Guides

Hail or wind roof claim: 12 items adjusters often leave out

Roof estimates are where the most money goes missing, because a roof replacement has many small components and charges.

The checklist

1. Drip edge at eaves and rakes. Required for asphalt shingles by the International Residential Code (R905.2.8.5).
2. Starter strip along the eaves (and rakes for many brands).
3. Hip and ridge cap shingles, priced separately from field shingles.
4. Underlayment over the whole roof.
5. Ice and water barrier at eaves in cold climates (IRC R905.1.2) and usually in valleys.
6. Waste factor: typically 10% on simple gable roofs, 12–15% or more on hips and cut-up roofs.
7. Steep charge for slopes of 7/12 and steeper.
8. High-roof charge for work above the second storey.
9. Additional layer tear-off if there are two layers.
10. Step and counter flashing where the roof meets walls.
11. Debris removal, dumpster or haul-off.
12. Permit fee from your building department.

Also check pipe jacks, vents, satellite dish detach and reset, gutters, and whether overhead and profit is owed if several trades are involved.

Code upgrades

If current code requires something the old roof did not have, the cost is often covered by your policy's Ordinance or Law coverage. Check your declarations page.

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