Our 12-Step Process

Your roof replacement,
managed start to finish.

Most homeowners say the worst part of a roof replacement is not knowing what comes next. We built our process around the opposite: clear communication, no surprises, and a completed job you can see and feel confident in.

Phase 1

Before your project starts

Steps 01 – 04 — from your first call through choosing materials and setting a date.

Request your estimate

Call us directly or fill out the estimate form. We schedule a time that works for you, typically within 48 hours. You’ll talk to a real person, not a call center, and we’ll ask you questions that help us determine what might be the best fit for your home.

  • No commitment required to get a free estimate
  • We cover most of central and coastal North Carolina
  • Same-day appointments often available

Free roof inspection

We come out, get on the roof, and inspect every slope, valley, flashing, and penetration. You get a plain-language explanation of what we found, with photos. No pressure, no scare tactics, just an honest assessment.

  • We inspect every slope and valley, not just what’s visible from the ground
  • We check the attic side too, if accessible
  • You’ll know whether repair or replacement is the right call

Your written estimate

After the inspection, you receive a full written proposal before anyone asks you to sign anything. Every product that will go on your roof is listed, not just the shingles. Underlayment, drip edge, pipe boots, ridge vent, flashing. If we find anything that needs to be addressed before the job, it’s on the paper, not a surprise during the installation.

  • Full line-item estimate in plain language
  • No hidden fees, no upsells at the door
  • Typically delivered within 24 hours of the inspection

Choose your shingles. Set your date.

You pick your shingles from a physical sample board. We walk through the options, what each one looks like on a roof like yours, and what each costs. Once you decide, you sign the contract and choose an install date that fits your schedule.

  • We carry GAF and CertainTeed shingles for more selection
  • Sample boards shown in person so you can see the actual color and texture
  • We’ll help you select the right product if you’re unfamiliar with different shingle options
Phase 2

Your project day

Steps 05 – 12 — everything that happens on the day your crew arrives through warranty registration.

We protect your property before we start.

Before the first shingle comes off, the crew lays tarps across your landscaping, walkways, and the areas below every slope. Your plants, siding, and gutters are covered. We also set up a dumpster and protect your driveway.

  • Tarps protect landscaping, shrubs, and ground-level surfaces
  • Gutters protected from falling debris during tear-off
  • Staging area planned to minimize impact on your driveway and yard
Jobsite protection setup during a roof replacement in Holly Springs

Full tear-off. No layovers.

Every old shingle and all underlying materials are removed and go into the dumpster. We do not install over existing shingles. Layovers trap moisture, void manufacturer warranties, and hide problems that get worse. The deck gets fully cleared before anything new goes on.

  • All old material removed to the bare deck, no double-layers, ever
  • We always clean up thoroughly before the day is over. The dumpster is usually removed the next day.
  • Bare deck inspected before the next phase begins
Crew actively tearing off old shingles on a Chapel Hill roof, exposing the wood decking

Deck inspection. Damaged boards replaced.

Once the old roof is off, every section of decking gets walked and inspected. Soft, rotted, or delaminating roof decking is cut out and replaced with new material before we move forward. You get photos of anything we find, and any repairs are documented and covered under our warranty.

  • Soft spots, rot, and delamination identified and replaced
  • All deck repairs documented with photos
  • Repairs covered under the workmanship warranty
Exposed wood decking after full tear-off on a Cary roof replacement — decking inspected before new installation

Underlayment and extra protection.

Underlayment provides the extra waterproofing layer under your shingles. We install new drip edge around the entire roof perimeter. Synthetic underlayment covers the full deck, and ice and water shield goes in the valleys and around penetrations where leaks are most likely to start.

  • We install new drip edge, not just where there are problem areas
  • Ice and water shield at valleys, skylights, and pipe boots
  • We always install synthetic underlayment, not organic felt paper
Underlayment installation during a roof replacement in Fuquay-Varina

New shingle installation.

Your chosen shingles installed to manufacturer spec so the warranty is valid from day one. New pipe boots, roof vents, and other accessories at every penetration. Hip and ridge finished with a matching cap shingle. All step flashing replaced, not patched over.

  • Shingles installed per the manufacturer’s specifications
  • New pipe boots at every plumbing penetration
  • Matching ridge cap for a clean finished roofline
  • All step and chimney flashings replaced
New shingle installation on a Garner roof replacement

We leave it cleaner than we found it.

When the install is done, the crew does a full cleanup. The yard and driveway get a magnetic nail sweep. Debris goes in the dumpster. Tarps come down. Then we do a final walkthrough with you before the crew leaves so you can see the work and ask any questions.

  • Magnetic nail sweep of the yard, driveway, and walkways
  • All debris removed from the property
  • Final walkthrough with a crew member before we leave
Dumpster loaded with old shingles and roofing debris during cleanup on a Cary roof replacement

Final inspection and documentation.

After the crew finishes, we go through the entire roof and thoroughly document what was done. We take after photos of every slope, valley, and detail so you have a complete record of the finished work.

  • Every section of the roof inspected after installation
  • After photos taken and provided to you
  • Any punch-list items addressed before we close out the job
Overhead view of a completed roof replacement

Your warranties, registered and delivered.

Every On Tops replacement comes with two warranties: the manufacturer warranty on materials, and the On Tops workmanship warranty on labor. We register both in your name and deliver the documentation before we close out the job. You shouldn’t have to chase a contractor to get your warranty paperwork.

  • Manufacturer warranty registered in your name
  • On Tops workmanship warranty delivered in writing at job close
  • If you choose to get a manufacturer’s extended warranty, we’ll register and pay for it and send you a copy
  • Warranty documentation kept on file and available on request

Ready to get started?

Request a free estimate and we’ll schedule your inspection within 48 hours. No pressure, no commitment required.