When your roof is damaged, you’ll have a couple of crucial decisions to make. First, after looking at potential costs, you must opt for either repair or replacement. Second, you have to determine whether and how to make an insurance claim.

Here’s what you need to know to guide your decisions wisely.

What Determines Roof Repair Cost?

Each case of roof damage is different and the cost of repair will vary according to:

1. Extent and nature of the damage to your roof
2. Whether related items, such as soffits and flashing, also need repair
3. Type of roofing material you have in place
4. Square footage and height of your home
5. Your geographic location (on average, roof repair is cheaper in the South and Midwest)

Roof Repair Vs Replacement

The average cost for roof repair in the USA today is approximately $850, as compared to an average of $7,800 for a roof replacement.

It might be more cost effective to opt for a full roof replacement at this point in time. Once again, there are a number of factors to weigh:

• Seriousness of the damage
• Age of your roof
• Availability of matching materials
• Whether you wish to upgrade or change style; for example, to install energy-efficient roofing or convert from a flat roof to a pitched type
• Whether you plan to sell your house within the next few years

Repair And Your Insurance

You may be able to file a claim with your insurance company for a large roof repair cost, that is, one which amounts to three times your policy deductible or greater.

Check exactly what your policy does and does not cover. To illustrate, roof damage caused by fallen trees or storms is usually covered, but not neglect – or even normal wear and tear.

Request written estimates from several roofing contractors in New Castle so that you can compare their details and terms.

Once you’ve verified that the roofer you’d like to hire complies with your homeowners policy requirements, submit his estimate to the insurer for approval. Sign an actual contract with the roofer only after you get the green light from your insurance adjuster.