How much does roof repair cost in Houston?

Nobody can price a roof repair from a description, and anyone who does is guessing. But the price is not random either. It comes down to five things, and knowing them tells you what kind of job you are looking at.

First, what actually failed. A cracked vent boot, a few wind-lifted shingles or a bad seal on a flashing is a small job with small materials. A leak that has been running for a year has usually taken the decking with it, and replacing boards is where the cost jumps. Second, the roof itself: steep roofs, high roofs and complex roofs with many valleys take longer and need more safety gear. Third, the material. Asphalt shingle is the cheapest to repair; metal, tile and flat membranes cost more per square foot because the work is slower and more specialised.

Fourth, access, which in north Houston means trees and long driveways. Fifth, whether the repair is really a repair. Past a certain point a contractor will tell you that patching is throwing money at a roof that needs replacing, and you should want him to say so.

The honest answer, then, is to get the roof looked at and a written estimate that itemises those things, so you can see what you are paying for. If the estimate is one number with no breakdown, ask for the breakdown. And if the repair is storm-related, read the next question before you pay for anything.