Roofing FAQ
Plain-English answers to questions we hear from Eau Claire homeowners every week. If you've got a question that's not here, just call us. We'd rather answer your question on the phone than have you read a page of generic content.
Costs and quotes
What makes one Eau Claire roofing quote higher than another?
The spread between two honest roofing quotes usually comes down to five things: tear-off layers, decking condition, ventilation work, material tier, and roof complexity. A second layer of old shingles adds disposal and labor. Decking condition stays unknowable until the old roof comes off, so a quote that never mentions it has left something out. Bringing soffit and ridge ventilation up to code is real money that low bids often omit. Between honest bids on an identical scope, a 10-25% spread is normal in the Eau Claire market; wider than that usually means the scopes aren't actually the same.
How long is the estimate good for?
A written estimate stays good for 30 days, usually. Material prices fluctuate, so for projects that get scheduled out further than that, we'll re-confirm pricing before we order materials.
Can I get an estimate without you climbing on the roof?
Sometimes, for simple replacements where the roof is visible from the ground or via a drone shot. But for the most accurate pricing, we need to actually walk the roof to check decking condition, ventilation, flashings, and anything that's hard to see from below.
Do you offer financing?
We work with several local lenders and can connect you with financing options. Most homeowners financing a roof replacement end up with payments in the $150–$300/month range over 5-10 years. Ask us about financing on your estimate visit.
How much should I pay a roofer upfront in Wisconsin?
A deposit of 25-50% is the normal upper bound for residential roofing in Wisconsin, with the balance due when the job is complete and walked through. Deposits exist to cover material orders, not to fund the whole project before a shingle moves. Treat a request for most of the money upfront as a warning sign, and treat final-payment-on-completion as the norm reputable contractors are comfortable with. Keep the payment schedule in the written contract alongside the scope, so the money and the work stay tied together.
Insurance and storm damage
Should my roofer be there when the insurance adjuster inspects?
Having your roofer on the roof during the adjuster's inspection is strongly recommended, and it's standard practice on our Eau Claire storm claims. Adjusters typically schedule within 1-2 weeks of a claim and move through inspections quickly, so our documentation (photos, measurements, marked damage points) makes sure the scope of loss reflects everything that's actually there. You file the claim yourself, since that has to come from the policyholder, but you shouldn't have to debate roofing details with a claims professional alone. If the initial estimate misses items, the same documentation backs the supplement.
Will my insurance cover a new roof?
It depends on what caused the damage and your specific policy. Hail, wind, and fallen-tree damage are usually covered. Wear and tear isn't. We'll tell you honestly whether what you're seeing is likely to be covered before you file a claim.
What's a 'supplement'?
When the insurance adjuster's initial estimate misses something (extra dump fees, code-required ventilation upgrades, ice and water shield in valleys), we file a supplement to get the estimate adjusted. It's a normal part of the claim process and most insurance companies expect it.
Will my insurance rate go up if I file a claim?
Weather-caused claims generally don't raise your individual rate, since most carriers treat storms as no-fault events. But you should ask your agent specifically. Avoid filing claims for non-storm damage, since those can affect rates.
I think there might be hail damage on my roof. What should I do?
Don't wait. Most insurance policies have a one-year window to file storm-related claims. Call us for a free hail damage inspection. If we find damage, we'll document it and walk you through next steps.
Why did my insurance only pay part of my roof claim upfront?
Insurance companies often pay roof claims in two checks: actual cash value first, then recoverable depreciation after the work is done. The first check is the roof's depreciated value; the second is the rest of the replacement cost, released when you show the work was completed (final invoice, sometimes photos). If your policy is replacement-cost (RCV), you get both. If it's actual-cash-value only, the depreciation never comes, which matters a lot on a 20-year-old roof. We provide the completion paperwork carriers ask for, and we flag ACV-only policies during the estimate so the math doesn't surprise you.
Timeline and process
How long does a repair take?
Most roof repairs are completed in a single visit, often the same day or next day. Larger repairs involving decking replacement or extensive flashing work might take 2 days.
How quickly can you start once I sign?
Start dates depend on the season. In summer and fall (peak roofing season) lead times can run 4-8 weeks. In winter and early spring, 1-2 weeks is more typical. Storm damage repairs we try to fit in faster.
Do I need to be home during the work?
No, but it's helpful for the first hour so we can confirm material colors and answer any questions. After that, you can leave. We'll lock up if needed and clean the property when we finish.
What about my landscaping?
We tarp landscaping below the work area, use plywood walking paths if heavy equipment is needed, and run a magnetic sweeper across the lawn before we leave to pick up nails. We'll discuss any sensitive plantings before we start.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Eau Claire?
