FAQ
Straight answers
The questions homeowners actually ask, answered without a sales pitch. If yours is not here, call us.
General questions
How much does a new roof cost?
Cost is driven by roof size, pitch, and complexity, so any firm number quoted without measuring is a guess. We measure the roof, inspect the attic, and give you a written line-item estimate at no charge, with the actual materials named rather than a single lump sum.
Is the inspection really free?
Yes, for homeowners in our service area, with no obligation. You get the full photo report and our written assessment of remaining roof life whether or not you hire us.
How long does a roof replacement take?
Most single-family homes in the Charlotte area are torn off and reroofed in one day. Larger homes, steep or complex rooflines, and jobs with significant decking replacement run two to three days.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Our North Carolina license number is TODO-NC-LICENSE-00000, and we carry liability and workers' compensation coverage. Ask any contractor for both, and verify rather than taking their word for it.
What warranty do you offer?
A 5-year craftsmanship warranty from us on the installation, plus manufacturer coverage on the materials running up to 20 years depending on the product line. Both come to you in writing at the end of the job — they cover different things and a roof needs both.
Do you require a deposit?
We do not ask for a large deposit up front. Payment terms are stated in the written estimate before you sign anything. Be wary of any contractor demanding substantial money before work begins, particularly after a storm.
What areas do you serve?
Primarily the Charlotte metro and the surrounding areas, on both the North and South Carolina sides of the line. We travel further into the Carolinas when the job warrants it, but we do not publish a town list or a mileage figure — how far a job is worth travelling depends on the job as much as the distance. Send us the address and we will tell you straight away.
Do you do more than roofing?
Roofing is our core trade and the majority of what we do. We also handle siding, seamless gutters, and exterior painting — most often alongside a roof project, since the transitions between those systems are where water problems usually start.
What if I have an emergency right now?
Call us at (555) 123-4567 and tell us it is an emergency — active leaks and storm damage go to the front of the queue. We can tarp an active leak to stop interior damage and return to do the permanent repair in dry conditions.
Roof Replacement
See the full page →How long does a roof replacement take?
Most single-family homes in this area are torn off and reroofed in one day. Larger homes, steep or complex rooflines, and jobs with significant decking replacement can run two to three days. We give you a realistic schedule at the estimate rather than an optimistic one.
Do I need to be home during the work?
No. Most of our customers are at work during the install. We do ask that you move vehicles out of the driveway and let us know about anything fragile near the house or in the attic.
What happens if you find rotted decking?
We photograph it, show you, and replace it. Decking condition genuinely cannot be known until the old shingles are off, so our estimates state the per-sheet price for replacement up front. That way it is a known number rather than a surprise, and you are never quoted a rate after the fact.
Will my landscaping be damaged?
We tarp beds and shrubs before tear-off and magnet-sweep the entire property afterward, including the driveway and lawn. If something does get damaged, we make it right — that is what the workmanship warranty is for.
How much does a new roof cost?
It depends almost entirely on size, pitch, and complexity, so any contractor quoting a firm price without measuring is guessing. We measure the roof, inspect the attic, and give you a written line-item estimate at no cost so you have a real number to work with.
Roof Repair
See the full page →How much does a roof repair cost?
Most straightforward residential repairs — a failed pipe boot, a section of blown-off shingles, minor flashing work — land in the low hundreds. Chimney reflashing and valley rebuilds cost more. We inspect and quote in writing before doing anything.
Can you match my existing shingles?
Usually closely, rarely perfectly. Shingle colors are discontinued over time and existing shingles weather. We get as close as the market allows and show you the match before installing. On a highly visible slope, that trade-off is worth discussing before you commit.
Should I repair or replace?
It comes down to the age of the roof and whether the damage is localized. Under roughly twelve years with isolated damage, repair. Past eighteen years with damage across multiple slopes, replace. In between, it is a real judgment call and we will show you the photos and walk through the economics with you.
Do you offer emergency repairs?
Yes. Active leaks and storm damage go to the front of the queue, and we can tarp to stop interior damage until conditions allow a permanent repair.
Storm & Hail Damage
See the full page →Will filing a claim raise my premium?
That is a question for your agent, not your roofer, and the honest answer is that it depends on your carrier, your policy, and your claims history. Many carriers treat weather-related claims differently from liability claims. Ask your agent directly before filing.
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim?
It varies by carrier and policy — some allow a year, some longer, some less. Because the window is real and the damage is often invisible from the ground, the practical advice is to get the roof inspected soon after a significant storm rather than waiting for a leak.
