How Much Does it Cost to Repair Storm Damage on a Roof in Seattle?

Are you worried about how much it will cost to repair your roof after a recent storm? Are you frustrated at the lack of resources available to explain how much storm damage repairs cost in the Greater Seattle area?

At RoofSmart, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners just like you repair or replace your roof after a wind storm. We are located in the Greater Seattle area, so we are familiar with how expensive this area can be.

We know it’s frustrating to research repair costs online and then be told in person that your roof repair will cost more than you thought. This is because many online sources focus on national averages or are specific to other areas.

However, the Greater Seattle area has higher prices due to the higher cost of living here, and we believe that residents in this area just like you deserve to know ahead of time. The average roof repair costs for storm damage range from around $1,000 to around $20,000.

In this article, you’ll learn how much it costs to fix different types of damage caused by storms and how factoring in insurance can impact how much you pay. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how much it will cost to repair the storm damage on your roof before meeting with a roofer or your insurance company.

What are common examples of roof repairs for storm damage with costs?

The cost to repair your roof after storm damage can vary widely. However, the wide range is anywhere from around $1,000 to around $20,000.

Here are some specific examples of storm damage repairs with costs:

• Replacing missing shingles: This will probably be around $1,000 for labor and materials to replace a few shingles that have blown off. If multiple areas on the roof lose shingles, then that will increase the cost.
• Interior damage mitigation (drying walls, floors, or insulation): Drying out and attending to water damage as a result of roof damage will probably range from $3,000 to $5,000. Again, this range can vary depending on the extent of the water damage.
• Replacing damaged drywall: This usually ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 for a small section that was impacted by a leak.
• Removing a tree that went through the house: Depending on how extensive the damage is and how the tree entered the house, this can cost $1,500 to $20,000. There might be a minimal amount of branch removal, or the whole tree might’ve gone through your home.
• Adding a tarp to cover leaks: This can cost $500 to $1,500 depending on how complicated the tarping job is and how much of an emergency it is. A bigger roof is or a roof that has more levels then it will increase the cost to put on the tarp.

What are the factors that impact the cost of repairing a roof after storm damage?

Even for specific types of damage, the cost of repairs varies widely. In a storm, there are many different variables that make it difficult to know what can happen. Every situation is unique.

1.) How much damage does your roof have?

If you have trees on or around your property, you don’t know for sure how badly your house might be hit in a windstorm. It could be fairly minimal, with only a branch going through the roof. Though this will lead to damage, it will be contained to one spot and likely a straightforward fix.

On the other hand, you could have an entire tree fall on or go through your house, causing damage not only to the roof but also to the surrounding areas. It can easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair that level of damage.

You might be missing 2 or 3 shingles, or you could have multiple patches all over the roof with missing shingles. A small repair won’t cost much, but there might be so much damage that you have to replace the whole roof.

Basically, the more damage you have, the more it will cost.

2.) Not taking steps to prevent further damage

When you have a lot of damage to your home, it can be easy to miss problems until the area gets cleaned up and you can get an expert to assess it. If you don’t take immediate action to prevent further damage, it can potentially cause further problems and increase the cost of repairs.

In a rainy area like Seattle, storm damage to your roof can easily lead to a leak. Leaving a roof leak for too long without repairing it can make the damage to your home significantly worse. It can quickly add $10,000 or more to the total cost.

For example, a leak that lets water into your attic or other heated areas of your home is the perfect recipe for mold, and it can happen in just 48 hours. Mold can grow and spread quickly, making it a difficult and expensive problem to deal with.

Leaks can also cause rotting wood and structural damage, which can cost anywhere from $1,000 to upwards of $10,000 to fix.

You’ll also be at risk of losing your insurance coverage. If you can, put a tarp over damaged areas and do your best to remove debris. If you cannot do it yourself, call in a roofer to help. It is best to get them to your home for emergency repairs as soon as possible.

3.) Other factors that increase the cost of a repair

• The steepness of the roof
• Yard accessibility

If your roof is very steep or your roof is difficult to access (or both), this can increase the cost of labor by a few hundred or a few thousand dollars because the roofers will have to take extra steps to work on your roof.

How does having insurance impact the cost of storm damage on my roof?

The good news is that most insurance companies offer coverage for storm damage. How much coverage you get will depend on these things:

• The type of coverage you have
• The policies followed by your insurance company

If your insurance company covers storm damage and there is a lot of damage to your roof then there’s a good chance your repair costs will be fully covered. So, you might not have to worry about the cost too much.

If your insurance doesn’t cover the entire cost of the repair, you might still get some compensation, which would bring down costs on your end.

In some cases, the damage is minimal enough that your insurance company might not cover it. For example, if it’s just a small repair ( like having a few shingles blow off) and it’s easy enough to patch it, you might not need to file a claim.

But, even in the case of a small repair, if you’ve got anything other than an asphalt roof, you’re probably going to be better off filing a claim because it can actually become a very expensive repair.

What’s Next in Repairing Storm Damage on Your Roof?

Storm damage doesn’t have to mean stress. We’ve explored the common repair costs, factors that influence pricing, and the role of insurance in reducing your out-of-pocket expenses. The cost to repair damage to your roof from the storm can vary a lot depending on the type and extent of damage.

This article helped you assess the potential costs on your own, but to get a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the cost you’ll need to hire a roofing contractor to inspect your roof. To get the best possible inspection, you’ll want to hire a qualified roofing contractor.

Not sure how to know if a roofing contractor is qualified? Read our article “How Do I Know If A Roofing Contractor is Qualified?”.

Are you ready to file an insurance claim but want guidance? Check out our article “4 Steps For Filing An Insurance Claim For Roof Damage After a Storm” for a step-by-step guide.