You do not need to be home while we work on your project, although you’re welcome to be there if you prefer. In most cases, our team does not require access to the inside of your home as long as we can reach your exterior water source and outdoor power outlets. These are important because we use battery‑powered tools and operate essential equipment needed to complete your job efficiently and safely.

Occasionally, a fuse may trip, and we might need access to your fuse box to restore power and continue working. It’s also important to know that some of our tools generate noise that can travel through the home and become quite loud.

If you plan to stay home during the project, please keep thenoise level in mind. Many homeowners choose to step out for comfort, but remain available by phone in case we have questions or need your input.

Proper ventilation plays a crucial role in protecting your home, improving energy efficiency, and preventing long‑term damage. It begins with having the right amount of insulation in the heated areas of your home. From there, soffit vents and roof vents work together to create consistent airflow between the inside and outside of your attic or roof system. There are several types of ventilation systems: ridge vents,box vents, soffit vents, gable vents, and more, but they all serve the sameessential purpose: to allow fresh air to enter and warm, moist air to escape. When your home has balanced ventilation, it helps regulate temperature, reduce moisture buildup, and maintain a healthier roofing system. A properly ventilated home can improve overall energy efficiency, teduce strain on heating and cooling systems,  prevent moisture problems and mold growth, extend the lifespan of your roof and minimize the risk of ice dams, which can lead to leaks and costly water damage. Without adequate airflow, heat and moisture become trapped, creating conditions that can damage insulation, shingles, and structural components. Investing in proper ventilation is one of the most effective ways to protect your home year-round.

Without adequate airflow, heat and moisture become trapped,creating conditions that can damage insulation, shingles, and structural components. Investing in proper ventilation is one of the most effective ways to protect your home year-round.

In most situations, a garage does need proper ventilation, especially if it is heated, insulated, or you plan to heat or insulate it in the future. Adequate ventilation helps control moisture, prevents mold growth, and protects the structure from long‑term damage. A professional inspection can determine whether your garage currently meets ventilation requirements or if upgrades are needed.

When new roof vents are added, it often requires additional soffit venting and the installation of ventilation chutes to ensure that aircan move freely from the soffit up to the roof. This creates a balanced airflow system that keeps temperatures and humidity levels stable.

Ultimately, your local building codes determine the exact ventilation requirements for garages and other structures. Following thesecodes ensures safety, energy efficiency, and long‑term performance.

Zablocki Roofing & Exteriors does not simply “work for whatever the insurance pays.” Instead, we work directly with you and your insurance company to ensure that every item covered in your policy is properly repaired or replaced. Our goal is to make sure the scope of work reflects what is actually needed to restore your home, not just the initial estimate an adjuster provides.

We negotiate a fair and accurate price with your insurance company based on real material and labor costs, and we make sure that any required items, such as code‑mandated upgrades are included. Some adjusters may not be familiar with local building codes, including requirements like removing all layers of shingles. When these situations arise, we advocate on your behalf to ensure the project meets both code and quality standards.

Throughout the process, we keep you informed of our discussions with your insurance company. Transparency matters to us, and we believe you should always know what is happening when we are representing your interests.

In most cases, you are not required to get three estimates. Many insurance companies suggest speaking with more than one contractor, but they do not expect you to collect multiple bids. Their main goal is to make sure the work is completed correctly, meets local building codes, and does not result in unexpected or hidden costs for you.

Choosing a reputable contractor you trust is far more important than gathering a specific number of estimates. As long as the contractor’s pricing is fair and the scope of work aligns with what your policy covers, your insurance company will typically accept the estimate you choose to move forward with.

In most cases, yes we do offer free inspections and estimates. However, there are times when the demand for service is extremely high, such as after a hailstorm or during the busy summer season. During these periods, we receive far more requests than we can physically complete while still providing the level of quality and responsiveness our customers expect. A thorough inspection takes time, and sending a representative to your property means stepping away from ongoing projects that also require attention.

Because we handle customers on a first‑come, first‑served basis, we may occasionally need to charge a small fee to visit your property. This helps us manage our schedule responsibly and ensures that every inspection we perform is detailed, accurate, and worth your time. If you choose to move forward with us within a year, that inspection fee is typically credited back toward the cost of your new roof.

For homeowners who want a fast, efficient option, we offer our Quick Inspection, and for those who want a deeper, more comprehensive evaluation, we recommend our Perfection Inspection. Both options are designed to give you clear, reliable information so you can make confident decisions about your home.

In most cases, the answer is no. The federal energy rebate for roofing materials was primarily designed for homes in the southern United States, where cooling costs are significantly higher and reflective roofing materials can make a substantial impact on energy use. Because Minnesota and other northern states experience very different climate demands, most standard roofing systems here do not qualify for those specific energy rebates.

