Roofing questions, answered
Every question from our service and town pages in one place, grouped by topic. Each answer links back to the page with the full details and Fort Wayne prices.
General questions
How much does a new roof cost in Fort Wayne?
Most asphalt shingle roofs cost $8,000 to $16,000, and about $12,000 is the national average. The size and pitch of your roof, how many old layers come off and how much rotten decking we find move it most, so we write your price after we've been up there.
Should I repair my roof or replace it?
Repair it if the damage is in one spot and the rest of the shingles still lie flat and hold their granules. Once a roof is within five or ten years of its expected life, or leaks keep turning up in new places, a new roof is usually the better use of the money.
Are your roof inspections free?
Yes. We get on the roof, take photos and give you a written price at no charge. You don't owe us anything for the visit, whoever you hire.
Will insurance pay for a new roof?
It can, when a covered storm such as hail or high wind did the damage. Old age and wear aren't covered. We inspect and photograph the damage first so you know whether a claim makes sense, and we can meet your adjuster on the roof. See storm and hail damage repair.
How long does a new roof take?
Most houses take us one or two days, tear-off to clean-up. A steep roof, a second layer to strip or a lot of rotten decking adds time, and rain can move the start date.
Do you put on metal roofs too?
We do, both standing-seam and screw-down steel. Most metal roofs cost $6,043 to $18,341 installed, a range that overlaps a shingle roof's, and they can last 40 to 70 years. See metal roofing in Fort Wayne.
How do I pick a roofing contractor in Fort Wayne?
Pick one who gets on your roof, shows you photos of what's wrong and puts one price in writing. Ask for their certificate of liability insurance, and ask whether they'll pull the permit if your town needs one. Our roof permit guide lists the rules town by town. Walk away from anyone who offers to cover your deductible, because Indiana law bans it.
What should a roofing contract in Indiana include?
Indiana requires a written contract for a roof job, handed to you complete before you sign. It has to describe the work, show the price and rough start and finish dates, name the person who handles complaints, and say whether a subcontractor or supplier will do any of the work. A change made later counts only if you sign it. For storm jobs, see how a roof claim works in Indiana.
Auburn
When does a roof job in Auburn need a permit?
When it changes the structure, such as new trusses or rafters, or involves electrical or plumbing work, or needs a state design release. A straight shingle and decking replacement is exempt.
Searching online, what should I type?
Add "Indiana." Auburn, Alabama and Auburn, California take over most searches for the name alone.
Bluffton
Can you match the slate on an older Bluffton house?
Usually close, with salvaged or new slate. See our page on slate and cedar shake roofs for what repair and replacement cost.
Columbia City
Do you work on the older houses downtown?
Yes. The Columbia City Historic District, downtown and the homes around it, is on the National Register for its late Victorian and revival buildings, and we found no local review that would slow a new roof there.
Decatur
Was my roof damaged in a past hailstorm?
It may still show. Hail bruises and cracks don't heal, so an inspection can find old hits, though an insurance claim has to be tied to a dated storm within your policy's deadline.
Huntington
Is Huntington too far for a small repair?
No, we work there regularly. A one-leak repair may carry a trip charge, and you'll hear the amount on the phone before anyone drives down.
Kendallville
Do you work in Kendallville in winter?
Yes, on dry days. Shingles can go on in the cold when they're hand-sealed, and ice dam removal runs December through March.
Can you fix a flat roof on a downtown building?
Yes. We repair, coat and replace TPO, EPDM and modified bitumen roofs on commercial buildings.
New Haven
Do you work in New Haven?
Yes, New Haven is one of the closest towns in our area. Inspections there are the same as in Fort Wayne: free, with photos and a written price.
Van Wert, OH
Do you come out as far as Van Wert?
Yes. It's a straight run on US 30, and Van Wert is part of our regular area. A small leak repair may carry a trip charge, which you'll hear before we come.
What does the Van Wert permit cost on a new roof?
On a $12,000 roof, the fee works out to $24: $20 for the first $10,000 and $2 for each $1,000 after. The city sets fees by project value, so check the current application.
Warsaw
Do you work on lake houses?
Yes, around Winona, Center and Pike lakes and farther out. Tight lots and steep lake-side roofs can change how we set up, and we'll talk through it at the inspection.
Commercial & flat roofing
Do you work on churches, apartments and shops?
Yes. We roof commercial and multi-family buildings as well as houses, from a small storefront to a church with a flat roof over the fellowship hall.
Can you work while our business is open?
Usually. We plan the work around your hours, keep the entrances clear and tell you which days will be loudest. Torch-down work near open intakes gets scheduled after hours.
Is a flat roof supposed to hold water?
No. Water still standing 48 hours after a rain means the roof isn't draining the way it should, and it's worth having looked at before the membrane wears through.
Do I need a permit to replace a commercial roof?
Plan on it. Allen County runs commercial work through its building department, and the rules depend on the building, so we check yours and file whatever it needs as part of the job.
Ice dams & heat cables
Can I get rid of an ice dam myself?
You can pull snow off the lower roof from the ground with a roof rake, which keeps new dams from building. Do not climb onto an icy roof, and don't chip at the ice; that's where the damage and the falls happen.
Do heat cables work?
They keep a path open for meltwater along the edge, which helps on trouble spots. They don't stop the warm-attic problem that causes dams, and they use electricity all winter, so we treat them as a backup to fixing the attic.
