Need a New Roof? Understand Your Options Before Winter.

1. Find out what needs attention

Tell the contractor what you have noticed, when it started and whether it followed a storm. Ask for photographs and a plain explanation of the findings. Stay on the ground when documenting your own observations.

• Is a repair a practical option, and what problem would it address?
• If replacement is recommended, what findings support that recommendation?
• Is temporary protection needed while the work is scheduled?

Read our repair or replacement guide and storm damage information.

2. Separate the roof assessment from the insurance decision

Needing roof work does not automatically mean insurance will pay. Storm damage may be covered, while normal wear and tear is commonly excluded. Your policy, deductible and the circumstances matter. Ask your insurer to explain its decision and the applicable policy terms.

A contractor can document roof conditions and provide an estimate. That is different from promising claim approval. If a decision is unclear, ask the insurer for a written explanation before choosing your next step.

Source: Pennsylvania Insurance Department homeowner guidance.

3. Compare written estimates for the same work

Ask each contractor to identify materials, tear-off and disposal, any allowance for hidden damage, ventilation or flashing work, warranties, payment schedule and expected timing. A lower number is hard to compare if the scope is different.

For a project before winter, ask what can realistically be scheduled and how weather could change the plan. An estimate request does not guarantee a completion date.

4. Ask about payment options without focusing only on the monthly amount

You can ask about paying directly, the contractor's payment schedule, and whether that contractor offers financing through a lender. Availability varies. Our independent network does not promise that every contractor offers financing.

• What is the cash price and the amount being financed?
• What are the APR, fees, loan term and total of payments?
• Does a promotional offer defer interest, and what happens when it ends?
• Are there late fees or an early repayment penalty?
• What approval requirements apply, and is the loan secured by your home?

Compare the written terms and what fits your budget. This page is not a loan offer or credit application, and we do not collect credit details here.

Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau guidance on loan fees and comparing offers.

Continue the Roofus series

Episode 2: why hail damage is not always obvious. Roofus is a fictional educational character created by TableTurn Digital.