Why can't a roofer give me an exact repair price over the phone?

Because the biggest cost drivers can't be seen from the street. A small stain on the ceiling can come from a lifted shingle, failed flashing around a chimney or wet decking that has been soaking for months. We need to inspect the roof, and often the attic, before we can tell you what the repair involves. The estimate is free, and it's in writing.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace my roof?

A repair almost always costs less up front. But if the shingles are near the end of their life, the leaks keep moving, or the decking is soft in several places, repeated repairs can add up to more than a new roof would. We'll tell you honestly which one makes sense for your roof.

Do chimneys and skylights make a repair cost more?

Often, yes. Anything that goes through the roof needs flashing, and flashing is one of the most common leak points. Working around a chimney or skylight takes more time and more detail work than fixing an open section of shingles.

Do you offer financing for roof repairs?

Financing available. Ask us about it when we give you your written estimate.

What Factors Into the Cost of Roof Repair?

By the Allabaugh Construction team · August 16, 2022 · Updated September 25, 2026

Repairing a roof is rarely as simple as swapping a few shingles, and our roofers see that every week on homes across New Jersey and Northeast Pennsylvania. Several things affect the time a repair takes and what it costs. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at what we weigh when we put together a roof repair estimate.

Roof Size and Shape

The size of the roof is one of the first things a contractor considers. A bigger roof, or one that steps across several levels, takes more time to set up and work on. Shape matters too. A steep roof, or one with lots of hips, valleys and dormers, is slower and more demanding to repair than a simple, low-pitch gable, because the crew needs more safety setup and more cutting and fitting around each change in plane. Many of the older two-story homes and Cape Cods in our area have steep pitches and dormers, so this comes up often.

Roof Features

Chimneys, skylights, plumbing vents and exhaust fans make a home work, but every one of them is a hole in the roof sealed with flashing. They can make even a minor repair more involved, and they are some of the most common places for water to sneak in and cause roof leaks later on.

Some roofers charge a base rate and add separate charges for these features, and others quote the whole job at once. Either way, ask up front how they're handled. If a chimney needs masonry work beyond the flashing, a mason may need to be part of the job.

How Much Damage There Is

One of the first things we ask on site is why the repair is needed. A small problem, like a few shingles lifted by wind, is a quick fix. Serious damage, like water that has been soaking the decking or rafters for a long time, takes longer, needs more material and is more labor-intensive.

In Northeast Pennsylvania and New Jersey, winter is hard on roofs. Freeze-thaw cycles, ice dams and heavy wet snow can turn a small leak into rotted decking by spring. Catching problems early, especially after a big storm, is the best way to keep a repair small. If storm damage is the cause, see our storm damage roof repair page.

We don't believe in charging you for repairs that won't actually fix the problem long-term. If your roof is too far gone to repair properly, we'll tell you, and we'll talk through a roof replacement instead.

Materials Used

The material being repaired matters. Asphalt shingles are the most common roof in our area, and replacing a section of them is usually a straightforward job. Other materials, such as metal, slate or tile, typically need specialist parts and skills. Flat and low-slope sections have their own considerations, and we repair EPDM flat roofing on porches, additions and low-slope sections.

Matching also plays a part. Shingles fade over time and product lines change, so an exact color match on an older roof isn't always possible.

Access and Timing

Tight lots, landscaping, decks and steep driveways can affect how easily a crew can set up ladders, get materials to the roof and haul debris away. Urgency matters too. An active leak that needs a same-week fix and temporary protection is different from a repair that can be scheduled around the weather.

Get an Honest Roof Repair Estimate

When your roof is damaged, don't wait for the next storm to make it worse. We'll inspect it, explain what we found and give you a free written estimate. Financing available. We're a GAF-certified contractor licensed in New Jersey (HIC #13VH09734600) and Pennsylvania (HIC #PA162561), serving towns such as Hamilton, NJ and Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Call our NJ office at (609) 477-0487, our PA office at (814) 330-4897, or contact us online.