- Seen a lot of storm repairs over the years—costs are all over the place.
- Last spring, a client with a 12/12 pitch roof (asphalt, three-tab) paid close to $8k just for patching and replacing blown-off shingles. Insurance covered some, but not all.
- Matching old shingles is a headache. Even “same color” new bundles stick out like a sore thumb after a few years of sun.
- I’m not totally sold on architectural shingles being a cure-all, but they do seem to last longer in high-wind areas.
- If you’re in a spot that gets hammered by storms, skipping on quality up front usually means paying more later... seen it too many times.
I just went through my first big storm as a homeowner last fall—had to replace about a dozen shingles on a 7/12 roof. Even with basic three-tabs, the color mismatch is super obvious now. Insurance only chipped in a bit, so I was out nearly $2k. Not cheap, but at least it wasn’t a full tear-off.
That price tag sounds about right, unfortunately. I went through something similar after a hailstorm last spring. My roof’s a low-pitch (4/12), but even then, getting a few damaged shingles swapped out cost more than I expected—materials were cheap, but labor and that minimum trip fee from the roofer really added up. Plus, like you said, the color mismatch is super noticeable. I even tried hunting down the same brand and color code at three different stores, but apparently my original shingles had faded a lot more than I realized.
Here’s how I broke down my costs step by step:
1. **Assessment:** First, I had to get someone up there to check for hidden damage. That inspection alone was $200, but I figured it was worth it for peace of mind.
2. **Materials:** Replacement three-tab shingles ran me about $40 for a bundle (I needed two), plus underlayment and nails—maybe another $30.
3. **Labor:** This was the kicker—minimum charge was $900, even though it only took them half a day.
4. **Insurance:** My deductible was $1,500, so insurance only covered about $300 of the total bill.
I did consider DIY-ing it to save money, but with the slope and my lack of experience, it seemed risky. If I’d gone that route, maybe I’d have saved on labor, but then you’ve got to factor in safety gear, ladder rental, and the potential for messing something up.
One thing I wish I’d done differently: asked the roofer about “weathering in” new shingles to help them blend. Apparently there are some tricks with granule dust or even painting them lightly to minimize the mismatch. Not sure how well that works long-term, but the patchwork look bugs me every time I pull into the driveway.
I’m curious—did your roofer mention anything about potential future leaks where new meets old? Mine gave me a heads-up that sometimes those spots are more vulnerable until everything settles.
Anyway, $2k stings for what seems like a small fix, but compared to a full tear-off (my neighbor paid over $12k last year), it’s still manageable... just not ideal if you’re trying to keep costs down.
That color mismatch is the worst, isn’t it?
—I know that exact feeling. After a windstorm trashed a chunk of my roof a couple years back, I ended up with this checkerboard effect that made the house look like it was wearing a toupee. I tried the granule dust trick (sweeping some off old shingles and rubbing it onto the new ones), but honestly, it only helped a little. Paint seemed like overkill, so I just learned to live with it.“the patchwork look bugs me every time I pull into the driveway”
Labor costs are wild now. I get that insurance deductibles are what they are, but when you’re basically footing the bill for 90% of the work yourself, it stings. I’ve started telling neighbors: if your roof’s getting up there in age, start budgeting for either a full replacement or at least big repairs every time we get hammered by storms. My last fix was $1,800 for a small section—felt like highway robbery for four hours’ work, but nobody else would even show up for less.
One thing I wish more people considered is using recycled or sustainable materials when they do have to replace sections. I went with recycled rubber shingles on my shed as a test run after the main house repair, and not only did they blend better (they seem to fade more evenly), but they were surprisingly tough against hail. If I could redo my whole roof, I’d seriously consider ditching asphalt altogether. The upfront cost is higher, sure, but you save on future repairs and you’re not sending torn-up shingles to the landfill every few years.
About leaks where new meets old—yeah, that’s a legit concern. My roofer actually put down an extra layer of waterproof membrane under the patch job and used some kind of sealant at the seams. No issues so far (knock on wood), but after seeing how much water can sneak in from just one loose shingle, I’m paranoid about every little bump up there.
If you’re thinking long-term and storms are becoming routine where you live, might be worth looking at alternatives next time around. The “cheap fix” route adds up faster than people realize when you’re doing it every couple of years.
If you’re thinking long-term and storms are becoming routine where you live, might be worth looking at alternatives next time around. The “cheap fix” route adds up faster than people realize ...
That “checkerboard effect” hits home—makes the whole place look like a patch job, even if it’s watertight underneath. I inspected a place last fall after a hailstorm and the owner had three different shingle colors on one slope. He joked it was “modern art,” but you could tell it bugged him. Labor’s a killer these days, too. I’ve seen small repairs hit $2k just because crews are so booked up. Funny thing, those recycled rubber shingles you mentioned—I’ve seen less granule loss on those after storms compared to asphalt, which surprised me. They’re not for everyone, but they’re tougher than folks think.
