How can I get a free roof for my house?

Home remodeling is always expensive, especially regarding roof repair, as it is one of the most complicated jobs in terms of damage to a home. An average to remodel the entire roof is $7211 in Florida.

Natural disasters are widespread, especially hurricanes, which easily carry away roofs. In the face of these frequent unforeseen events, the roof needs to be replaced because of the age of the structure or for whatever reason. People affected by these events can access benefits to renovate their roofs, although not completely free of charge. 

How can I get a new roof for free in Florida?

When taking out homeowner’s insurance, homeowners often believe that the insurer will cover all the costs of replacing the roof. However, this is far from reality. The truth is that nothing is free, much less something that has such a high budget, such as a roof replacement.

However, it is possible to access programs for people who meet specific requirements and get help with structures such as shingles or building materials. Suppose you want to have a new roof for free in Florida. In that case, it is only possible for the most economically affected people.

Sometimes organizations do not have enough funds to repair the entire roof. Still, they can help homeowners with some money to get a new roof in Florida.

Before May 26, 2022, a law in Florida (“25% Roof Replacement Rule“) required residents to replace their entire roof if more than 25% of the top was damaged. This was amended in the 2020 Florida Building Code, and a complete roof replacement is no longer required.

Veterans and seniors can access programs such as the “Eldercare locator,” which provides monetary assistance to repair elderly people’s homes. There are also housing grants for veterans and service members with disabilities, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant, which awards up to $109,986 in 2024.

Do they do free roof estimates?

Typically, builders and companies dedicated to remodeling and replacement of roofs offer an initial inspection to make an average estimate of what it would cost to replace all or part of the roof.

This way, knowing which company is best for you will be more effortless since you can call several companies and ask each one for an estimated budget. This way, finding the assessment that best suits your needs will be much easier.

One of the most recognized companies in Florida that provides free estimates after verifying the condition of your roof is “Honest Abe Roofing,” or you can also call Allstate Construction Roofing Inc. for a free estimate in Orlando. Another company that provides free inspections is Roof Claim, situated in more than ten states in the USA.

TIP: Make sure the construction company you call provides the first consultation and free estimate.

How can I measure my roof?

Measuring the roof is one of the main steps that must be done to request an estimated budget. Depending on the size of the top will be the number of materials, labor, time, and, therefore, the money needed to change the roof. 

Although you can do this measurement yourself, it is advisable to hire a contractor to do it. Several companies do this work free of charge, so it would be of great help and prevention to call a specialist to avoid taking unnecessary risks and construction accidents. The worker will not only measure the roof, but based on that, he will give you an estimate of what it would cost to change the roof of your house.

You can do it yourself, so you should know some tricks to decipher how many square meters your roof has and how many need to be repaired. The excellent idea is to see the roof footprint rather than the square footage because it is an excellent method to get the roof measurements, although it is not exact. You must consider the slope and complexity of the roof, as the equation will change completely. 

• Gable roof slope: roof footprint x 1.3. 
• The pitch of the hipped roof: roof footprint x 1.4. 
• Steep roof: roof footprint x 1.6. 

IMPORTANT: Remember that the roof measurement differs from the house’s Footprint (the roof will always be more extensive). 

Are roof inspections free?

Roof inspections performed by construction companies generally cost between $70 and $200 for a general review. However, there are several types of assessments, which can cost as much as $600. 

That is due to the measurements of the roof and how the inspection is performed, since, with drone technology, for example, it is possible to detect the problem better since a much broader view is obtained than if the builder goes up to the roof. A drone inspection can range from $130 to $400. 

Some companies do infrared inspections, which makes it possible to determine internal roof problems that the human eye cannot see, such as underneath the roof. The examination is more complex than the previous ones, so the cost ranges from $400 to $600. 

Do you get a free roof with solar panels? 

Solar panels are increasingly in demand when building or replacing a roof. Using the sun’s energy and transforming it into electricity is a great idea, so it takes care of the environment and is a much more economical method that has grown significantly in recent years. 

Solar panels can be placed directly on the roof or used as a roof when building a house or when changing the top of the house. This energy system works perfectly without a “normal roof” underneath, so it can be installed perfectly without a roof beneath. 

You can get a “free roof” with solar panels. Still, it would not be accessible because while you save the cost of putting the new roof on, you will have to pay to have the panels put on correctly.

3 best free roof repair for seniors

There are several free programs for the most economically vulnerable seniors to have their roofs repaired, whether due to deterioration caused by natural disasters, unfavorable weather, or other reasons beyond the senior’s control. 

Seniors who wish to have their roofs repaired can go to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where they can access significant discounts that, while not covering all the costs, will help alleviate the expenses. Some non-profit organizations that help seniors get a new roof include the Department of Aging, the Section 504 Home Form program, The Housing Preservation Grant, Habitat for Humanity, and Rebuild Together, among others.

1. Department of Aging

The Department of Aging (Elder Affairs in Florida) is a government agency whose program is dedicated exclusively to seniors with financial assistance and grants to help them access a new roof, among other repairs that their homes may need. This department is located in different states and is dedicated to assisting seniors with access to a dignified life by offering additional services and grants to improve their quality of life.

2. Section 504 Home Form program

This program is designed to help those most financially disadvantaged and unable to afford to pay for the costs of a roof renovation. Section 504 program is a monetary loan granted by the government to Americans who need to renovate or build a home.  

3. The Housing Preservation Grant

Housing Preservation Grants is a USDA program available in almost every state. It dedicates $16,000,000 in funding to continue to help people who are recipients of the Housing Preservation Grant Program. This program is aimed at non-profit organizations and those needing rural home repair as long as they meet the requirements.  

Other programs to obtain free roofs for seniors

• Habitat for Humanity.
• Local Contractors.
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
• Rebuild Together.
• Single-Family Housing Form allotments and loans.
• Unqualified Charities.
• Weatherization Assistance Program.