What to Do When HOA Contractors Damage Your Roof

Living in an HOA community has real benefits, but it also means contractors you did not hire might be walking on your roof. When that work causes damage, you are not powerless.

It happens more often than you would think. A contractor comes through to clean gutters, inspect common areas, or make repairs. A few days later, you notice shingles in your yard or a new leak that was not there before. Suddenly you are dealing with damage you did not cause, wondering who is responsible and what to do next.

If you live in an HOA community in Lehigh County, Northampton County, or Berks County, here is what you need to know.

A Real Example from Right Here in the Lehigh Valley

We recently heard from a client who lives in an HOA community in Northampton County. Her HOA sent contractors up on every roof in the neighborhood for routine work. A few days later, she found shingles in her yard along with other roofing components that had never been loose before.

The contractors returned to "fix" the areas, but she grew concerned. Parts of her roof that had been fine for years were now showing problems. She wanted peace of mind that her roof was actually in good shape after all the activity.

She called us on a Wednesday. We came out Friday with our drone, completed the assessment in minutes, and showed her exactly what we found. No charge, no pressure. Just honest answers.

That is what an independent roof inspection should look like.

How HOA Contractor Damage Happens

HOA-hired contractors access your roof for all kinds of reasons. Gutter cleaning, pressure washing, antenna or satellite work, repairs to shared structures, or general inspections. Most of the time, everything goes fine. But problems happen when:

• Workers walk carelessly on shingles, cracking or dislodging them
• Tools or equipment get dropped, puncturing or scraping the surface
• Flashing around vents and chimneys gets disturbed
• Debris removal damages surrounding materials
• Work on adjacent units affects your roofline

The tricky part is that you might not notice the damage immediately. A displaced shingle or compromised seal can take weeks or one good rainstorm to reveal itself.

Warning Signs Something is Wrong After Contractor Work

After any HOA contractor activity in your community, keep an eye out for these red flags.

Exterior Signs

• Shingles or roofing debris in your yard
• Visible gaps, lifted edges, or misaligned shingles
• Flashing that looks bent or pulled away from chimneys and vents
• Granules accumulating in gutters more than usual

Interior Signs

• New water stains on ceilings or walls
• Musty smell in the attic
• Daylight visible through roof boards
• Dripping during or after rain

If your roof was fine before the contractors showed up and now it is not, that timing matters.

What to Do If You Suspect Damage

Step 1: Document Everything Immediately

Grab your phone and start taking photos today, not next week. Shoot wide angles showing the overall area, medium shots of the damage, and close-ups of specific problems. Get timestamps on everything.

If you have older photos of your roof in good condition, dig those up. Before-and-after documentation is powerful if you need to escalate.

Step 2: Contact Your HOA in Writing

Do not just call. Send an email or letter. Include the date you discovered the damage, photos of what you found, a clear statement that the damage appeared after contractor work, and a request for the contractor's insurance information.

Keep copies of everything. Written records create the paper trail you will need if this becomes a dispute.

Step 3: Get an Independent Roof Assessment

Here is the thing. Asking the contractor who may have caused the damage to assess their own work is not exactly unbiased. You need an independent evaluation from a trusted local roofer who has no stake in the outcome.

A professional inspection tells you whether damage actually exists and how severe it is, if the damage is consistent with recent contractor activity, what repairs are needed, and provides documentation you can use for insurance or HOA disputes.

At Valley Peak, we offer free roof inspections throughout Lehigh County, Northampton County, and Berks County. We use drone technology to capture detailed imagery without putting additional stress on your roof, and we will show you exactly what we find.

Step 4: Understand Your Options Under Pennsylvania Law

According to the PA Attorney General's office, Pennsylvania requires home improvement contractors to register with the state and carry minimum insurance coverage.

You can potentially pursue:

• The contractor's liability insurance which PA law requires them to carry
• The HOA itself if they failed to vet the contractor properly
• Your own homeowner's insurance if needed

The statute of limitations for property damage in Pennsylvania is two years, so do not sit on this indefinitely.

Why Drone Roof Inspections Matter for HOA Disputes

When our recent client came to us, we did not climb all over her roof, which could cause more problems. We sent up a drone.

Modern drone inspections capture high-resolution imagery showing individual shingles, comprehensive documentation from multiple angles, and timestamped evidence that holds up in disputes.

The whole process takes minutes, not hours. And because we are not walking on your roof, there is zero risk of additional damage during the inspection itself.

For HOA disputes specifically, drone footage provides objective, scaled evidence that is hard to argue with. It shows exactly what condition your roof was in on a specific date, which matters when you are trying to prove that damage occurred during a particular window.

How to Protect Yourself Before HOA Work Begins

If your HOA announces upcoming contractor work, take a few proactive steps.

Document Your Roof's Current Condition

Walk around your property and photograph your roof from multiple angles. Note the date. This "before" documentation is invaluable if something goes wrong.

Ask Questions

Request notification before any contractor accesses your specific roof. Find out what work is being done and by whom. Ask the HOA for the contractor's insurance certificate.

Verify the Contractor

Pennsylvania requires home improvement contractors to register with the Attorney General's office and carry minimum insurance. You can verify contractor registration or call 1-888-520-6680.

Know Your CC&Rs

Your HOA's Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions spell out responsibility boundaries. Understanding what the HOA is liable for and what falls on you helps you navigate disputes.

HOA Communities Are Growing Across the Lehigh Valley

This is not a niche issue. The Lehigh Valley has become one of Pennsylvania's fastest-growing regions for planned communities.

• Lehigh County alone has nearly 40 registered HOAs collecting over $19 million in annual dues
• Northampton County has dozens of active developments, with new communities appearing in Easton, Nazareth, and Forks Township
• Berks County is seeing similar growth, especially in active adult communities near Reading

Communities like Traditions of America, Riverview Estates, and developments throughout Macungie, Whitehall, and Bethlehem Township all involve HOA-managed maintenance. That means more contractors on more roofs and more opportunities for things to go sideways.

The Bottom Line

Living in an HOA community has real benefits, but it also means contractors you did not hire might be walking on your roof. When that work causes damage, you are not powerless.

Document everything. Communicate in writing. Get an independent assessment. And know that Pennsylvania law gives you legitimate options for recovery.

If you are dealing with this situation right now, or you just want peace of mind after recent contractor activity in your neighborhood, give us a call. We will take a look at no charge and tell you exactly what we find. And if there is damage, we can handle the roof repairs too.