What to Know Before You Hire a Long Island Roofing Contractor
Over 35 Years as a Roofer in Long Island
Hiring the right roofing contractor can make or break your home improvement project. For Long Island homeowners, finding a skilled, reliable roofer is essential. The area’s unique weather, with its seasonal storms and coastal humidity, demands a roof built to withstand these conditions. Whether you need a minor repair or a full roof replacement, choosing an experienced contractor ensures your roof will stand strong for years.
Before hiring a roofing contractor, take the time to understand key aspects of the process. From licenses and insurance to warranty options and materials, knowing what to look for helps you make a confident, informed decision. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to find a trustworthy Long Island roofing contractor who meets your needs and budget.
A Warranty is No Substitute for a Good Roofer
A warranty can provide peace of mind, but it’s no replacement for quality workmanship. Many roofing issues arise from improper installation, which no warranty can fully cover. Hiring an experienced, reputable roofer is essential to ensure your roof’s longevity and performance. A skilled contractor follows industry best practices, minimizing the need for warranty claims in the first place.
Warranties often have limitations and may exclude certain types of damage or only cover materials, not labor. Choosing a trustworthy Long Island roofing contractor reduces the risk of future problems and ensures any warranty provided actually adds value. Invest in quality upfront to avoid costly repairs later.
When it Comes to Roofs, Beauty Can Be Skin Deep
Even an unskilled roofer can install shingles that make a home look fresh and secure—at least initially. However, with roofing, the unseen details make all the difference. Beneath the surface, today’s advanced multi-part roofing systems are designed to protect your home for 30 to 50 years, sometimes even referred to as “Lifetime Roofing Systems.” These systems involve specialized materials and layers that work together to provide durability, insulation, and weather resistance, far beyond what meets the eye.
For these roofing systems to perform as intended, each component requires precise installation by a certified, experienced roofer. Manufacturers’ warranties hinge on strict installation practices, covering only those roofs installed by approved contractors who meet all guidelines. A skilled Long Island roofing contractor ensures that each part of the roofing system functions as designed, delivering true longevity and protecting your home for decades to come.
Build Your House on Rock, Not Sand
Some roofers may cut corners, building on shaky foundations or using materials picked up at local hardware stores. However, a reputable contractor installing a Lifetime Roofing System will source materials directly from manufacturer-certified distributors, delivering them on a large flatbed truck at the project’s start. This ensures that your roof’s materials meet quality standards and include all components essential for a reliable, long-lasting system.
The layers beneath your shingles play a crucial role in safeguarding your home against extreme weather and temperature changes. An experienced, certified installer follows each manufacturer’s exact guidelines, ensuring the components are installed to perform as intended. Proper installation is essential for full warranty coverage, and only a qualified Long Island roofer can guarantee the system’s durability and effectiveness. A roof may look great from the outside, but its true strength lies in the quality and precision of what’s beneath the surface.
Manufacturer's Material Warranties Do Not Cover Labor
Manufacturer warranties typically only cover the roofing materials themselves, not the cost of labor. If defective shingles or other components require replacement, the manufacturer will supply the materials. But they won’t cover the labor costs for removal and reinstallation. This is important to understand, as labor expenses can add up, especially for complex roof repairs or replacements.
Reliable roofing contractors can offer a separate workmanship warranty, which covers labor-related issues like improper installation. Choosing a contractor who provides a strong labor warranty adds essential protection to your roofing investment. Manufacturer and workmanship warranties together offer the most comprehensive coverage. They ensure you aren’t left covering labor costs out of pocket should any issues arise with your new roof.
Protect Your Roof with a Full System Warranty
A full warranty that covers both materials and workmanship offers the best protection for your new roof. Without labor coverage, homeowners could face unexpected expenses if issues arise due to improper installation or component failure. Choosing a warranty that includes workmanship guarantees that both materials and labor are covered, providing comprehensive protection.
Hiring a contractor who offers a strong workmanship warranty ensures quality installation and shields you from additional costs if problems occur. With full warranty coverage, you gain peace of mind knowing your roof is protected on all fronts, from materials to installation. Investing in this protection can save you both time and money by minimizing the risk of out-of-pocket repairs down the line.
