Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about inspections, insurance claims, service areas, and the work we do. Don’t see your question? Reach out — we’ll get back to you the same day.
Diagnosis & Damage
Why should I get my roof inspected after a storm?
Not all storm damage is visible from the ground. Small cracks, loose shingles, or weakened areas can lead to leaks, mold, rotting wood, or structural issues. An inspection also supports insurance claims, which often have time limits for filing.
How do I know if I need a new roof?
Five signs you need a new roof: shingles curling, cupping, or missing; granules collecting in gutters; visible roof deck sagging; daylight visible from the attic; or a roof age over 20-25 years. In Kansas City, hail damage is the most common trigger — a free inspection confirms whether repair or replacement is appropriate.
What does hail damage look like on a roof?
Hail leaves circular bruises on asphalt shingles where granules are stripped, exposing the dark mat underneath. Damage clusters on the side facing the storm. Soft metals show damage first — gutters, vents, and flashing dent before shingles. From the ground it is nearly invisible; an in-attic inspection plus a roof walk catches both.
How long does a roof last in Kansas City?
A standard architectural asphalt shingle roof in Kansas City lasts 20-25 years on average. The KC climate — hail, freeze-thaw cycles, summer heat — shortens roof life compared to milder regions. Premium shingles like CertainTeed Landmark Pro can reach 30+ years; metal roofing 40-70 years; cedar shake 25-30 years with maintenance.
How can I tell if my roof has hail damage?
Walk your property after the storm and check soft metals first — dented gutters, downspouts, AC condenser fins, and window screens are the easiest hail evidence to spot from the ground. If those show hits, the roof almost certainly does too. Schedule a free professional inspection within 48 hours to document everything for insurance.
What types of storm damage do you repair?
We repair all types of storm damage including hail damage, wind damage, ice damage, unexplained roof leaks, and visible damage to roofing and gutters. We also help with insurance claim documentation.
What size hail damages a roof?
Hail 1 inch in diameter (a quarter) or larger almost always damages asphalt shingles. Smaller hail still bruises the mat under the granules — invisible from the ground but visible to a trained inspector. Insurance carriers in Missouri and Kansas typically cover any hail event of 1 inch or larger.
Pricing
How much does a roof inspection cost?
Hometown Roofing offers completely FREE roof inspections for homeowners in the Kansas City metro area. A certified roofing specialist will inspect your roof in person (approximately 45 minutes) and provide a detailed report.
How much does a new roof cost in Kansas City?
Most Kansas City re-roofs run $9,000 to $18,000 for an average single-family home (1,800-2,400 sq ft) with architectural asphalt shingles. Metal roofing runs $25,000-$45,000. Final cost depends on square footage, roof pitch, tear-off layers, and decking condition. Storm-damage replacements are usually covered by insurance minus your deductible.
How much does it cost to replace gutters in Kansas City?
Standard 5" K-style aluminum gutters cost $7-$13 per linear foot installed in Kansas City — roughly $1,200 to $2,500 for an average home with 150-200 linear feet. Seamless gutters cost slightly more; copper or galvanized steel runs $20-$40 per foot. Includes downspouts, hangers, and old gutter removal.
How much does exterior painting cost in Kansas City?
Exterior house painting in Kansas City typically costs $4,000 to $9,000 for a 2,000 sq ft home, depending on stories, prep work, and paint grade. Premium Sherwin-Williams Emerald or Duration lines cost more upfront but last 10-15 years versus 5-7 for basic paint. Includes pressure wash, scrape, prime, caulk, and trim.
How much does new siding cost in Kansas City?
Vinyl siding in Kansas City costs $7,500 to $15,000 for an average home. Fiber cement (James Hardie) runs $13,000 to $25,000. LP SmartSide engineered wood falls between at $10,000-$20,000. Cost varies with square footage, trim complexity, and whether tear-off of old siding is required. Insurance often covers hail-damaged siding.
How much does a metal roof cost in Kansas City?
Metal roofing in Kansas City costs $25,000 to $45,000 for an average home — roughly 2-3x the price of asphalt shingles. The tradeoff: metal lasts 40-70 years versus 20-25 for shingles, withstands hail better, and lowers cooling costs. Standing seam runs more than corrugated; coated steel costs less than aluminum or copper.
Timeline
How long does it take to replace a roof?
A typical asphalt shingle roof replacement takes 1 to 2 days in Kansas City for an average single-family home. Tear-off, decking inspection, underlayment, shingles, and cleanup all fit in that window with a full crew. Larger or steeper roofs, metal installations, or complex valleys can extend to 3-5 days.
How long does a roof inspection take?
A professional roof inspection takes about 45 minutes to an hour. The inspector walks the roof, photographs damage, checks the attic for leaks or daylight, examines flashing and penetrations, and reviews gutters and downspouts. Hometown Roofing provides a written report with photos at the end of every free inspection.
How long does an insurance roof claim take?
A roof insurance claim in Missouri or Kansas typically resolves in 4 to 8 weeks from filing to first payment. Adjuster appointment usually happens within 7-14 days. Faster if the storm is regionally declared; slower during active storm seasons when carriers are backlogged. Having a contractor at the adjuster meeting speeds approval.
Process
What happens during a roof replacement?
