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When you need a shingle roof repair, one of the biggest concerns is how much it will actually cost when all is said and done. Even with the most thorough initial inspection, sometimes hidden problems only reveal themselves once the old materials come off. These "surprises" are often the biggest reasons a repair ends up costing more than originally quoted.
Over the years, we’ve run into some scenarios where the cost of a roof repair went up after the initial roof estimate.
Here, we’ll discuss the situations where a roof repair has cost more than the original estimate and around how much it costs when these issues arise.
Let’s start by talking about the factors that increase the cost of a roof repair.
What Factors Can Increase the Cost of Your Roof Repair from Inspection to Project Completion?
Several hidden factors can bump up the final price of your roof repair.
The most common ones include:
Scope of Roof Damage
Sometimes damage is more extensive than it appears during an inspection. Once the shingles are removed, problems like rotting decking, mold, or previous patch jobs can become visible. In this situation, it may be necessary to replace an entire slope of your roof.
Additional Shingle Layers
Finding multiple layers of shingles can significantly increase the complexity and cost of a repair. Repairing two layers of shingles is extremely difficult because the shingles are overlapped in different ways. Removing two layers often leads to uneven surfaces, making it hard to reinstall new materials cleanly. In fact, in many insurance claims, if there's more than one layer, the roof often needs to be fully replaced instead of repaired due to the difficulty and additional risks involved.
How Much Can the Cost of a Roof Increase from Estimation to Project Completion?
On average, the final cost can increase by 10% to 30% due to damage that isn’t visible during the initial inspection.
This isn't due to bait-and-switch tactics; it's because once the roofing materials come off, we can see things that inspections simply can't catch, like:
- Water-damaged roof decking
- Ripped underlayment
- Rusted-through or improperly installed nails
- Code compliance issues from previous work
If significant hidden damage is discovered, the cost can increase beyond 30%.
These scenarios include:
- If your roof is over 15 years old
- you’ve had a number of repairs completed
- leaks have gone undetected for an extended period of time.
These scenarios can cause a roof to be deemed “non-repairable” meaning that a roof replacement is required to mitigate damage.
What Happens if Your Roof is Deemed “Non-Repairable” By Your Insurance Company?
At this time, a reputable roofing contractor should go over the damage with you. They should also provide photo evidence of aging or areas where water may be leaking into your home, along with any other damage they may see on your roof. Many contractors in the Myrtle Beach area also help guide homeowners through the claims process.
This includes:
- Pulling storm dates: Looking over dates when weather may have impacted your roof.
- Meeting with your insurance adjuster: This ensures that all areas of roof damage are accounted for by your insurance provider.
- Answering your questions: Your roofing contractor should be able to answer any questions you may have about the insurance process before they help you start a claim.
While a roofer cannot guarantee you an approved insurance claim, they can act as an advocate to ensure all damage is properly documented by your insurance adjuster.
Should You Have a Roof Repair or a Roof Replacement?
Roof issues are stressful enough. To find that your roof repair will cost more than you expected only adds frustration.
But knowing why the cost of a repair can go up can help you plan. If you know you don’t have multiple layers of shingles or your issue seems small, you may not pay more than your original roof estimate. However, if you’re concerned about the age of your roof or its general condition, it may be worth getting an estimate on a roof replacement. In some scenarios, a roof may be considered “non-repairable” and in that instance your insurance will require you to have a roof replacement to keep your coverage.
To get an idea of the cost of a new roof, check out our instant estimator.
This will help you get an idea of how much it will cost if you decide to have your roof replaced. If you have additional questions about roof repair or replacement costs, check out our pricing guide or give us a call. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have regarding your roofing needs.
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