Best Residential Roofing Contractors in Philadelphia
The 7 best residential roofing contractors serving Philadelphia, PA — independently researched and ranked. No paid placements.
Residential roofing in Philadelphia spans asphalt shingles, metal, tile, and flat systems for houses, townhomes, and small multi-family buildings. The 7 contractors below were selected from our full Philadelphia top 10 as the strongest for residential work, ranked by experience, manufacturer certifications, BBB standing, and verified reputation.
Philadelphia's residential roofing market is defined by the rowhouse — the attached brick and masonry construction form that characterizes Fishtown, South Philly, Kensington, and dozens of other dense urban neighborhoods. These structures carry flat or very low-slope roofs over the rear addition and often a pitched front section, requiring contractors who can work competently across both roof geometries within a single property. The party-wall construction also means that water infiltration rarely stays contained to one unit, making timely and accurate residential roof assessment a neighbor-relations matter as well as a property maintenance obligation.
Philadelphia sits in a full four-season climate where winter freeze-thaw cycling, spring nor'easter events, humid summer thunderstorms, and autumn wind episodes each impose distinct stresses on roofing systems. The city's large historic district inventory — Fairmount Park-adjacent Victorian homes, Society Hill townhouses, and German Village bungalows — adds preservation overlay considerations to many residential replacement decisions. A qualified residential roofing contractor in Philadelphia navigates these intersecting demands: the right materials, the correct permits through the Department of Licenses and Inspections, and, where applicable, review under the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
Also known as Ed Shinn General Roofing, The General Roofing & Contracting Co. holds the oldest continuous BBB A+ accreditation of any Philadelphia roofing contractor in this directory — accredited since October 31, 1988, representing over 37 uninterrupted years of BBB standing. With tri-manufacturer certification status across GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed simultaneously, the company offers manufacturer-backed warranty access from all three of the industry’s dominant material brands. Based on Ridge Avenue in the Roxborough/Manayunk corridor, the company has spent nearly four decades specializing in the traditional row homes, twins, and older housing stock that defines Northwest Philadelphia. Led by President Edmond G. Shinn, the company is registered under PA HIC# PA059869.
Most Established — Top 3% of All PA Licensed Contractors
ExperienceSince 1984 (41+ Years)
BBB StatusA+ Accredited Since October 1990 (35+ Years)
SpecialtyGAF Certified, HIC# PA084332
Service Area(215) 482-4445
In business since 1984 and BBB A+ accredited continuously since October 1990, Henkel Roofing is one of the two most tenured roofing contractors in Philadelphia with active BBB standing. Led by President Joseph P. Henkel, the company has earned a BuildZoom score of 112 — placing it in the top 3% of all licensed contractors across Pennsylvania, a metric derived from permit volume, contractor licensing history, and project scope. With 133+ permitted projects in Philadelphia documented in recent years and 41 years of experience concentrated in the Manayunk, Roxborough, and Wissahickon neighborhoods, Henkel has deep institutional familiarity with the row homes, semi-detached twins, and older housing stock of Northwest Philadelphia. GAF certified with residential and commercial roofing, siding, gutters, and skylight capabilities.
Philadelphia’s Longest-Running Roofer — Since 1969
ExperienceSince 1969 (56+ Years)
BBB StatusA+ Accredited (BBB file since 1974)
SpecialtyPA Licensed, HIC# PA070196
Service Area(215) 487-7000
Murphy Roofing has been in continuous operation since 1969 — more than 56 years — making it the longest-running roofing company in Philadelphia by tenure. Founded by Bill Murphy, a Roxborough native and Vietnam veteran who started the business at age 21, the company has evolved into a true multi-generational operation involving two sons (Michael and Shawn), a nephew, and a grandson. Their BBB file dates to 1974, reflecting five decades of market presence in the community. The company’s Roxborough base on Ridge Avenue has served the densely-knit Northwest Philadelphia neighborhoods as a trusted, locally-owned alternative to larger regional contractors. Services span shingle roofing, flat roofing, siding, gutters, skylights, chimney repairs, and roof snow removal across Northeast Philadelphia, Germantown, Mount Airy, Southwest Philadelphia, and parts of Montgomery County.
Best Church & Copper Work — Custom Metal Fabrication
ExperienceSince 1983 (43+ Years)
BBB StatusA+ Accredited (Since January 2011)
SpecialtyPA Licensed, HIC# PA056920
Service Area(215) 535-4299
A second-generation family business since 1983, Joe Fisher & Sons Roofing occupies a specialized niche within Philadelphia’s roofing market: church, chapel, and ornate structure roofing, paired with heavy-gauge custom copper and metal fabrication. Custom copper work demands craftsmanship well beyond standard residential roofing, and few Philadelphia contractors maintain this capability over 43+ continuous years. Their flat roof expertise spans TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, and hot-asphalt systems. Service area coverage extends across Philadelphia into Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware counties (PA) and Camden County (NJ) — one of the broader footprints on this list. Additional services include storm damage repair and roof snow removal.
Church RoofingCustom Copper WorkFlat RoofingTPO / EPDMShingle RoofingMetal FabricationStorm Damage
Philadelphia Rowhouse Flat Roof Specialist — Since 1980
ExperienceSince 1980 (46+ Years)
BBB StatusA+ Accredited (Since December 2022)
SpecialtyPA Licensed, Philadelphia License #050327, HIC# PA131754
Service Area(215) 533-3333
The Roof Doctor is the only contractor in this directory to explicitly and exclusively market Philadelphia rowhouse flat roofs as its core specialty. Founded in 1980 and operating from a Sansom Street address in Rittenhouse Square — the heart of Philadelphia’s dense urban rowhouse corridor — the company has spent 46 years focused on the rubber roofing, roof deck installations, and skylight work that rowhouse owners in Center City, Graduate Hospital, Society Hill, and surrounding neighborhoods require. The company is a small specialist rather than a high-volume contractor, positioning it as the go-to for urban homeowners who want a roofer with deep, local, flat-roof-specific knowledge rather than a generalist. Current ownership (Harry E. Rohlfing Jr., CEO) took over in 2013.