It’s very common for one home to qualify for storm‑related roof replacement while the house next door does not. Several factors influence an insurance company’s decision, including the age and condition of your roof, the type of coverage you carry, and the findings of the specific inspector assigned to your claim. Even small differences, such as trees shielding your roof, the direction the storm traveled, or how wind and hail impacted individual structures can lead to different outcomes.

Storms rarely cause uniform damage, so insurance companies rely on documented evidence of actual impact before approving a replacement. If you’re unsure whether your roof was affected, a professional assessment can help you understand your situation clearly and determine whether a claim is appropriate.

Whether you receive a full replacement depends on the specific details of your insurance policy and the coverage options you selected. In Minnesota, insurance companies are only required to replace the damaged portion of your roof or siding, and they are allowed to use the closest available match when the original material is no longer manufactured.

Some policies include additional matching or replacement clauses, while others do not. Because of this, outcomes can vary from one homeowner to another. Reviewing your policy or speaking with your adjuster can help you understand what your coverage allows in situations where materials have been discontinued.

Current building codes require that all existing shingles be removed before a new roof is installed. This is because the roof deck must be fully exposed so it can be inspected for damaged, soft, or rotted boards. Installing new shingles over old ones would hide underlying problems, prevent proper repairs, and reduce the overall lifespan and performance of the new roof. Removing the old shingles ensures the new roofing system is installed correctly, safely, and in compliance with code.

While it doesn’t happen often, the process of removing old shingles and installing a new roof can create enough vibration to cause loose or delicate items inside your home to shift or fall. Tools, nail guns, and the general movement on the roof can transfer subtle vibrations through the structure. Asking you to take fragile items off your interior walls is simply a precaution to protect your valuables and prevent accidental damage during the roofing process.

CertainTeed ended its second‑owner warranty program on October 4, 2011. Because of this change, only the original homeowners who installed the organic shingles may still qualify for the defective shingle program. If you purchased your home after the shingles were installed, the warranty coverage typically does not transfer, which is why second‑owner claims are often denied.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility or need help understanding your options moving forward, we can review your situation and provide guidance based on the current condition of your roof and the available documentation.

New roof decking is sometimes necessary to meet current building codes and ensure your shingles are installed correctly. Older homes were often built with gapped boards, which were acceptable at the time but no longer meet today’s standards. Modern roofing materials require a solid, continuous surface so the shingles can be properly nailed down. If shingles are installed over wide gaps, they may not hold securely, increasing the risk of blow‑offs during high winds or leaks over time.

In some cases, the wood beneath your shingles may also be weakened by dry rot or general deterioration. When this happens, re‑sheeting or overlaying the roof with new plywood provides a stable, safe surface that allows the new roofing system to perform as intended. During your project, we may find that only certain sections of decking are damaged. When that’s the case, we typically recommend replacing only the affected boards rather than the entire roof deck.

We can provide a time estimate for your project, and we are typically very accurate. However, several factors can affect the final completion time. Unpredictable weather, unexpected repairs discovered during the process, and occasional employee absences due to illness or injury can all extend the timeline beyond the original estimate.

Summer heat can also influence how long a project takes. Extremely hot days can soften asphalt shingles, making them more prone to damage or improper installation. On warm days, we often cool the shingles with water to prevent these issues, but during periods of extreme heat we may work shorter days or pause work entirely to protect both the materials and the safety of our crew. Heat exhaustion is a real concern, and we prioritize the well‑being of our employees.

Our goal is always to ensure that your roofing or exterior project is completed correctly, meets all local building codes, and provides the longest possible lifespan. If we uncover hidden issues that were not visible during the initial inspection, addressing those repairs may also add time to the project. When situations like this arise, we will clearly communicate why work has paused and what our experts recommend moving forward.

No. We generally cannot provide a ballpark price without visiting your home and inspecting every part of your project. Even if you know your measurements or someone has told you how much material you need, that information alone isn’t enough to give an accurate estimate. We take pride in asking detailed questions and thoroughly evaluating your home so we understand exactly what is required.

For example, if you believe you need a roof replacement, we still need to inspect your attic for issues like dry rot, gapped boards, or hidden leaks. Problems such as rotting wood, improper ventilation, or outdated decking can’t be identified without a full inspection, yet they directly affect the cost, longevity, and integrity of your installation. These are also items building inspectors look for when ensuring your project meets local building codes, and they can add expenses that wouldn’t be visible from the outside.

Providing an accurate price upfront helps prevent surprise charges later. A proper inspection allows us to identify potential issues immediately so you have a clear understanding of what your project will cost and what work is truly needed.

Yes. We take cleanup seriously and follow a thorough process to protect your property. Before work begins, we lay tarps around your home to catch nails and debris as the old roofing is removed. Throughout the project, we work to keep your lawn and landscaping presentable, and in areas where falling shingles could cause damage, we stand protective plywood to prevent dents or marks on siding, screens, doors, or windows.

