranty. How long? What does it cover? What voids it?
7. Can I see recent completed projects? A good roofer is proud of their work and happy to show it.
8. Who will be on-site supervising? Will the owner or a project manager be present, or will a subcontracted crew show up unsupervised?
9. How do you handle weather delays? Long Island weather is unpredictable. There should be a clear plan for tarping and protecting exposed areas if work gets interrupted.
10. What is the payment schedule? Get this in writing before any work begins.

Manufacturer Certifications: Do They Matter?

Major shingle manufacturers like GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed offer contractor certification programs. These certifications (like GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Preferred, or CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster) require contractors to meet certain standards for training, insurance, and customer satisfaction.

Are they worth considering? Yes, but with context. Certification means the contractor has met the manufacturer's minimum requirements and can offer extended warranty options that non-certified contractors cannot. However, certification alone does not guarantee quality work. It is one factor among many. For a comparison of the major shingle brands, check our GAF vs. Owens Corning vs. CertainTeed guide.

The Importance of a Labor Warranty

Most roofing material warranties cover defects in the product itself, not problems caused by poor installation. That means if your shingles blow off because they were nailed incorrectly, the manufacturer will not cover it. This is why a contractor's labor warranty matters.

A strong labor warranty should cover workmanship for at least 5-10 years. Some contractors offer lifetime labor warranties. Ask specifically what the warranty covers, what voids it, and whether the warranty is transferable if you sell your home. Get it in writing.

Online Reviews: What to Look For

Online reviews are helpful but require some interpretation:

• Volume matters: A company with 50+ reviews is more reliable than one with 5 perfect reviews.
• Look for detail: Reviews that describe the actual experience (communication, cleanup, timeline, problem-solving) are more useful than "great job."
• Check multiple platforms: Google, Yelp, BBB, and Angi. Some companies have great reviews on one platform and complaints on another.
• Read negative reviews carefully: Every company gets some. What matters is how they respond. Did they address the issue? Offer to fix it? Or did they get defensive?
• Watch for fake reviews: Multiple reviews posted the same day, generic language, reviewer accounts with only one review, all point to fake reviews.

Getting the Best Value (Not Just the Lowest Price)

The cheapest roofing estimate is almost never the best value. Here is what actually determines value on a Long Island roof replacement:

• Material quality: Premium architectural shingles cost more but last 25-30 years instead of 15-20 for budget products.
• Proper installation: Correct nailing patterns, proper underlayment overlap, sealed flashing, and adequate ventilation all affect how long your roof lasts.
• Complete scope: A lower bid might be missing items like ice and water shield, new drip edge, pipe boot replacement, or proper attic ventilation.
• Warranty: A roof with a 10-year labor warranty and 50-year material warranty is worth more than a cheaper roof with minimal warranty coverage.
• Cleanup and professionalism: Nail sweeps, debris removal, and protecting your landscaping and property during the project are signs of a professional operation.

When comparing estimates, make sure you are comparing the same scope of work. Line up the materials, the process, and the warranty. Then the price comparison is meaningful.

Ready to Get a Straight Answer on Your Roof?

At ERS Roofing & Siding, we do things the right way. We are licensed, insured, and locally operated out of Babylon, NY. We give you an honest assessment, a written estimate with specific materials and scope, and stand behind our work with a real warranty.

We serve homeowners across Nassau and Suffolk County, including Lindenhurst, Massapequa, Huntington, Smithtown, and Garden City.

Call (516) 595-5395 or request a free estimate online to get started. No pressure, no games, just a straight answer about your roof.