Find Local Roofing Pros Near You

A repair usually works when damage is limited to one area and the rest of the roof is in good shape. A replacement makes more sense when problems are spread out or the roof is near the end of its life.

Things a roofer will look at:

• Age: a roof close to the end of its expected life often has more wear than one spot repair can fix.
• How widespread the damage is: a few missing shingles is a repair; curling, cracking, or bare spots across many slopes point to replacement.
• Leaks: one leak at a vent or chimney is often a flashing repair. Leaks in several places suggest the roof itself is failing.
• Decking: soft or sagging areas can mean the boards under the shingles are rotting.
• Layers: if there are already two layers of shingles, local code may require a full tear-off.
• Weather exposure: hail, high wind, heavy snow, and strong sun all shorten roof life.

Signs to call a roofer:

• Missing, cracked, curling, or buckling shingles
• Lots of shingle granules in your gutters
• Water stains on ceilings or in the attic, or daylight through roof boards
• Sagging areas on the roof
• Damaged flashing around chimneys, vents, or skylights

After a major storm, look at the roof from the ground or with binoculars rather than climbing up. If you see damage, photograph it and have a roofer inspect it. If you plan an insurance claim, only your insurer decides coverage; the roofer can document the damage for you to submit.

The right material depends on your climate, the style of your home, how much upkeep you want, and what your roof framing can carry. Ask each roofer how the options hold up in your local weather.

Actual life depends on climate, attic ventilation, installation, and storm exposure. If you are switching to a heavier material, ask whether the roof structure needs to be checked first.

Licensing rules for roofers differ by state. Some states license roofing contractors directly, some cover them under a general contractor license, and some leave it to cities or counties. Check with your state contractor board, and your city or county if the state does not license roofers.

Steps the Federal Trade Commission recommends in its home improvement guide:

• Get several written estimates that list the materials, the work, and the completion date.
• Ask for proof of insurance.
• Get a contract with the company's name, address, phone, and license number, and every promise in writing.

Be careful with door-to-door roofers after storms. The FTC warns about contractors who show up saying they are "in the area," push for a same-day decision, or offer to use materials left over from another job.

Ask each roofer:

• Will you remove the old roof or install over it?
• How will you handle rotted decking you find, and how will you tell me before replacing it?
• Whose warranty covers the shingles, and whose covers the labor? Get both in writing.
• Who pulls the permit and schedules the final inspection?
• How will you protect my yard, plants, and driveway during the work?

Swupi connects you with independent local roofing companies. You compare quotes and choose on your own. Learn how Swupi works.

A roof replacement follows a set order. Your roofer's process may differ a little.

1. Inspection and quote: the roofer measures the roof, checks the attic for leaks and ventilation, and gives a written quote.
2. Permit and materials: the roofer usually pulls the permit and schedules delivery. Ask where materials and the dumpster will go.
3. Tear-off: old shingles and underlayment come off. Expect noise and debris.
4. Decking check: soft or rotted roof boards are replaced. Agree in advance on how the roofer will show you any decking that needs work.
5. New roof: underlayment, flashing, vents, and the new roofing go on.
6. Cleanup and inspection: the site is cleaned, often with a magnet sweep for nails, and the local inspector may sign off.

Many asphalt roofs on average homes take one to three days, weather permitting. Larger roofs and metal or tile take longer.

Before work starts, move cars out of the driveway, take fragile items off walls, and cover things stored in the attic. Keep children and pets away from the work area while the crew is on the roof.

Once you share your project with Swupi, here is what usually happens:

1. A company contacts you: an independent local roofing company that serves your area reaches out to learn more about the job.
2. Inspection: the roofer looks at the roof and attic in person. Ask them to show you photos of any damage they find.
3. Written quote: you get a written quote that describes the work, materials, and timeline.
4. Compare and decide: read each quote side by side, ask questions, and take your time. You are never obligated to hire anyone.
5. Schedule: if you hire a roofer, you agree on the scope and start date directly with the company.

Have a few details ready when a roofer calls: the roof's approximate age, any leaks you have noticed, and photos of damage taken from the ground.

A roof lasts longest when water drains off it fast and air moves under it.

• Keep gutters clear: clogged gutters let water back up under the roof edge. See our gutter guide for signs and care.
• Trim branches: keep limbs away from the roof to limit scraping, leaf buildup, and storm damage.
• Check after storms: look for missing shingles or loose flashing from the ground.
• Look in the attic: once or twice a year, check for water stains, damp insulation, or daylight.
• Watch ventilation: a hot, stuffy attic or ice dams in winter can point to poor ventilation or insulation.
• Fix small problems early: a cracked vent boot or a few missing shingles is a small repair. Left alone, it can lead to rotted decking and ceiling damage.

Keep your roof paperwork together: the contract, permit, and both the manufacturer and labor warranties. Some warranties require the roof to be registered or inspected, so read the terms. If you plan to sell, buyers and inspectors often ask for the roof's age and records.

If moisture reaches the inside of the house, it can affect ceilings, walls, and floors, so act early.