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FAQ

    • How much does a new roof cost?

      Roofs can vary greatly in cost even for the same size house. The largest variable in determining the cost of your new roof is the type of material you select. The affordable, popular current options are asphalt shingles. These cost less up front but do not last as long as their alternatives such as metal, tile, slate, or synthetic materials.

      We recommend considering these 4 variables when selecting your roofing material. Upfront cost, Lifetime of product, Value added to home, and Insurance savings. This way you can put together a year over year cost analysis to know exactly how much your roof costs you per year.

      Example: Asphalt roof that costs $20,000 and lasts 20 years costs $1,000/year. You then have to buy another roof at year 21 at a much higher cost (inflation, raw materials rising in cost)

      A synthetic roof costs $40,000 and will last 50 years.This comes out to $800/year. Plus you could save 15-20% on your insurance with a class IV roof. Let’s call that $300/year.

      The synthetic roof only costs $500/year.

      In this example, the more expensive roof upfront ends up costing much less in the long run.

    • What is the best product for attic ventilation?

      Different roofers have different preferences when it comes to attic ventilation products. It is more important to have the correct amount of attic ventilation rather than a certain product. Correct attic ventilation must include intake and exhaust. It is critical that these are balanced, meaning the same amount of NFSI (net free square inches) is down low on the roof or soffit (intake) to let air in the attic, and up high on the roof (exhaust) to let air out of the attic. An example of intake ventilation would be soffit vents or an Edge Vent™ system. Examples of exhaust vents would be ridge vent, turbines, or power vents. To satisfy most building codes you must have at least 1 square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic floor. However, for hot climates most experts recommend 1 square foot of ventilation for every 150 square feet of attic floor, equally balanced between intake and exhaust.

    • How much will I save if I upgrade to an impact resistant shingle?
      It depends on your policy and provider but we’ve seen discounts anywhere from 0-30%! The important thing is to call your agent and find out. Remember, this is a yearly savings, not just a one time thing!
    • Do I have to pay my deductible?

      Short answer: Yes

      Long answer: If deductibles are “covered” what that means is that your roofer falsified an invoice to your insurance company. Let’s say the total work was for $20k and you have a $2,000 deductible. Your contractor says they will do the work for $18k and “cover” your deductible. They send you an invoice for $18k. But if they send that same invoice to the insurance company, your insurance company will only send you $16k because you are responsible for your $2,000. So the roofer has to falsify an invoice telling the insurance company they charged $20k when they really only charged $18k. This is illegal and people have gone to jail for this. Play at your own risk! Additionally, insurance companies do not make billions by overpaying on claims… if your contractor is performing work for even less than what insurance has bid, that should raise some red flags.

    • Should I repair or replace my roof?
      It depends on the age of the shingles and the level of leaking. We do a sunk cost analysis of sorts to determine when you should replace. Think of that car or appliance you kept taking it in to get fixed over and over and over again, only to have to replace it shortly after. You may have thought “If I had just bought a new one the first time it broke, I would have saved so much money”. It’s the same concept with a roof. What we often see is that after the first leak appears, it can be a sign of many more to come, and quickly. However, sometimes there just an issue with one small portion of the roof and everything else looks great. In those instances it’s recommended to repair.
    • What happens if rotten decking is found during roof replacement?

      Sometimes rotten decking or rafter damage is not visible during the initial inspection. It might be in an area of the attic that was not accessible or the rot was only on the surface of the decking and could not be seen from underneath. Other times, when there is slat decking, the wood can split once the old nails are removed. When this happens the first thing we do is stop working then take photos.Any time an issue arises on a project that affects the cost, we always get approval on any change orders before continuing the work. Most of the time when this comes up it is only in an isolated area. Each area usually only costs $80-$200 to fix. If we are dealing with insurance, we will also contact your insurance company and receive written approval before continuing.

    • How long do asphalt shingles last in Texas?

      Due to the heat, most asphalt shingles last 15-25 years in Texas depending on the shingles thickness. With asphalt shingles especially, proper ventilation plays a large role in the longevity and health of your shingles.

    • Does making a hail/wind claim increase my insurance premium?
      Not exactly. Leave it up to the insurance gods to reveal the dirty details, but generally speaking premiums rise by area, not by individual policyholders making claims. If you live in an area that is constantly hit by hail or high winds then the rates for your entire neighborhood or zip code will rise. But you shouldn’t be worried about being penalized for filing a claim. If anything, you should be worried about not filing, because if all your neighbors are getting a new roof in your area, rates will likely rise regardless of what you do. You might as well get a claim while you can.
    • How do I pick a good roofer?

      We might be a bit biased on this one, but we think there are certain boxes the best roofing companies always check off. Here’s a list of what we think your roofer should have.

      1. Liability Insurance Policy of at least 1 million for residential and 2 million for commercial.
      2. Physical office and staff- This might not seem like a big deal, but having a permanent office space means your roofer is likely local and in it for the long run. You might be surprised how many roofing companies are really just “side hustles”.
      3. Voluntary Memberships - Since there are no state required roofing licenses in Texas, it’s a must for your roofer to be a part of at least one private roofing association. This shows your company is dedicated to staying up to date on the greatest and latest practices and has their finger on the pulse of the industry as it pertains to ethics, legal, and insurance. We are part of the NTRCA and RCAT.
      4. Certified Crews- It’s ok for your roofer to use subcontracted crews, but be sure those crews are certified by at least one shingle manufacturer. This ensures that the guys physically installing your product have proper training.
      5. Longevity in business- Every company has to get their start, but roofing is a tough business to break into. 80% of roofing companies fail in the first 2.5 years in business. That number rises to 96% after 5 years. This is mainly due to mismanaging finances, underbidding work and the lack of resources to fulfill warranty obligations. You want your roof installer
      6. Labor warranties - If a roof was installed incorrectly it might not begin leaking for a few years, possibly longer. If your roofer is offering less than a 5 year warranty, understand you are taking a pretty decent risk. We offer a 10 year warranty on all of our labor.
    • What are synthetic tiles/shingles?

      Synthetic tiles and shingles are molded polymer (plastic) products designed to appear like slate, tile, and wood shake shingles. They provide an elegant aesthetic, are much more affordable than their authentic counterparts, and are lightweight enough to go on almost any structure. They also last 2-3 times longer than traditional asphalt shingles. Many of these products are made with thermoplastics, which are able to be melted down up to 7-10 times to be used for other plastic products, making this a great option for the environmentally conscious consumer.

    • How long do I have to file a claim?

      This varies from company to company, but typically you have anywhere from 12-24 months to file a claim after the weather event occurs. You do not need to rush to file a claim, the first thing you should do is call a roofer to see if you have any damage. Deductibles are on the rise and the idea of getting a “free roof” from your insurance company is becoming less common. If the roof damage is minor and you file a claim anyway, your deductible might be more than the cost of repairs, leaving you with a project you are obligated to complete and pay for out of your own pocket.