Rowhouse Flat RoofsRubber RoofingRoof Deck InstallationSkylightsSun TunnelsResidentialCenter City Focus
Big Joe’s Roofing brands itself explicitly as a “Philly Rowhouse Specialist” — one of only two contractors in this directory to make rowhouse expertise its primary marketing position. Founded in 2018 by Joe Gagne, who brings 20+ years of prior roofing experience, the company has built a 400+ Google review record at 4.9 stars in just eight years — a volume and rating that exceeds most longer-tenured competitors. Operating primarily from Northeast Philadelphia with active coverage across Fishtown, Center City, South Philly, and Manayunk, the company is accessible across the full Philadelphia geography. Services include shingle roofing, flat rubber roofing (EPDM repair), roof replacement, skylight repair, residential and commercial, and siding and gutters. Licensed in both PA and NJ with 24/7 availability.
Rowhouse RoofingFlat RoofingEPDM RepairShingle RoofingSkylightsSiding & Gutters24/7 Available
GAF Master Elite — Golden Pledge Warranty Authorized
ExperienceSince 2020 (6+ Years)
BBB StatusA+ Accredited (Since April 2021)
SpecialtyGAF Master Elite, HIC# PA163026
Service Area(267) 764-7663
Alpha Roofing and Siding holds the single highest manufacturer credential of any contractor in this directory: GAF Master Elite certification, held by fewer than 2% of roofing contractors nationwide. This designation requires proper state licensing, adequate insurance, a strong reputation, and passing a quality certification exam — and it unlocks the GAF Golden Pledge Limited Warranty, providing the most comprehensive residential roofing warranty available: 50-year material coverage and 25-year workmanship coverage, including factory inspection. Despite being the youngest contractor on this list (founded 2020), Alpha Roofing’s Master Elite status is a meaningful differentiator for homeowners who prioritize the highest available warranty protection. Based in Port Richmond, they serve Philadelphia and commercial clients into New Jersey.
When Philadelphia's Rowhouse Density, Historic Districts, and Full Four-Season Climate Shape Every Residential Roofing Choice
When a Rowhouse Flat or Low-Slope Section Needs Attention
Philadelphia rowhouses typically combine a low-slope rear section with a pitched front, and the flat section is the more frequent maintenance concern. A residential specialist understands the modified bitumen and TPO systems suited to these small urban flat-roof footprints, including the access constraints that require hand-carried materials and specialized equipment in the narrow rowhouse context. Improper flat-roof repairs on a rowhouse frequently result in lateral water migration into adjacent properties.
When the Property Falls Within a Historic District or Conservation Overlay
The Philadelphia Historical Commission reviews exterior alterations to contributing and individually designated properties, including roofing material changes visible from the public right-of-way. A residential roofing contractor who has navigated this process can advise on which shingle profiles, slate alternatives, and metal roofing products have approval precedent in specific historic districts, avoiding the rework costs that arise from an unapproved specification.
When a Church, Specialty Structure, or Complex Roof Geometry Is Involved
Philadelphia's residential neighborhoods include churches, chapels, and ornate Victorian structures with turrets, dormers, and complex metal-flashing details that require specialized craft expertise. Not all residential contractors carry the copper and lead-coated copper flashing skills that these structures demand. Vetting for specialty certifications and portfolio examples of comparable work is essential before contracting this category of residential roofing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many residential roofing contractors are in Philadelphia?
Our directory lists 7 independently verified residential roofing contractors serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ranked by experience, certifications and reputation. The General Roofing & Contracting Co. is ranked #1. There are no paid placements.
How do I choose a residential roofer in Philadelphia?
Confirm licensing and insurance for Pennsylvania, ask for residential project references in Philadelphia, get multiple written quotes, and check each contractor's BBB standing. Every company listed here has been independently researched.
What permits does the City of Philadelphia require for residential roof replacement?
The City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections requires a building permit for full residential roof replacements, including both material specification approval and post-installation inspection. Properties within historic districts may require separate Historical Commission review before L&I will issue the permit. Working with a licensed Pennsylvania home improvement contractor who regularly pulls permits through the Philadelphia L&I system is the most reliable way to ensure compliance and avoid stop-work orders or retroactive correction demands.
How do Philadelphia winters affect residential roofing systems?
Philadelphia's winters deliver a mix of heavy snow, freezing rain, and ice events that create ice dam conditions on steep-pitch sections and load stress on flat rear sections. Older rowhouses with minimal attic insulation are particularly susceptible to ice dam formation, which forces water under the shingle course at the eave. A residential contractor can address this through ice-and-water shield underlayment at vulnerable eave zones and, where attic access permits, insulation improvements that reduce the roof-surface temperature differential driving ice dam formation.
What roofing materials are most common on Philadelphia residential properties?
Three-tab and architectural asphalt shingles dominate pitched-roof residential replacements across Philadelphia's large rowhouse and twin-home inventory. Flat and low-slope sections typically use modified bitumen or TPO membranes. Slate is present on older Victorian and pre-war properties in Chestnut Hill, Germantown, and Society Hill, and qualified slate restoration contractors serve this niche separately from the general residential market. Metal standing-seam has grown in adoption on contemporary residential infill and accessory structure additions throughout the city.