Repair or replace a roof? Compare the finding first

Ask what each option fixes

A limited repair and a full replacement may address different risks. Ask for the cause or condition identified, the area of work and the limitations of the proposed option. Roof age and material type provide context but do not replace an assessment. Compare both recommendations against the same documented concern.

Identify what remains

Ask which surrounding materials are retained and what the business knows about their condition. A repair can leave unrelated deterioration untouched; replacement can still exclude concealed damage or interior restoration. A scope should explain retained components and excluded work. Record unanswered questions before approving either approach.

Separate initial cost from scope changes

Compare assessment charges, proposed work, allowances for concealed conditions and change-order terms. Do not turn an online price range into a quote for your property. Ask how an unexpected finding is documented and priced, and who authorizes it. Keep the written terms beside each proposal.

Choose a clear next decision

If the finding is unclear, request clarification before selecting a project. If options are materially different, ask the business to explain the tradeoff in plain language. The proposal comparison worksheet helps you organize the scope, responsibilities and warranty terms. The decision remains specific to the property and receiving contractor.

Compare a repair boundary with a replacement boundary

For a Seattle-area home, begin with one documented concern and request two clearly labelled boundaries. The repair option should identify the part it addresses, the adjacent components it retains and the reason for that limit. The replacement option should identify what it removes, what it retains and what remains excluded. Ask where each option depends on a concealed condition that has not yet been inspected. This avoids comparing a limited surface repair against a larger assembly change as if the difference were only price. Write the unanswered question beside the relevant option; do not fill it with a roof-age rule from an online article.

Connect the roof findings to the actual address

Seattle SDCI separates permit-exempt roof work from projects that change a building’s structure or envelope. Keep covering, sheathing and structural work distinct in the assessed scope. For a property outside Seattle city limits, ask the responsible city or King County authority about that same written description. Keep insurer decisions separate from the contractor’s findings and project approvals.

A Seattle-area check before authorizing work

Use Washington L&I’s Verify tool to check the actual business, then use the physical address to identify the building authority. Keep the finding, included roof components and exclusions in writing. A contractor registration search does not replace your assessment of the proposed work.

Local project sources

Checked October 11, 2026. Confirm current requirements for the actual address and scope.

Seattle SDCI: check the project and permit requirements ↗

Washington L&I: compare scope and verify the business ↗

Two-option decision worksheet