A tear-off roof replacement is permitted work in Eau Claire and the surrounding Chippewa Valley municipalities, while small repairs usually aren't. The contractor should pull the permit as part of the project (we do), and the permit means the work can be inspected: ice barrier at the eaves, fastening, and ventilation all checked against current code. Skipping the permit saves a few days and creates problems for years, because unpermitted work surfaces at resale and can complicate a future insurance claim. Our roof replacement page covers the details.
Materials and warranties
What's the difference between architectural and 3-tab shingles?
Architectural shingles are thicker, layered, and look more dimensional on the roof. They typically last 25-30 years and cost about 20% more than 3-tab. 3-tab shingles are flatter, lighter, and last 15-20 years. Most new construction and replacements in Eau Claire today use architectural, for better looks and a better lifespan.
What's the warranty on a new roof?
Manufacturer warranties on materials run 25-50 years depending on the product. Our workmanship warranty covers installation defects for 5-10 years depending on the project. We give you all the warranty paperwork at the end of the job.
Should I pick metal or asphalt for my home?
Asphalt costs less upfront and looks right on most home styles. Metal costs more but lasts 2-3x longer and handles ice and snow better. If you're staying in the home long-term and the architecture suits it, metal can be the better long-term value. For a starter home or a place you might sell in 5-10 years, asphalt usually makes more financial sense.
Do I really need new ventilation?
Older Eau Claire homes often do need ventilation work, yes. Wisconsin code (and good roofing practice) requires 1 sq ft of ventilation per 300 sq ft of attic space, balanced between intake (soffit) and exhaust (ridge or static vents). Lots of older homes here don't meet this. Proper ventilation prevents ice dams in winter and extends shingle life in summer.
What actually stops ice dams: insulation, ventilation, or heat cables?
The ranked fix for ice dams is air-sealing first, insulation second, ventilation third, and heat cables a distant last. Dams form when attic heat melts the snowpack from below and the meltwater refreezes over the cold eaves, so the cure is keeping the attic cold: seal the ceiling penetrations leaking warm air, get insulation to full depth, and keep intake and exhaust venting balanced. Heat cables only manage the symptom, and Eau Claire winters produce enough freeze-thaw cycles to outlast them. If you're seeing dams every winter, the attic is telling you something.
What are the black streaks on my roof shingles?
The black streaks on asphalt shingles are almost always Gloeocapsa magma, an airborne algae that feeds on the limestone filler in the shingle mat. It's cosmetic at first, but heavy growth holds moisture, and moss that follows it will pry shingle edges up. Shaded roof planes grow it fastest, which is why tree-heavy blocks around Randall Park and the Third Ward see more of it than open subdivisions. Algae-resistant shingles with copper granules are the durable fix at replacement time; zinc or copper strips at the ridge slow it on an existing roof. Skip the pressure washer, which strips granules.
About working with us
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We carry general liability and workers' compensation insurance. We're happy to provide certificates of insurance on request before any work starts.
Do you give multiple-bid discounts if I get neighbors to sign up?
We don't run multi-house referral programs. We've seen too many of those become rushed jobs. We will give you a small referral credit if you send us a friend whose project we end up doing.
What if something goes wrong after the job is done?
Call us. Our workmanship warranty covers installation issues: leaks at flashings, premature shingle failure where we installed, ventilation problems we should have addressed. We'd rather come back and fix something than have you Google our name and find a bad review.
Do you work with builders on new-construction roofing?
We do work with home builders on new-construction roofing in the Eau Claire area, on both production and custom builds. Builder-spec asphalt is the bulk of it, with metal increasingly requested by buyers. What builders care about is what we deliver: realistic dates, per-spec installation from the architectural plans, sequencing around framing and sheathing on one side and gutters and siding finish on the other, and quick punch-list turnaround at closeout. With 4-6 weeks of notice we can hold to a builder's schedule. The simplest first step is a phone call about crew capacity and typical pricing.
Should gutters be replaced before or after the roof?
Roof work should almost always happen before gutter replacement, so the gutter installer isn't working under a crew tearing shingles off above their new product. The order with siding and windows is less fixed, because it depends on flashing details where the roof meets the walls. The practical version: tell us during the estimate visit who else is working on the house and in what order, and we'll coordinate timing so nobody damages anybody else's finished work. It's a five-minute conversation that prevents the most common cross-trade damage we see.
How do I verify a roofing contractor's license and insurance in Wisconsin?
Verifying a Wisconsin roofing contractor takes about ten minutes and two documents. Ask for the certificate of insurance showing both general liability and workers' compensation (the insurer will email it directly on request, which is the fraud-proof route), and check the contractor's credential on the Wisconsin DSPS license lookup. Then confirm there's a real local address behind the business, not just a phone number. Reputable contractors hand these over without hesitation; hesitation is itself the answer. We provide certificates on request before any work starts.
Got a question that isn't here?
We answer the phone 7 days a week, 8 AM to 6 PM.