These are the questions that do not fit our other guides. If yours is not here, call (605) 273-7260.
Can I roof my own house?
Yes, the city lets an owner who lives in a single-family house work on it, with a permit in the owner's name. Whether you should is another matter. Roofing is steep, heavy work with a real risk of falls. Shingle makers can refuse warranty claims on roofs that were not installed to their instructions, and mistakes at flashing and ice barrier show up as leaks a few winters later.
Is it safe to walk on my roof?
We advise against it. Do not walk on a roof that is wet, frosty, snow-covered or steep. Walking also scuffs granules off hot shingles and can crack cold ones. Most checks can be done from the ground with binoculars, or from the attic. Leave the rest to someone with fall protection.
Will the crew clean up the nails?
Yes. Our crew cleans up at the end of the job and walks the property with you. Nails are the main worry after a tear-off, and a magnetic sweeper over the lawn, beds and driveway is the usual way to collect them. Ask how it will be done. Tell us about pets, children's play areas and any place you want checked twice.
Will a new roof lower my energy bill or my insurance?
A new roof alone lowers an energy bill only a little. Bigger savings come from the attic work that is easiest to do at the same time: sealing air leaks, adding insulation and fixing ventilation. On insurance, some companies give a discount for a new roof or for Class 4 impact-resistant shingles. We cannot promise one. Ask your agent.
Does a new roof add value to the house?
Yes, a new roof adds value, though not always its full cost. Its main effect at resale is to remove an objection. Buyers and inspectors look hard at roofs here because of hail, and a recent roof with paperwork makes a house easier to sell and to insure.
Do you work on businesses and multi-unit buildings?
Yes. We work on flat commercial roofs and pitched residential roofs, for businesses, landlords and associations. That covers TPO, PVC, EPDM, modified bitumen and built-up roofs, coatings, sheet metal and maintenance. Larger roofs take longer than a house and are planned around tenants and opening hours.
Do you give free estimates?
Yes. We give free estimates, and the roof inspection is free too. We get on the roof, take photos and give you a written quote with repair and replacement options.
Which towns do you serve?
We serve Sioux Falls and nearby towns: Brandon, Harrisburg, Tea, Hartford, Dell Rapids, Lennox, Canton, Crooks, Baltic, Renner, Worthing and Valley Springs. Permit rules differ from town to town, and we check them for your address.
Are there grants or programs that help pay for a roof?
True grants for roofs are rare, but two programs are worth a call. The City of Sioux Falls runs a Single-Family Rehabilitation Program for low and moderate income owners who have lived in their home for at least a year. It lists repair or replacement of a worn or leaking roof, and the help is a deferred loan without interest, not a grant. The city's housing line is 605-367-8180. Outside the city, USDA Rural Development has the Section 504 Home Repair program for very low income owners in eligible rural areas, with loans, and with grants for owners aged 62 or older. Each program decides who qualifies.
My neighbor's tree fell on my roof. Whose insurance pays?
In most cases your own homeowners policy pays for damage to your house, less your deductible, even when the tree was the neighbor's. Your insurer may then pursue the neighbor if the tree was known to be dead or dangerous and nothing was done. Take photos before anything is moved, have the hole tarped and call your insurer. This is general information. Your policy and your insurer decide.
I am a landlord with a leaking rental and a tenant complaining. What should I do?
Fix it promptly and keep a record. South Dakota law says the lessor of residential premises shall keep them in reasonable repair and fit for human habitation, unless the tenant caused the damage (SDCL 43-32-8). Get the roof inspected, stop the leak with a temporary repair if the permanent one has to wait, and tell the tenant the plan in writing. This is general information, not legal advice.
A free roof inspection with photos and a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your roof. Call (605) 273-7260 or send the form on this page.