Will homeowners insurance pay for ice dam damage?
Water damage inside the house from an ice dam is often covered, while removing the ice itself usually isn't. Read your policy or call your agent, and take photos before anything is cleaned up.
When should I call?
As soon as water shows up inside, or when the ridge of ice is thick and more snow is in the forecast. December through March is ice dam season in Fort Wayne.
Metal roofing
Is a metal roof worth it in Fort Wayne?
It is if you plan to stay. A shingle roof lasts 25 to 30 years and a metal one 40 to 70, so over a long stay you may pay for one metal roof instead of two shingle roofs.
Do metal roofs dent in hail?
They can. Large hail can dent steel panels, though most dents are cosmetic and don't leak. If hail is your worry, ask about panels with a Class 4 impact rating.
Are metal roofs loud in the rain?
Over a solid wood deck with underlayment, the way we put them on houses, rain sounds much like it does on shingles. Over open framing on a barn, you'll hear it.
Can you fix my old barn roof?
Usually, yes. We replace bad screws and washers, swap rusted-through panels, reseal the laps and repaint the rest. If most panels have rusted through, we'll price new steel next to the repair.
Roof repair
How do I know if my roof is leaking?
Look for brown rings on ceilings, peeling paint near the tops of walls, damp insulation or daylight in the attic, and shingle grit piling up in the gutters. After a heavy rain, take a flashlight into the attic and look along the underside of the roof.
Is a small roof leak an emergency?
Not usually, but it gets worse quickly. Water soaks the deck and insulation long before it shows on a ceiling, so call within a few days, and call right away if water is dripping inside.
Will insurance pay for my roof repair?
Only when a covered event caused it, such as a windstorm, hail or a fallen tree. Old age, wear and slow leaks usually aren't covered. If a storm did it, read our page on storm and hail damage before you call your insurer.
Can you fix a roof leak in winter?
Yes. We replace shingles and flashing in cold weather and seal them by hand so they hold until spring. Leaks caused by ice backing up at the eaves are a different job: see ice dam removal.
How long does a roof repair last?
About as long as the roof around it, when it's done with matching materials and new flashing. A patch on a roof at the end of its life only buys time, and we'll say so when that's the case.
Roof replacement
How long does a roof replacement take?
One or two days for most houses we do. A steep roof, a second layer to strip or a lot of rotten decking adds a day, and rain can push the start back.
How do I know I need a new roof?
Curled or cracked shingles, bald patches where the granules are gone, leaks in more than one place, and a roof within five to ten years of its expected life are the usual signs. Daylight in the attic or a sagging ridge means don't wait.
Do I need to be home while you work?
Not the whole time. We'd like to see you before we start and for the walk-around at the end. Keep cars out of the driveway and pets inside on tear-off day.
What happens if you find rotten wood?
We stop and show you. Your quote already lists a price per sheet of decking, so you know the cost before we replace anything, and you get photos of each bad board.
Does a new roof add value to my house?
Yes, though not dollar for dollar: on average a new asphalt roof recovers about 68% of its cost when the house sells. It also takes a big item off a buyer's inspection report.
Skylights
Can an old skylight be removed and roofed over?
Yes. We frame the opening, deck it, shingle it to match and patch the ceiling inside, so the room just loses the light from that spot.
Do I need a permit for a new skylight?
Often, yes. Cutting rafters or making an opening larger is structural work, and that needs a permit. Swapping a skylight for one the same size usually doesn't change the framing.
Is there a tax credit for a new skylight in 2026?
No. The federal energy credit that covered some skylights ended for anything installed after December 31, 2025.
Will a skylight make my room hot in summer?
A south- or west-facing skylight can. Low-E glass and a shade cut most of the heat, and a venting unit lets it out.
Slate, cedar & specialty roofs
Should I repair or replace my slate roof?
Repair it if the stone is sound and only some pieces and the flashing have failed. If slates crumble at the edges, flake in layers or break when you press on them, the stone itself is wearing out and a new roof is the better money.
Can you match my old slate?
Usually close. We look for salvaged slate of the same color and size first, then new stone. On a front slope we'll show you a sample before we start.
Can a slate roof be replaced with shingles?
Outside a local historic district, yes, as long as the old slate comes off first. Inside a district, the Historic Preservation Commission decides, so we start with its approval.
How long does a cedar shake roof last?
It depends on the grade of wood and how well it dries. Shakes in shade that stay damp go first, so we look at moss, cupping and splits rather than age alone.
Storm & hail damage
How do I know if hail damaged my roof?
You usually can't tell from the ground. Dents in gutters, downspouts and vents are the best clue, and shingle grit washing out of the downspouts after the storm is another. An inspection on the roof finds the dark, soft spots that mark each hit.
Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?
Either is fine, but an inspection first tells you whether there's enough damage to file. Some insurers keep a record of a reported claim even when they pay nothing, so it helps to know before you call.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Check your policy for its deadline. Waiting also makes it harder to tie the damage to one storm, so get the roof looked at within days.
Do you work with my insurance company?
Yes, whichever company you have. The claim stays between you and your insurer, and we give their adjuster our photos and written estimate and show them the damage on the roof.
What about my deductible?
It's yours to pay. Indiana law bars any roofer from offering to pay or rebate a deductible, including through a discount, a gift or money for a yard sign.
Let's take a look at your roof
Call us or send three quick answers. We'll get up there, show you the photos and write you one price.