The roofer who flashes every valley before they leave your property.

Key signs: your roof is 20+ years old (asphalt shingles), consistent granule loss in gutters, shingles curling, cracking, or missing in multiple areas, leaks in multiple locations, daylight visible through attic decking, or sagging roof sections. Get a professional inspection — many of these signs aren't visible from the ground. An inspector walking the roof with a checklist catches far more than a visual ground inspection.

For an average 2,000 sq ft home: architectural asphalt shingles $8,000–$15,000 installed. Impact-resistant shingles carry a 10–20% premium over standard. Metal standing seam: $15,000–$35,000. Clay tile: $20,000–$40,000. Factors affecting price include roof size (measured in squares — 100 sq ft each), pitch, story count, penetration count, local labor rates, and whether the decking needs replacement.

Most residential asphalt shingle replacements complete in 1–3 days. A crew of 4–6 workers typically completes a 2,000 sq ft roof in one day. Complex roofs (steep pitch, multiple levels, tile removal) take longer. Weather windows are required — quality contractors don't work in rain. Permitting required in most jurisdictions typically adds 1–5 business days before work can begin.

Hail-prone regions (TX, CO, KS, NE, OK): Class 4 impact-resistant shingles. Hot desert climates (AZ, NV, NM): concrete or clay tile, or stone-coated metal. Cold climates with heavy snow (MN, WI, MI): architectural shingles with proper ventilation and ice-and-water shield, or metal. Coastal hurricane-risk areas: high wind-rated shingles (130+ mph rating) with ring-shank nails. Ask your local contractor what holds up in your specific market.

Check: state contractor license, general liability insurance ($1M minimum), workers' compensation, and manufacturer certification (GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Preferred). Review local ratings going back 3+ years, BBB accreditation, and whether they pull permits. Get written estimates with material specifications — not just a total price. Ask for three local references from jobs completed in the last six months.

If your roof was damaged by a covered event (hail, wind, falling tree), most standard homeowner's policies cover this. Steps: document damage with photos before any repairs, contact your insurer to initiate the claim, get a roofing contractor's assessment (ideally before or alongside the adjuster's visit), and review the adjuster's report carefully. Your deductible is your out-of-pocket responsibility.

A roofing square equals 100 square feet of roof surface. Contractors measure the total roof area, not just the footprint of your home — a 2,000 sq ft house typically has 20–30 squares depending on pitch and complexity. Pitch affects actual surface area: a 12/12 pitch (45°) roof has 40% more surface area than a flat roof of the same footprint. Ask your contractor how they measured and how many squares your job covers.

Absolutely. A roof inspection before buying can reveal years of remaining life or imminent replacement cost. A standard home inspection gives roofing a brief visual check; a specialized roofing inspection walks every part and examines flashing, penetrations, decking (from the attic), and ventilation. If a roof is near end of life, request the seller either replace it or provide a credit at closing.

Ice dams form when heat escaping through the attic melts snow on the roof, which refreezes at the cold eave — backing water under shingles. Prevention: air-seal the attic floor (the most important step — stop heat from escaping), then add attic insulation to maintain a consistently cold roof temperature. Install ice-and-water shield membrane at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. Add heat cables on problem eaves as a short-term measure.

A quality installation should include: manufacturer's material warranty (25-year to lifetime depending on product tier), manufacturer's enhanced workmanship warranty (requires using a certified installer), and the contractor's own workmanship warranty (typically 2–10 years). Read what each covers: material warranties cover manufacturing defects; workmanship warranties cover installation errors. Keep all warranty documentation — you'll need it if you sell your home.

Flashing is sheet metal (typically aluminum or galvanized steel) installed at roof penetrations and transitions to prevent water intrusion. Critical flashing locations: chimney base and sides, pipe boots around plumbing vents, skylight perimeters, valleys between roof planes, and wall-to-roof intersections. Flashing failure — not shingle failure — is the most common source of roof leaks. Always ensure new roof installations include new or resealed flashing.

Most building codes allow one layer of shingles over existing shingles (2 layers total). Pros: saves tear-off labor and disposal cost. Cons: adds weight to your structure, prevents inspection of the decking for rot, produces a shorter-lived installation, and is prohibited by most manufacturer warranties. For a quality installation with proper warranties, tear-off is the standard recommendation.