Your Easy Guide to Roof Replacement
Wondering if it’s time to replace your old asphalt shingle roof? Answering all of your questions about deciding if you need a new roof plus when your home owner’s insurance will cover it.
My home is 15 years the asphalt shingles were showing signs of aging. I was scared to get a new roof because I thought I couldn’t afford it!
Luckily, the most qualified and professional roofing contractor came to my door. They taught me everything you need to know about replacing your roof.
Walking you through how to find a good contractor, roofing costs, getting it covered by home owner’s insurance, and what it’s like on roof replacement day!
To help you understand what goes into getting a new roof, I interviewed the reps who oversaw my roof replacement from Wide Meadow Roofing in Charlotte, NC.
They’re the experts who will help you understand when it’s time for a roof replacement and when your homeowners insurance will cover the costs.
Meagan Murphy is an insurance claim specialist helping clients get a full roof replacement due to storm damage.
Joshua Ernst is an insurance claim specialist as well as a project manager.
How do you know it’s time to repair or replace your roof?
Most of the time roofing contractors get calls in an emergency. Often after a major storm or a leak develops leaving water stains on your ceiling.
Say you don’t have any of these issues, but your home is older or you’ve had a weather event with hail or wind.
Here’s what Meagan says they see when roof is starting to fail.
signs you need to replace the roof or have storm damage:
- Missing shingles.
- Gutters or downspouts have any dings.
- Holes in your window screens.
- Algae streaks (they start to occur in 7 to 10 years).
- Sagging gutters (shingle granular loss).
At my home, I had ALL of the above issues and actually THOUGHT it was do to failing gutters. After my gutter contractor cleaned out the gutters and repaired issues they found, I still was seeing issues.
After the roof inspection, I found out it was the failing roof that was contributing to my water issues. My roof has been hit many times over it’s life with hail, which sped up the granule loss on my asphalt shingles.
What is the average lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof?
Shingles are typically rated between 30 to 50 years, but that’s in a PERFECT environment. Of course we know that our roofs are not in a perfect environment in real life.
The more storms or more intense the climate is, the less likely the roof will last the full 30 to 50 year lifespan.
Joshua says “Typically we see roofs last about half the projected life or that’s the time when you’ll start to have problems with the roof. That’s around 10 to 15, sometimes 20 years if it’s closer to a 50 year shingle.”
What is the best way to find a good roofing contractor?
I asked Meagan and Joshua the best way to find not only a qualified roofing contractor, but also a professional roofing contracting company?
Meagan says “Of course you have Google, but I always say word of mouth is everything! Talk to your neighbors, friends, your family and see who they’ve used in the past.
But then you also want somebody in the roofing industry that knows how to handle the insurance company for you if you’re going to go that route.”
This will prevent issues when it is time to file your claim for a roof replacement. Meagan also notes “They’ll say that they have insurance claims experience just to get the job, but then when it comes to a denial, they just walk away from the client and leave them hanging and don’t have any fight in them to get that overturn.”
It’s important to hire a roofing claims expert and find our their experience level dealing with insurance companies. Not all contractors are created equal in this industry.
Meagan shared “I always tell people that and you want someone who is going to have your back and guide you through the whole process and fight the claim if needed if you’re wrongfully denied for any reasons.”
NOTE: Every state has their own roofing regulations. Rely on your local roofing company to be your guide.
What qualifications should I look for in a roofing company?
- Specific experience filing home owners insurance claims and winning
- The company has taken steps to be certified with shingle manufacturers
- Roof replacements with full system implementation (i.e. all layers from CertainTeed)
- Website presence with real life testimonials from happy customers
A shingle manufacturer certification is always a good sign. They go through a extensive testing process. Manufacturers don’t just hand out those certifications very easily.
Hiring someone that’s actually trained to put on the type of shingle directly from the manufacturer and taken that training is also very important.
You want them to put on a full roofing system with high quality roofing material. You don’t want generic products or cut any corners with lower quality roofing materials like a cheap underlayment for instance.
Does homeowner’s insurance cover the cost roof replacement?
Yes! Most home owner’s policies will cover the roof replacement costs less your deductible. Typically deductibles range from $1,000 to $2,500.
Make sure to check your policy for your deductible before starting this process, so you aren’t surprised. Also, make sure your home owner’s policy covers storm damaged shingles as a claim option.
The insurance industry is changing. More and more they are trying to deny storm damage as a basis for a roof replacement. Or as you renew changing the language or deductible.
