ROOFING QUESTIONS
HONEST ANSWERS

If your roof is under 15 years old and damage is isolated to one area, repair is usually the right call. If it's 20+ years old, has widespread granule loss, multiple leak points, or sagging, replacement is more cost-effective. We inspect every roof before recommending either — we never push replacement when repair is the honest answer.

Most residential roof replacements in Milwaukee take 1–2 days. Larger homes or complex rooflines may take 3 days. We aim to complete every job in a single mobilization so your home isn't left exposed overnight.

Late spring through early fall is ideal — shingles seal properly in warm temperatures. That said, we install year-round. Modern materials and techniques allow us to do quality work even in Wisconsin winters, and waiting until spring can mean months of potential interior damage from an aging roof.

Architectural asphalt shingles typically last 25–30 years in Wisconsin's climate. Metal roofs last 40–70 years. Flat membrane systems (TPO/EPDM) last 20–30 years with proper maintenance. Manufacturer warranties and our 5-year workmanship guarantee are separate — both apply.

No — most homeowners go about their day. We ask that you park vehicles away from the house and keep pets indoors. We'll walk you through the completed work when we're done and leave a detailed invoice with photos.

A typical Milwaukee residential roof replacement runs $8,000–$18,000 depending on size, pitch, material, and access. Architectural shingles are most common and most affordable. Metal roofing costs more upfront but lasts significantly longer. We provide free, itemized estimates with no obligation.

We typically respond within 2 hours and can inspect same or next day. We don't make homeowners wait weeks for a quote — that's not how we'd want to be treated.

Yes. We offer financing options through third-party lenders for qualified homeowners. Ask about this when you request your estimate and we'll walk you through the options available.

Lower bids often mean sub-contracted labor, thinner materials, or skipped underlayment and flashing details. These shortcuts show up years later — usually as leaks right after a warranty period expires. We price fairly and explain every line item so you know exactly what you're getting.

Hail damage shows as random dark spots (bruising) on asphalt shingles where granules have been knocked loose. It's often invisible from the ground. After any hail event, call us for a free inspection — we document everything with photos and can tell you definitively whether you have a claim-worthy event.

Standard homeowner policies cover hail and wind damage — these are sudden, accidental events. They do not cover wear and tear or age-related deterioration. The challenge is that adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. We attend adjuster meetings with our clients and advocate for a full, fair settlement.

Get our inspection first. We document the damage thoroughly before anything is disturbed. Then we help you file the claim with that documentation in hand. Starting the claim process with solid evidence puts you in a much stronger position.

Initial insurance estimates frequently miss items — code upgrades, disposal fees, proper flashing details. A supplement is a request to the insurer for additional funds to cover these missed items. We handle supplementing on behalf of our clients regularly and recover meaningful additional dollars on most claims.

From filing to approval typically takes 2–4 weeks. Once approved, we schedule your installation immediately. Emergency tarping and temporary repairs can happen within 24–48 hours of damage while the claim processes.

We primarily install GAF and Owens Corning for asphalt shingles — both carry strong manufacturer warranties. For metal, we use steel and aluminum panels from regional suppliers. For flat roofing we install Carlisle and Firestone membrane systems. We match the material to the application, not to margin.

3-tab shingles are flat, uniform, and cheaper — but they're largely obsolete. Architectural (dimensional) shingles are layered, look like slate or wood shake, carry longer warranties, and perform significantly better in high winds. We only install architectural shingles as our standard.

For homeowners planning to stay long-term, yes. Metal roofing lasts 2–3x longer than asphalt, requires virtually no maintenance, and adds more to resale value. It also qualifies for energy tax credits. The break-even point vs. two asphalt replacements is typically 15–20 years.

We use synthetic underlayment as standard — it's stronger, more tear-resistant, and lasts longer than traditional felt. In high-moisture or high-wind zones we add peel-and-stick ice-and-water shield at eaves, valleys, and penetrations per Wisconsin code requirements.

Our 5-year workmanship warranty covers any defect in installation — improper nailing, flashing failures, poor sealing around penetrations, or any labor-related issue that causes a leak or premature failure. Material defects are covered separately under the manufacturer warranty. Both apply to every installation we do.

We do a full perimeter sweep with a magnetic nail roller to collect any fasteners. We walk the site with you, review the completed work, explain what was done, and leave you with a written invoice, warranty documentation, and manufacturer warranty registration. You'll have everything in writing.

Yes — for all full replacements we pull the required permits with the City of Milwaukee or the relevant municipality. This is non-negotiable. A roof installed without permits creates problems when you sell the home. Any contractor who skips permits to save time is putting that liability on you.

We lay tarps around the perimeter to catch debris, protect landscaping from falling materials, and use soft-soled boots on the roof. All waste is removed daily and the magnetic nail roller runs before we leave. We treat your property the way we'd want ours treated.