FOR THE BEST ROOF WARRANTIES,
CALL COUNTY ROOFING SYSTEMS
Problems You May Face
with the Wrong Long Island Roofer
Even with top-quality materials, a new roof can fail prematurely if installed incorrectly. Certain mistakes made by a Long Island roofing contractor can significantly reduce your roof’s lifespan. Knowing these common errors can help homeowners ensure their contractor follows best practices for installation.
Poorly Installed Roof Flashing
Flashing protects vulnerable areas like chimneys, skylights, and valleys from water infiltration. When improperly installed, it can leave gaps that allow water to seep underneath the shingles, causing leaks and structural damage. Contractors must install flashing with precision and seal all edges properly to ensure a watertight barrier. Poor flashing work is one of the most common reasons new roofs fail.
Inadequate Roof Ventilation
Proper ventilation regulates attic temperature and prevents moisture buildup, protecting both the roof and home. Insufficient ventilation can lead to mold, rot, and shingle deterioration. When contractors fail to install enough vents or place them improperly, it shortens the roof’s lifespan and voids certain warranties. Ensuring correct ventilation protects your roof and improves energy efficiency.
Incorrect Nailing Techniques
Shingles must be nailed precisely according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Incorrect nailing—such as over- or under-driven nails or nailing outside of designated areas—can cause shingles to loosen or blow off during high winds. This exposes your roof to water damage and can void the warranty. Proper nailing practices are essential to keeping shingles secure and the roof protected.
Skipping Underlayment Installation
Underlayment serves as a secondary moisture barrier, shielding the roof deck from leaks. Skipping or improperly installing underlayment leaves your roof vulnerable to water infiltration, especially during Long Island storms. A qualified roofer will ensure all underlayment layers are applied correctly, enhancing the roof’s protection and longevity.
Improper Shingle Alignment
Even minor misalignment in shingle placement can lead to water infiltration and aesthetic issues. Proper alignment and spacing help the shingles lock together and shed water effectively. Contractors should take care during installation to align each row precisely, ensuring the roof performs as designed.
How to Hire the Best
Long Island Roofing Contractor
County Roofing Systems
County Roofing Systems has over 35 years of experience as a Long Island roofing contractor. When it comes to high-quality roof installations, we leave no detail overlooked. With every roof replacement, we ensure that our work is built to endure Long Island’s demanding weather conditions. County Roofing takes pride in handling every project with precision, whether it’s a new roof, repairs, or complete replacements.
Unlike many other contractors, County Roofing Systems never outsources their work to subcontractors. This direct, in-house approach keeps communication clear. We handle every detail to the highest standard, from material quality to final cleanup. Our team uses only premium materials, like advanced asphalt shingle systems, ensuring roofs meet both structural and aesthetic goals. By offering competitive pricing alongside robust warranty options, County Roofing Systems helps homeowners get lasting value and peace of mind with every project.
People Also Ask...
To verify a contractor's license, ask for their license number and check with New York State’s Department of Consumer Affairs or Nassau and Suffolk County licensing boards. Contractors should also provide proof of liability and worker’s compensation insurance to protect= you in case of accidents or property damage.
Roofing warranties typically cover materials, and many contractors offer workmanship warranties as well. Look for a full warranty that covers both materials and labor to avoid unexpected costs if issues arise. Many reputable contractors, like County Roofing Systems, provide extended warranties for both quality assurance and customer peace of mind.
Reputable roofing contractors will manage permits and any necessary inspections, ensuring the project meets local codes. Confirm that your contractor will handle this, as ignoring permits can lead to fines and issues with home resale.
A typical roof replacement for an asphalt shingle roof can take between one and three days, depending on the size and complexity of the roof and weather conditions.
If your roof has minor damage and is relatively new, repair may be sufficient. However, older roofs or those with extensive issues are usually better candidates for full replacement, especially on Long Island, where seasonal weather can worsen existing damage.
Ask how the contractor handles clean-up and disposal, including debris removal, nail collection, and protection of your landscaping. Professional roofers, like those at County Roofing Systems, follow strict protocols to ensure your property is left clean and safe after the project.
We offer financing options including 0% down and 0% financing for up to 5 years. Additionally, some Long Island homeowners may qualify for low-interest loans through local or state programs to help cover roof replacement costs.
When you hire County Roofing to install your new asphalt shingle roof, you can get warranties for 30 years on workmanship and 50 years on materials.
In over 3 decades of contracting work on Long Island, we’ve worked with many local home equity lenders. Give us a call and we can help you make your old house look like a brand new home.