Do you cover my deductible?
No, and no reputable contractor in North Carolina will. Paying, waiving, or rebating a customer’s insurance deductible is illegal here. Any contractor offering to do it is telling you something important about how they operate.
What if my claim is denied?
A denial is not always final. If we documented damage the adjuster did not scope, we can supply the photographs and reporting to support a re-inspection. If the damage genuinely is not there, we will tell you that rather than pushing an appeal that will not succeed.
Can you tarp my roof?
Yes, and it is the first thing we do when water is actively coming in. Call and tell us it is an emergency — tarping stops interior damage while conditions are unsafe or too wet for a permanent repair.
Roof Inspections
See the full page →Is the inspection really free?
Yes, for homeowners in our service area, with no obligation and no charge for the report or photos. We do it because a meaningful share of inspections turn into work, and because homeowners who get an honest assessment tend to come back and to refer us.
How long does it take?
Typically 45 minutes to an hour for a standard residential roof, including attic access and photo documentation. Larger or complex roofs take longer.
Do I need to be home?
For the roof itself, no. We do need attic access to complete the full inspection, so someone needs to let us in for that portion. We can also do the exterior first and schedule attic access separately.
What if you find nothing wrong?
Then we tell you the roof is in good shape, give you the photos and an estimate of remaining life, and you go on with your day. That happens regularly and it is a completely normal outcome.
Metal Roofing
See the full page →How long does a metal roof last?
A properly installed standing seam system will realistically last 40 to 60 years in this climate. Exposed fastener panels last 25 to 40 years, with fastener gasket maintenance somewhere around the 15-to-20-year point.
Does a metal roof attract lightning?
No. This is a persistent myth. Metal does not attract lightning, and because it is non-combustible and conductive, a metal roof is generally considered a marginally safer outcome if a strike does occur.
Will hail dent a metal roof?
Large hail can dent metal panels, particularly thinner-gauge material. In most cases the denting is cosmetic and the roof remains watertight — which is the reverse of asphalt, where hail damage is often invisible but compromises the roof. Heavier gauge and textured finishes reduce visible denting.
Can you install metal over my existing shingles?
It is physically possible and some contractors do it. We do not, for the same reason we do not lay asphalt over asphalt — it hides the condition of the deck under a roof intended to last half a century.
Is a metal roof cheaper to insure?
Sometimes. Some carriers offer credits for impact-resistant or fire-resistant roofing. It is worth asking your agent specifically, since the discount varies considerably between carriers.
Siding
See the full page →Can you replace just the damaged section?
Often, yes. The limiting factor is color matching — vinyl fades over time and profiles get discontinued. We will show you the match before installing so you can decide whether a partial repair is acceptable on a visible elevation.
Should I do siding and roofing at the same time?
If both are due, yes. The flashing between them is shared work, staging happens once, and you avoid paying twice for the same setup. It is also the only way to be confident the transitions are done correctly.
Is siding damage covered by insurance?
Storm damage typically is; rot from age and moisture typically is not. We document what we find and you can take that to your carrier.
Gutters
See the full page →Do gutter guards mean I never clean my gutters?
No, and any company promising that is overselling. Good guards dramatically reduce cleaning frequency and prevent clogs, but debris still accumulates on top of the guard and should be cleared periodically.
Should I get 5-inch or 6-inch gutters?
Five-inch handles most homes. Six-inch is worth it on steep roofs, very large roof areas, or homes where the existing gutters overflow in heavy rain despite being clean — the extra capacity solves that.
Can you replace gutters at the same time as the roof?
Yes, and that is the right sequence. New drip edge goes in during the roof install and integrates properly with new gutters, and doing both at once means one setup rather than two.
Exterior Painting
See the full page →How long will an exterior paint job last?
With proper prep and quality exterior paint, seven to ten years on most surfaces in this climate. South- and west-facing elevations take the most UV and typically show wear first.
Do you repair rotted wood before painting?
Always. Painting over rot hides it and the damage keeps progressing underneath. We identify rot during the estimate so it is in the written scope rather than becoming a change order.
Can you paint vinyl siding?
Yes, with vinyl-safe paint formulated to stay within the material’s heat absorption limits. Painting vinyl a color darker than the original can cause it to warp, so color choice is genuinely constrained here and we will walk you through it.
Still have a question?
Call and talk to someone who actually works on roofs. No call center, no script.