Are you worried that your roofer will tear off your old roof only to discover rotten rafters, broken trusses, or other structural problems they aren't equipped to fix? What happens if the contractor you hired can replace shingles but can't handle the carpentry work needed to make sure the roof underneath them is actually structurally sound?
At RoofSmart, we’ve helped hundreds of customers update and redesign their roof framing and structure. Our 15 years of experience with roofing, framing, and carpentry allows us to identify and address structural issues that a standard roofing crew may not be prepared to handle, from rotten rafters and damaged trusses to more complicated roof redesigns.
In this article, we'll explain the difference between a standard roofer and a roofer with carpentry experience, when your project may require those additional skills, and what you should look for to make sure the contractor you hire is actually qualified to handle structural roofing work.
From what I’ve seen, most roofers in the Seattle area are focused on basic roofing jobs that only involve tearing off the old roof and replacing it. Only a few roofers (like us at RoofSmart) offer services beyond that, specifically those who are experienced in framing and carpentry.
This means that your roofer might be leaving structural issues unfixed on your roof. The last thing you want is for your newly replaced roof to collapse or have other issues due to weak framing.
To get a better idea of what a roofer with carpentry skills can offer you compared to a regular roofer, take a look at this comparison:
Basically, a roofer who has carpentry and framing skills can offer you a more comprehensive list of roofing services that you cannot get from everyone else.
Plus, when your roofer can take care of multiple projects, you don’t have to worry about hiring a carpenter and coordinating their work with your roofing contractor. Everything is run by one company, which makes the process much more efficient and easier for everyone (including you).
At RoofSmart, our crews provide a complete, lasting fix for structural problems, not just a cover-up. We pride ourselves on paying meticulous attention to detail and offering enough services to make sure that we can fix all of our customers’ roof problems.
|
Capability |
Standard Roofer |
Roofer With Carpentry Experience |
Why It Matters |
|
Tear off and replace roofing |
Yes |
Yes |
Basic roofing work |
|
Replace damaged plywood |
Yes |
Yes |
Common part of roof replacement |
|
Replace fascia boards |
Usually |
Yes |
Helps restore roof edges and gutter support |
|
Sister damaged rafter ends |
Sometimes |
Yes |
Repairs localized framing damage |
|
Replace rotten or broken rafters |
Usually limited |
Yes |
Addresses deeper structural problems |
|
Repair damaged trusses |
Usually no |
Yes |
Important when roof structure is compromised |
|
Correct under-framed roof sections |
Usually no |
Yes |
Helps prevent sagging or structural failure |
|
Reframe uneven or poorly sloped roof sections |
Usually no |
Yes |
Can improve drainage and roof performance |
|
Convert built-in gutters |
Usually no |
Yes |
Requires careful framing and carpentry |
|
Frame chimney chases or walls |
Usually no |
Yes |
Useful during major roof repairs or redesigns |
|
Handle siding-related carpentry |
Limited |
Yes |
Makes multi-system repairs easier |
|
Coordinate structural roof redesigns |
Rarely |
Yes |
Helpful for additions, vaulted ceilings, and major remodels |
|
Work from engineering plans |
Sometimes |
More likely |
Structural projects often require engineered details |
If your roof framing needs to be updated or you want to do a roof redesign project, then you’ll need to hire a roofer with carpentry and framing experience. Basically, any time you want to alter the framing of your roof in any way, you’ll need to hire a roofer who is experienced in framing.
Plus, if you are updating your roof framing, then you might need to hire an engineer to make sure that it is structurally sound and meets current building code. A roofer who is experienced with carpentry might be able to help you troubleshoot basic engineering issues, and for everything else, they will be able to recommend an engineer.
If you just need a basic roof replacement, then you don’t necessarily need to look for a roofing contractor who also has carpentry experience. But remember to still do your research so that you find someone reliable and experienced.
Finding a roofing contractor who is knowledgeable about carpentry is a matter of doing extra research. A good way to tell if a roofing contractor can help you with framing or carpentry work is if it’s listed on their website.
You can look for it on the list of services they offer or see if it’s mentioned anywhere else on their website. A roofing contractor that offers these skills should be advertising them very clearly on their website to make sure that you know they can do it.
But keep in mind that just because a roofer offers a service does not mean that they are skilled and knowledgeable in it. Here are some things that you can look for that better demonstrate skill and experience in framing or carpentry:
A trustworthy, knowledgeable roofer will be more than willing to answer any question that you have about the framing or carpentry work. Don’t be afraid to ask your roofer directly what experience they have with framing and carpentry, and (if you want) have them point you toward the reviews, testimonials, or case studies on their website.
Make sure to pay close attention to how they respond to your questions. Dodging your questions or giving vague answers is a huge red flag!
If your roofing project involves damaged framing, structural changes, or a complete roof redesign, choosing a contractor who can only replace roofing materials means you’ll need to search for another company to help with carpentry and framing. But already having a roofer with carpentry and framing experience means the same team can address problems beneath the roofing system instead of simply covering them up.
At RoofSmart, that ability allows us to take on more complicated projects involving damaged rafters and trusses, framing corrections, chimney chases, built-in gutter conversions, and other structural changes. When engineering is required, we can also work from those plans to make sure the finished roof is both functional and structurally sound.
Read our article “Why Choose RoofSmart to Help With Your Roof Redesign Project?” to learn how we approach complex roof redesigns, what our process looks like, and why having roofing and carpentry expertise under one roof can make these projects easier to manage.