A roof replacement is one of the biggest projects you'll do on your home, and most people only do it once or twice. That makes it hard to know what a fair estimate looks like, which materials matter, or what should happen on the day. This page walks through all of it, the way we'd explain it at your kitchen table.
Brothers Roofing and Construction is a family-owned roofing and construction company serving Columbus and Central Ohio. Owner Bill brings more than 25 years of roofing experience, and Brothers is City of Columbus licensed, insured and a GAF Certified contractor.
Signs it's time for a new roof
- Shingles curling, cracking or missing across large areas, not just one spot.
- Granules collecting in the gutters and bare, dark patches on the shingles.
- Leaks or ceiling stains that come back after being repaired, or show up in more than one room.
- A roofline that sags or dips between the rafters.
- Daylight in the attic, or damp and moldy insulation.
- A roof that already has a second layer over the first, so the next roof means tearing off both.
Not sure? The free inspection answers it, with photos.
How a replacement works with Brothers
- You call or fill in the form. We set a time to come out that works for you. We're available Monday through Saturday, 7AM to 7PM.
- Free inspection. We go up on the roof, take photos and measurements, and check the flashing, vents, gutters and attic.
- Written estimate. We walk you through what we found and what we recommend, with the materials and what's included spelled out. If financing would help, we'll explain how Hearth works.
- Materials and scheduling. Once you sign, we schedule the job and order materials. Your contract states the workmanship warranty length for your job.
- Tear-off and deck check. We remove the old roof down to the wood deck and replace any soft or rotten boards we find, documented with photos.
- Installation. Ice and water barrier at the eaves and valleys, synthetic underlayment, new drip edge, the shingles, starter and ridge caps, new flashing and pipe boots, and ventilation.
- Cleanup. Old materials are hauled away and we run a magnet over the yard and driveway for nails.
- Close-out. You get photos of the finished work. On a qualifying GAF roof, GAF requires us, as your certified contractor, to register your System Plus warranty within 45 days of installation. That's on us, not you.
Materials: what goes into a roof
The shingles are only the part you see. A roof that lasts is a system. Ice and water barrier keeps ice dams and wind-driven rain out at the edges and valleys. Underlayment is a second line of defense under the shingles. Flashing seals the joints at chimneys, walls and skylights. Ventilation lets heat and moisture out of the attic. When those parts come from one manufacturer and are installed to its specifications, the roof can qualify for that manufacturer's enhanced warranty. Brothers is a 2026 GAF Certified Residential Roofing Contractor, so a qualifying GAF roof we install can carry the GAF System Plus Limited Warranty.
We also install metal roofing. If you're weighing materials, we'll lay out the trade-offs for your house and budget at the estimate.
What affects the price of a replacement
We don't give prices over the phone, because the honest answer depends on things we have to see:
- The size of the roof in squares (100 square feet each) and how steep it is.
- How many old layers come off, and how much decking turns out to be damaged.
- The shingle line and the accessories in the system.
- Chimneys, skylights, valleys and walls that need new flashing.
- Access: number of stories, driveway space and landscaping to protect.
Comparing estimates? Check that each one includes a full tear-off, says how damaged decking is handled, names the underlayment and ice and water barrier, includes new flashing rather than reusing old, and spells out the warranty. A low number that leaves those out may not be the same roof.
Central Ohio weather and your roof
Central Ohio roofs see freeze-thaw cycles all winter, ice dams along the eaves, spring hail and summer wind storms. Ice dams form when a warm attic melts snow that refreezes at the cold edge of the roof, which is why ventilation and ice and water barrier matter as much here as the shingle itself. Fall is a popular time to replace a roof, but replacements happen in every season when the weather allows.
Warranties on a new roof
Two different warranties can apply. GAF's System Plus Limited Warranty covers defects in GAF's own products on a qualifying roof. Brothers' workmanship warranty covers our installation, for up to 10 years, with the length for your job stated in your contract. See what each one covers.
Questions we get asked
How do I know my roof needs replacing, not repairing?
Widespread curling or cracked shingles, bald spots where the granules have worn off, leaks in more than one place, a sagging roofline, or a roof that's already had a second layer put over it are all signs. One damaged area on an otherwise healthy roof is usually a repair. The free inspection will tell you which you have.
How long does a roof replacement take?
It depends on the size and pitch of the roof, how many layers come off, how much decking has to be replaced, and the weather. We'll tell you what to expect for your roof when we give you the estimate.
Do I need to be home during the work?
Not the whole time, but we'll want to walk through the plan with you before work starts and show you the finished job. It's a good idea to move cars out of the driveway and take fragile things off walls on the top floor, since tear-off can shake the house.
Who registers the GAF warranty?
GAF requires the certified contractor, which is us, to register a System Plus warranty within 45 days of installation. That's on us, not you, and our office tracks every roof against that deadline. GAF then sends the warranty to you directly.
Will my insurance pay for a new roof?
Sometimes. It depends on your policy, your deductible and what caused the damage. Insurance usually covers sudden damage like hail or wind, not normal wear. We'll document any storm damage with photos you can give your insurer. We don't file, handle or negotiate claims. More on insurance and roofs.
Can I finance a new roof?
Brothers offers financing through Hearth, a third-party financing platform. Your options depend on your own application with Hearth and are subject to credit approval.
Call (614) 436-5588 or use the form on this page to set up a free inspection and written estimate.