It Changed in 2022 and Nobody Told the Homeowners

For years the working rule was that repairing more than a quarter of a roof triggered replacing the whole thing. That was amended, and a great many homeowners are still being told the old position by people who benefit from a larger job. It is worth confirming directly rather than accepting it.

It is worth understanding why the change was made. The previous position meant that a homeowner with damage to one slope of an otherwise sound roof was required to replace a roof that was performing perfectly well, which was wasteful and expensive at exactly the moment people could least afford it.

Call the building department, give them the address and the approximate age of the roof, and ask what they apply to partial repairs and what documentation they would want. Departments answer this routinely and they are the authority on it.

Then take that answer back to the contractors quoting. A contractor who adjusts their position readily is worth continuing with; one who insists on the older reading after the department has said otherwise has told you something useful.

1. 01Raise the partial repair question rather than assuming replacement.
2. 02Assess extent honestly rather than to the larger answer.
3. 03Refer the rule question to your building department.
4. 04Document the damage for your insurer either way.

Call your building department and ask directly. It is one phone call, they will tell you what they apply, and it is the fastest way to find out whether the full replacement you were quoted is actually required.

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