Straight answers.
Roofing is a big, infrequent purchase and the industry has earned its skeptics. Here is exactly how this works, including how we get paid.
How accurate is a roof estimate from photos?
It is a ballpark range, not a fixed bid. Photos reliably show roof footprint, pitch, material and visible condition — which drive most of the cost.
What they cannot show: decking rot under the shingles, how many existing layers must come off, and ventilation problems. Those move the final number, so a firm price always needs a physical inspection.
How much does it cost to get an estimate?
Nothing. Getting a range from your photos is free to homeowners. Applied Exteriors is paid by the roofing contractors we refer you to — not by you.
Do I have to hire a contractor afterward?
No. There is no obligation. You choose whether to be matched with a contractor, and whether to hire anyone at all.
What happens to my photos and contact details?
If you ask to be matched, your details and photos are shared with roofing contractors in your area so they can quote the work. You explicitly consent to that before anything is shared, and the consent is recorded with a timestamp.
Should I get on my roof to take the photos?
No — please don't. Take every photo from the ground. Climbing a roof, especially a damaged or wet one, is dangerous and completely unnecessary for an estimate.
How does Applied Exteriors make money?
Contractors pay for the introduction to a homeowner who has requested a quote. The fee scales with the job — from about $25 for a small repair to as much as $1,000 for a large storm or replacement lead.
That is the honest incentive: we only earn when a contractor finds the introduction worthwhile, so we would rather send a few serious homeowners than a flood of cold ones.