Asked before the contract is signed

Architectural asphalt shingles usually last 25 to 30 years and basic three-tab shingles 15 to 20. Metal runs 40 to 70. In the Upstate, summer heat, shade and attic ventilation move those numbers up or down, so we look at your roof before we guess.

It depends on the roof's size in squares, how steep it is, the material, how many layers come off, and what we find in the deck. We don't quote a number before we have seen the roof, and the written estimate lists what it includes.

Sometimes, but we usually tear off. Code limits a second layer, and a re-cover hides the deck, which is where most hidden problems are.

Most houses take one to three days. A large, steep or metal roof takes longer, and a wet forecast can add a day.

Usually, for a full replacement. Your estimate says who pulls it and what the fee is, so it isn't a surprise on the last day.

We tear off only what we can dry in that day and cover whatever is open. If a storm is coming, the crew stops early and tells you.

Curling or missing shingles, a lot of granules in the gutters, stains or daylight in the attic, damaged flashing, and a roof near the end of its expected life. One sign usually means a repair; several mean a conversation.

Not always. They are replaced when they are damaged, sagging or too small for the roof. We tell you which, and gutters are priced as a separate line.

Two kinds, from two different companies. The shingle maker backs the material, and we back our own workmanship. Both are written down, with the terms, before you sign.

It means the life of the warranty holder's ownership, for manufacturing defects, with limits and often a reduced payout after the first years. Read the terms for whose life, what is covered and who registers it.

Some extended shingle warranties can only be registered by contractors the manufacturer has enrolled. Ask any roofer for the program name and the paperwork, and don't take a logo for an answer.

Move cars out of the driveway, take fragile things off walls on the top floor, cover what is in the attic, and keep children and pets inside. Tell us about sprinkler heads and any plants you want to protect.

Your written estimate says what is due before work starts and when the balance is due. Read that part before you sign.

Yes. We walk the roof, look in the attic and write down the material, the condition by slope and whether we would repair or replace. A buyer's inspector may see more, and the report says what we could not reach.

Mostly not. They are algae, which thrives in humid Upstate summers, and they are cosmetic. Moss is different because it lifts shingle edges. Clean gently, never with a pressure washer, and zinc or copper strips slow regrowth.

For sudden damage, subject to your policy. Insurance does not pay for wear, age or poor maintenance. You decide whether to file a claim, and you deal with your insurer. Your deductible stays with you.