Day 1: tear-off of old shingles, underlayment inspection, decking repair if needed, ice-and-water shield + felt underlayment installation, drip edge, valleys, then shingles starting from eaves up. Day 2: ridge caps, vents, flashing, magnetic-roller cleanup of nails, final walkthrough with the homeowner. Most KC roofs finish in 1-2 days.
Materials
What is the best roofing material for Kansas City?
Architectural asphalt shingles (CertainTeed Landmark, GAF Timberline) are the best choice for most Kansas City homes — strong hail resistance, 25-30 year life, insurance-friendly, and reasonable price. Metal roofing wins on longevity and storm resistance if budget allows. Cedar shake and tile are rare in KC because of the climate's freeze-thaw cycles.
Are impact-resistant shingles worth it in Kansas City?
Yes. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles (CertainTeed NorthGate, GAF Armorshield) cost about 15-25% more than standard but typically qualify for an annual insurance premium discount of 5-30% in Missouri and Kansas. In a hail-prone metro like KC, the ROI usually breaks even within 5-7 years through insurance savings alone.
What is the best siding for Kansas City weather?
Fiber cement siding (James Hardie) is the top choice for Kansas City — resists hail, fire, and termites; holds paint 15+ years; and qualifies for some insurance discounts. LP SmartSide is a strong runner-up at lower cost. Vinyl is the budget option but cracks in extreme cold and dents in hail more readily than the alternatives.
Insurance Claims
Does insurance cover roof replacement?
Homeowner's insurance covers roof replacement when damage results from a covered peril — most commonly hail, wind, falling trees, or fire. Wear-and-tear, age, and lack of maintenance are not covered. In Kansas City, hail and high wind are the most common triggers. The carrier pays replacement cost minus your deductible.
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim in Missouri?
Most Missouri homeowner's policies require notice of a storm-damage claim within 12 months of the date of loss, but some carriers shorten this to as little as 6 months. The clock starts on the storm date, not when you noticed damage. File early — even if you are unsure damage occurred. You can withdraw later if not.
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim in Kansas?
Kansas homeowner's policies typically require notice within 12 months of the storm date, though specific carrier deadlines vary from 6 to 24 months. The Kansas Insurance Department recommends filing as soon as damage is suspected. Documentation from a roofing inspection helps establish the date of loss for any claim filed later.
Will my insurance go up after a hail claim?
A single hail claim typically does not increase your premium because hail is classified as an "act of God" — not driver behavior. Multiple claims within a 3-year window can trigger a rate review or non-renewal. Your deductible still applies, and CLUE-report tracking means future carriers see the claim history.
Should I get a roof inspection before filing a claim?
Yes. A free professional inspection before filing tells you whether real damage exists, what it will cost to fix, and whether the repair exceeds your deductible — all of which help you decide if filing is worthwhile. Filing without damage can mark you as a frequent claimant. Inspections are documentation, not a claim trigger.
Do you work with insurance companies?
Yes. We provide detailed inspection reports that support your insurance claim. Many policies have time limits for filing storm damage claims, so getting an inspection quickly after a storm is important.
Service Area
What areas do you serve?
We proudly serve both sides of the KC metro. Specifically but not limited to Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass counties on the Missouri side, and Johnson, Wyandotte, and Leavenworth counties on the Kansas side.
Do you service both Missouri and Kansas sides of the KC metro?
Yes. Hometown Roofing KC is licensed to work on both sides of the state line. We regularly complete projects in Lee's Summit, Independence, Liberty, and Kansas City MO; and in Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee, and Kansas City KS. Same crew, same warranty, same response time on either side.
Financing
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Through our partner Acorn Finance, homeowners can pre-qualify for project financing in about 60 seconds with no impact to their credit score. Loans go up to $100,000, with funds available as soon as the next business day, so you can pay over time instead of all at once. Hometown Roofing is not a lender — Acorn Finance and its lending partners issue and service the loans, subject to credit approval.
Other Services
Do you do commercial roofing?
Yes. Hometown Roofing provides commercial roofing for businesses, warehouses, retail, and multi-unit properties in Kansas City. We offer TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, and standing seam metal roofing for flat and low-slope commercial roofs. Free commercial assessments available.
Do you do siding replacement?
Yes. Hometown Roofing installs vinyl, fiber cement (James Hardie), and LP SmartSide siding across the Kansas City metro. Because hail and wind often damage siding at the same time they damage a roof, we frequently handle both on a single insurance claim — one crew, one schedule, one warranty, and color-matched trim, soffit, and fascia.
Do you install replacement windows?
Yes. We install ENERGY STAR-certified replacement windows engineered for the Kansas City climate zone — double-pane low-E glass with argon fill, in double-hung, casement, slider, picture, and bay styles. We offer both full-frame and insert installations and carry lifetime limited warranties on most product lines.
Do you paint the exterior of houses?
Yes. We paint exteriors using Sherwin-Williams Emerald and Duration top-tier exterior lines, with full prep — pressure wash, scrape, prime, caulk, and spot repair. Trim, soffit, fascia, and front-door refresh are included. Every exterior painting project comes with a written 7-year workmanship warranty, and we often pair it with new siding or a new roof so the whole exterior is finished at once.