Roofing FAQ

Submit the form with your service type, ZIP code, and phone number. FindMeARoofer identifies one licensed, insured contractor in your area who handles your specific service type. Your matched contractor contacts you within 24 hours to schedule a free estimate. We send your information to one contractor only — not to multiple companies simultaneously.

No. FindMeARoofer sends your contact information to exactly one contractor — your match. We do not sell your information to lead aggregators, call centers, or multiple contractor pools. The one-match model is the core of what makes FindMeARoofer different from home services marketplaces that distribute your number to 5–8 contractors simultaneously.

All FindMeARoofer partner contractors are verified for: active state or county license/registration, $1M+ per-occurrence general liability insurance, active workers compensation coverage, zero open BBB complaints, and positive homeowner reviews. Verification is reviewed on a 90-day performance cycle. See our contractor vetting process for the full criteria.

FindMeARoofer currently serves homeowners nationwide. Coverage is available across all 83 Michigan counties, all 92 Indiana counties, all 87 Minnesota counties, all 102 Illinois counties, and all 72 Wisconsin counties — with highest partner contractor density in the five major metro markets in each state.

Three factors drive most of the cost variation: (1) Local labor market — Chicago metro runs 20–30% above Midwest average; rural Indiana and Minnesota run 10–15% below. (2) Material selection — Class 4 shingles add $800–$1,400; metal adds $3,000–$6,000 over architectural shingles. (3) Deck condition — partial deck replacement adds $1,200–$3,800 in lake-effect zone markets.

Roof repairs typically cost $350–$1,800. Shingle replacement (3–6 shingles) costs $350–$650. Chimney or skylight flashing repair costs $500–$1,400. Valley re-flashing costs $600–$1,600. Active leak repair (trace and fix) costs $400–$1,200. Emergency tarping adds $200–$500 when needed before permanent repair.

Getting 2–3 quotes is reasonable and common. The most important thing is that quotes are for identical scope — same material, same tear-off method, same deck replacement provision, same permit inclusion. A significantly lower quote is almost always missing one of these items. A written itemized estimate from your FindMeARoofer matched contractor includes all components so you can compare accurately.

Wisconsin requires a DSPS Dwelling Contractor Qualifier license (verify at licensesearch.wi.gov). Minnesota requires a DLI Residential Contractor license (verify at dli.mn.gov). Michigan requires a LARA Residential Builder license (verify at michigan.gov/lara). Illinois has no statewide license — Chicago requires DOB Roofing Contractor registration. Indiana has no statewide license — Indianapolis requires City-County Building Authority registration. See the complete contractor verification guide.

A roofing contractor should carry: General Liability insurance at $1M+ per occurrence (protects your property if they cause damage), Workers Compensation insurance (protects you if a worker is injured on your property), and Commercial Auto insurance. Request a Certificate of Insurance naming you as certificate holder before work begins. FindMeARoofer requires $1M+ GL from all partner contractors — 3x the minimum most states require.

Insurance covers replacement when damage is caused by a covered peril — storm, hail, wind, tornado, ice dam collapse, or falling objects. Normal wear, aging, and neglect are excluded. Your matched contractor can assess whether damage has a storm-related cause that supports a claim. See the full insurance claim guide.

Class 4 UL 2218 shingles are the highest hail-resistance rated shingles in residential roofing. Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan homeowners who install Class 4 shingles qualify for 18–32% annual insurance premium discounts with Indiana Farm Bureau, State Farm, Pekin Insurance, and other carriers. The typical upgrade cost of $800–$1,400 recovers in 14–22 months through annual premium savings. See the Class 4 Discount Guide.

For most Midwest homeowners, 30-year architectural asphalt shingles are the best value — combining durability, availability, warranty coverage, and cost-effectiveness. In Indiana and Illinois hail corridor markets, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are strongly recommended for the insurance discount ROI. In lake-effect snow markets (Grand Rapids, South Bend, Duluth), metal roofing provides the highest performance for severe snow load and freeze-thaw cycle frequency.

3-tab asphalt shingles last 15–20 years in Midwest conditions. Architectural shingles are rated for 25–30 years but effective service life in high-hail and lake-effect markets is 18–22 years. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles achieve 28–35 years of effective service life. Metal roofing lasts 40–70 years. TPO flat roofing lasts 20–30 years. Actual lifespan depends heavily on attic ventilation, installation quality, and local climate severity.

Ice dams form when heat escapes through an inadequately insulated attic, warms the roof deck, melts snow, and the meltwater refreezes at the cold eave edge. Prevention requires R-49+ attic insulation (Zone 6 markets), balanced soffit/ridge ventilation, ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys, and air sealing at attic penetrations. See the complete Ice Dam Prevention Guide.