Meagan offers what they’re hearing about upcoming insurance company policy updates, “Things are changing in the industry because they’re trying to figure out ways to not have to pay for damage claims. They’re trying to make it harder on the insured by changing policy language and deductibles.”
Joshua adds “They’re changing the way that they handle storm damage claims with higher deductibles or percentage of the home value deductibles and rather than the standard $1,000 to $2,500 dollar deductible. You may be looking at it $10,000 to $15,000 deductible with these policies.”
His advice is to always READ your policy before signing to know what is covered in the event of a storm damaged roof replacement.
What will my insurance company need for full roof replacement coverage?
Every insurance company is going to be a bit different in their requirements for a claim. That’s why it’s so important to find a local roofing company that has experience working with insurance companies on your behalf.
They will know not only what to provide for a claim, but will also have worked with or have relationships with the insurance adjusters.
- Initial inspection report and photos from the contractor.
- Documented storm dates with high wind and hail.
In addition, it’s IMPORTANT that your contractor is on the roof with your claims adjuster to walk through the damage they reported.
That way the insurance company is held accountable. It would be easy for them to deny coverage without the support of a roof contractor walking through what they found.
You would be at the insurance company’s mercy by not having a representative up on the roof that has your back.
Joshua astutely told me “The insurance companies aren’t roofing experts they specialize in insurance. It’s very very important to make sure that you have a knowledgeable contractor who understands the repair scope.”
Wondering if your home owner’s insurance will go up, if you file a claim for a new roof?
It’s not like car insurance Meagan let us know “They can’t penalize you for this type of claim because it’s considered a catastrophic claim. It’s not something that you as the insured did out of negligence could have prevented.”
If insurance won’t cover replacing the old roof, what is the average cost per square foot?
In roofing everything by 10 foot squares or a roofing square. That’s a 10 by 10 foot area or 100 square feet.
On average the cost of one square (100 square feet) is typically between $400 to $600 per square. So if you have a 20 square roof, you’re looking at around $12,000 dollars retail price
Other things that can increase or decrease the roofing costs:
- Replacing all the flashing how much flashing is there?
- Is is just a shingle replacement or a full roof?
- Are any repairs needed do to structural damage?
It’s important to know that the cost of roof replacements doubles every 5 years plus the cost of labor. Once your home hits 10 years, it is a good idea to get annual inspections.
Once you’ve had enough storm damage, you can then file a claim.
Will the roofer repair damage they find or do I need a different contractor?
Most reputable contractors will include simple repairs in the roof replacement cost. If there isn’t any obvious damage causing leaks, it is likely the overall roof structure is sound.
Make sure to ask this question, when you receive the roof replacement cost. Did they only include the roofing materials and labor or is there also room for repairs.
Should I replace some of the asphalt shingles myself?
Thinking of a DIY roof replacement of your old roof? STOP there are consequences to trying to save a few bucks by repairing the roofing material yourself.
You may be voiding the manufacturer’s warranty by violating their installation guidelines and violating building code.
While the roofing costs will be less, you may face trouble down the line.
What is the downside of a partial roof replacement?
Say your insurance only wants to replace or repair 12 shingles. Is this going to be OK? Different states have different rules around whether the shingles have to be replaced with the same color.
Many allow “like” replacement without concern about the color. Yikes! However, any area being replaced with just new shingles can be a problem.
Joshua explains “You need to make sure that the manufacturer allows that. Manufacturers will put out technical bulletins letters saying hey, we’ve made a sizing change or a technology change. Do not mix our new product with previously existing products on the market.”
Again, you could be voiding the manufacturer’s warranty and create problems down the road. If you can, replace all roofing materials.
Choosing Shingle Color for Your New Roof
OK, the FUN part picking your new roofing shingles and finding that perfect color.
What is MOST important is to compare the shingle asphalt shingle color to your exterior paint color.
You want to pick a complementary color with you home’s paint color. My home is a dark blue, so I chose CertainTeed Pewter colored shingles.
The previous shingles appeared to be Georgetown Gray, which was too warm for the paint color.
Tips to choosing the right shingle color:
- Look for your home’s paint color in the flecks of the shingle.
- If you home is a warm or cool color, choose a shingle in the same undertone.
- Pay attention the OVERALL color of the shingles together. Typically your roof will have a gray, tan or black appearance based on the asphalt shingles you choose.
You can see how the CertainTeed Pewter shingles complement my home’s paint color.