Once the project is complete, we perform a detailed cleanup. We use professional‑grade magnets to collect nails from the ground and then do a careful, inch‑by‑inch walkthrough of your yard to remove any remaining debris. Our goal is to leave your property looking just as clean and well‑kept as it did before we arrived.

We are fully prepared for unexpected weather, and our crews have extensive experience handling sudden changes in Minnesota’s climate. We stay in close communication with our office staff throughout the day, which allows us to anticipate most incoming weather systems. However, storms can still form quickly and without warning. In either situation, we are ready.

If rain begins during your project, we immediately cover your roof with designated rain tarps to prevent leaks or water penetration. This method has been tested and proven to protect your home when the weather becomes uncooperative. We ask that you remain calm and allow our team to manage the situation. Staying clear of the work area helps keep everyone safe and allows us to secure your home as quickly as possible.

If a severe storm develops, our priority is the safety of our crew. We work quickly to get everyone off the roof and out of harm’s way. Once conditions are safe again, we return to ensure your home remains protected and continue the project as soon as possible.

You can, but it’s important to understand the risks involved. Roofing is a physically demanding and potentially dangerous job. It exposes you to hazards such as working at significant heights, extreme temperatures, sudden weather changes, and complex installation techniques that require experience to perform correctly.

Weather is one of the most commonly overlooked dangers. We’ve seen homeowners begin a DIY roof replacement with good intentions, only to be caught off guard by heavy rain that threatened the structure of their home. In several cases, we had to step in to cover the roof and finish the installation because the situation became overwhelming.

The physical demands are also greater than many people expect. Shingles typically come in bundles weighing more than 60 pounds each, and a standard roof may require 75–100 bundles—totaling 4,500 to 6,000 pounds or more. Carrying that weight up and down ladders and across a pitched roof all day can quickly become exhausting, even for those in excellent shape.

Hiring a professional contractor eliminates these risks and ensures your roof is installed safely, correctly, and in compliance with local building codes. It also protects the long‑term integrity of your home and helps prevent costly mistakes.

Yes. Clearing snow from your roof is one of the most effective ways to prevent ice dams and the leaks they can cause. The lower portion of your roof is typically unheated, so when snow accumulates, it can melt and refreeze as temperatures fluctuate. Warm air inside your attic can also heat the underside of the roof, causing snow to melt from below. When that melted snow reaches the colder, unheated edge of the roof, it refreezes and begins forming an ice dam.

Once an ice dam develops, any additional melted snow has nowhere to go. Instead of flowing off the roof, it backs up behind the dam and can work its way under the shingles, eventually leaking into your home. Even brand‑new roofs are vulnerable to this. We often receive winter calls from homeowners who believe their roof is leaking, only to find that the real issue is a severe ice dam caused by snow buildup.

Minnesota winters vary from year to year, and some seasons like 2010–11 create perfect conditions for ice dams due to heavy snowfall and frequent warm‑up periods. The best protection is to keep the bottom 4–6 feet of your roof clear of snow. Using a roof rake with an extension or hiring a professional roof‑snow‑removal service are the safest and most effective options.

We are not in the business of giving financial advice, but we are also not in the business of making people go broke or overextending budgets. We want to make sure that you have a cushion for other things in your life that are important and could come up. There are other tools at your disposal. Visit our financing page here to learn more.

Use your best judgment and take the time to make an informed decision. When a contractor shows up uninvited offering to “do your house for cheap,” “cover your deductible,” or arrives after a storm in a vehicle with out‑of‑state plates or temporary decals, they may be what the industry calls a storm chaser. These companies often move from one storm‑damaged area to the next, focusing on selling as many jobs as possible before leaving town.

We’ve heard from many homeowners who hired door‑to‑door contractors and later struggled to reach them, experienced poor workmanship, or even lost money when the contractor took a down payment and disappeared. That doesn’t mean every traveling contractor is dishonest, but it does mean you should proceed with caution.

The safest approach is to research the company, verify their licensing and insurance, check local reviews, and choose a contractor with a proven, long‑term presence in your community. Making an informed choice helps protect your home, your investment, and your peace of mind.

When choosing a new roofing material, it’s important to consider what matters most to you. There are many types of shingles available, ranging from budget‑friendly options to premium products. Different brands offer different looks, levels of durability, and even energy‑efficient features. No matter your priorities, there is always an option that fits your needs.

Some homeowners prefer to stick with the same style they already have, just in a new color. Others want something more distinctive or unique. If blending in with the neighborhood is important to you, choosing a product similar to your neighbors roofs may be the best choice. If you’d rather stand out, there are plenty of alternative styles and upgraded materials to consider.