Homeowners call us with a leak and assume they need a new roof. Sometimes they do. Often they don't. Here's how we think about it when we're walking your roof.
When repair is the right call
Repair makes sense when the roof is otherwise sound, the damage is localized, and the underlying shingles still have meaningful life left.
- The roof is under 12–15 years old and the rest of it looks healthy
- Damage is localized: a wind-lifted section, a single failed flashing, one cracked vent boot, ice damage in one valley
- There's a clear, single cause — not general age-related decay
- You have records of recent regular maintenance
When replacement is the honest answer
Replacement is the right call when patching is just deferring an inevitable bigger cost.
- Roof is 18+ years old with widespread granule loss
- Multiple leaks in different areas — usually means general field failure, not a single defect
- Significant hail damage that an insurance adjuster will (or already did) call covered
- Decking is wet or soft over a meaningful area
- You've already paid for two or three repairs in the last few years
The middle case
Sometimes the right answer is 'repair now, plan to replace in two years.' That's a legitimate recommendation — it lets you spread cost, schedule the bigger job around your life, and avoid an emergency replacement in February.
Any contractor who refuses to do repairs and only quotes full replacements is a contractor you should pause on. Repairs are usually less profitable than replacements, but they're often the right answer.
How to decide without a sales pitch
Get two opinions — at least one from a contractor who has nothing to sell you on the day they look (we offer free inspections with a written report, no obligation). Ask each to explain why they're recommending what they're recommending, and to point at the specific evidence on your roof.
If both answers are the same, you have your answer.