I LOVE the new color of roof shingle and how it works perfectly with the blue siding, black shutters and white trim.
What is the roof replacement process?
Getting an entire roof replaced is quite and experience! I’ll walk you through what happens as they take off those old asphalt shingles.
Steps replacing a roof:
The shingles are delivered either the day before or day of on a pallet. Make sure you have room in your driveway for them to be delivered and for the dumpster the day of installation.
Multiple workers will arrive at your home to set up. They will protect the sides of your home with a catchall system and try to protect your landscaping.
You old roof system will be removed down to the particle board. That starts with the ridge vent, down to the roof sheathing. If an roof repair is needed, it will be tackled at this time.
Everything is tossed off the side of your roof onto the ground or into a dumpster. It’s crazy to see how the workers maneuver the roof like it’s no big deal!
Each layer is installed from the underlayment with LOTS of nailing. The roof installation process is pretty straight forward as they apply the shingles and seal in everything.
How should I prepare for roof replacement day?
Be prepared the DAY BEFORE your contractor arrives! I didn’t do this and the team arrived at my home early…I was still in my PJs.
Pull inside anything that is close to the house you don’t want to get dirty or damage. Like cushions and pillows or outdoor decor.
If you have potted plants that are small, take those inside or put them in your garage to protect them. Once the roofers get started, they are tossing old roof materials to the ground around the entire exterior of your home!
A professional roofing contractor will bring the roofing materials and set up a dumpster for the old asphalt shingle and debris. Plus protect your landscaping and siding as much as possible.
Tips for roofing day:
- Move your car out of your garage.
- Create space for the dumpster and materials in your driveway.
- Take in smaller outdoor decor and potted plants.
- Store all cushions and pillows indoors.
- Have a storage attic? Cover over valuables. LOTS of debris and dirt will end up in your attic.
- Work from home? Don’t installation day it’s LOUD.
If you keep your car in your garage, move it out to the street! You won’t be able to get in or out of your garage. Luckily, my roof replacement only took one day – they started around 7:30am and finished by 4pm.
Because I was writing this story, I stayed home to “experience” the full effect of roof replacement. Should you? NO!
It feels like an army has descended upon your roof! Lots of banging and pounding, then nailing. My pictures were crooked by the end of the day.
Work from home? If you plan to stay home, don’t schedule any video calls. It’s that loud! Work at an alternate location instead.
It looked like the mess all day, but by the time the roofers left you wouldn’t know they were ever there. They even used a magnet to find roofing nails too!
Local to Charlotte, NC? Contact Meagan Murphy at Wide Meadow Roofing for your FREE inspection: (704) 495-0876 or use your camera to scan the QR Code
Final thoughts on replacing a roof
What I can tell you is that finding a professional roof contractor is key to a good experience on roof replacement day! That made everything EASY for me. I never had to get involved with the insurance process other than to get the check out of my mailbox.
If you want to file a claim through your homeowners insurance, it’s even MORE important to find a contractor who is well connected in your local area.
They will know the ins and outs of the local insurance adjustors. They will help you with everything you need to claim damaged shingles are evident on the MAJORITY of the roof. My roof replacement was fully covered by home owner’s insurance less deductible.
My contractor team met with me AHEAD of time to take me through the roof replacement cost, how much insurance was covering, my obligation and gave me tips for getting ready for roof replacement day.
Hopefully, this helped better understand how the full process works for when you think you need a new roof!
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This was a good post about roofing however I would like to say each State is different. In Texas so many homeowners took advantage of hail storms to get their roofs replaced for free that in some instances they waited knowing they needed a new roof due to age until the next big hail storm. I lived there 25 years and know this was the norm for years. However now insurance rates are so high and the insurance companies have become
less likely to pay for a new roof if it is a certain age because it was ready to be replaced soon. This was caused by lack of state oversight on roofing contractors and greedy homeowners. I had a new roof put on my home before I sold it but I did not file a claim as the roof was almost twenty years old. The insurance industry may say that they can’t raise your rates due to claims due to weather but the people who got hit with the freeze where some water pipes broke in certain areas have all seen their homeowners insurance skyrocket. It made no difference if they had a claim or not. I would just caution it depends on where you live and how regulated the insurance industry may be in your state.
All good points!
Good information Tracey. You may want to include what you may expect if you have attic storage space. In my experience it was a mess up there with small pieces of wood everywhere. If I had known I could have laid plastic to prevent some of the mess.
Yes! Meagan mentions that in the video. Just added it! Thanks.