Q. I can't afford much more than a house that needs work. Not afraid of that at all, except windows and roof. What kind of prices should I expect if I want replacement windows or roof repairs. I don't want a get down estimate, I don't own a house yet. Just want an idea what other peeps have paid so I know if I'm making a bad decision or not. Thanks!

A. This is an almost impossible question to answer because there are too many variables, such as labor rate where you live, types of materials you would need (tin roof, shingle, slate, tile? Flat roof, shed roof, gable roof, mansard?) You would do well to go to a local home improvement center and ask material prices and they may be able to give you ballpark labor costs too.

Q. There was a small storm and most everyone in the town got a new roof. The neighbor just died and the estate put in a claim with the insurance company for the roof, but they did not get the roof replaced. Instead, they say they "put the money back into the estate". What????? Don't they have to get the roof fixed?

A. No it isn't insurance fraud. The money was to compensate the insured for a roof that was damaged. If they only had actual cash value, (value of roof minus depreciation)they might not have got enough money to fix the roof. If they have replacement cost they would have got the full amount to replace roof, but they are under no obligation to fix it. but if another storm happens and the roof blows off they will not be covered.

Q. I have a 1970 double wide mobile home with an original old aluminum roof. Im lookinmg to replace it with a new roof and i know there alot of different types of foam roofs and such but was wondering if anyone knew which new roof is the best that i should put on here. which product/like should i look at.... Thank You alot.

A. Idk

A. Go to Home Depot and apply for a card, but first let them know you need a new roof, because this will let them know how much credit you need. Home Depot installs roofing that includes everything for one price.

Q. I have a friend that her house caught fire . it burnt a hole in her roof in the kitchen and the fire spread to the living room and utility room and done a lot of damage. the rest of the house has bad smoke damage. how will the insurance pay her. full cost to replace the whole house or just what it would cost to replace what was burnt and clean the smoke damage up? i heard if a hole is burnt through the roof they say it is a complete loss, is this true. it is an older house, they said it was the wiring.it got hot .they was not at home at the time

A. It depends on what kind of policy she bought! On a standard HO3 with replacement cost, ASSUMING she's not underinsured (big assumption), She'd be paid replacement cost to replace everything and clean up, with debris removal, minus her deductible, IF she chooses to replace. The wiring itself, is not covered. But many, many insurance companies won't write an HO3 with replacement cost on a house with out of date wiring. So odds are, she doesn't have replacement cost coverage. It's not true, though, that the house is a "complete loss" if a hole is burnt through the roof. Bottom line - unless you know exactly what kind of policy she has, you have no way of knowing how it's going to be paid out.

Q. My roof is 17 years old. There are 4 slopes on my roof. 2 slopes are in bad shape. (shingles curling) The other 2 aren't too bad. My insurance company said they won't pay anything toward the new roof. Is there a suggestion I can mention to insurance company to have them consider helping me out?

A. I am afraid they are all right. To save some money ask some friends to help in ground clean up and then work a deal with roofing company to reduce price for clean-up help. most hate to do the search and bend routine and may welcome the help with a slight discount.

Q. Some say get estimates and let your insurance handle it and some say find a contractor and let them negotiate with the insurance but what is the best way?

A. Insurance companies rarely "replace" a roof. Let them decide. File a claim and let them tell you what to do next.

Q. How are the panels attached? And what kind of roof is it easier to attach them to? If you have an asphalt roof, do they just drive the fastener into the roof? If you have a metal roof, are there clips that can attach the panels so that no hole has to be made?

A. ..............pull old shingles where the mounting brackets would go counter flash it ,re-shingle it .and seal it. its always done this way for anything installed on the roof ...unless its tile or something.