Our Roofing Process | What to Expect

Step 1: Free Roof Inspection

Everything starts with a phone call. Contact us at (843) 696-9307 or submit a request online, and we will schedule a free, no-obligation roof inspection at a time that works for you.

What Happens During the Inspection

A Right Hand Roofing inspector arrives at your home and conducts a thorough evaluation of your entire roofing system. This is not a quick glance from the driveway. Our inspection covers 21 specific checkpoints across every component of your roof.

• Shingle condition: We check for curling, cracking, blistering, missing shingles, and granule loss. We document the shingle type, approximate age, and remaining useful life.
• Flashing and penetrations: Every pipe boot, chimney, skylight, and wall flashing is inspected for cracks, rust, separation, and failed sealant.
• Ridge, hip, and valley condition: These high-stress areas are where leaks most commonly develop. We inspect ridge caps, hip shingles, and valley underlayment.
• Drip edge and gutter line: We check the drip edge for proper installation and the gutter attachment points for signs of water damage or fascia rot.
• Ventilation: We evaluate ridge vents, soffit vents, box vents, and overall attic airflow. Inadequate ventilation shortens roof life and can void manufacturer warranties.
• Decking and structural indicators: From the exterior, we look for sagging areas, soft spots, and signs of water damage to the roof deck beneath the shingles.
• Attic inspection (when accessible): We check for daylight through the deck, water stains, mold, and insulation condition.

Photos and Documentation

We photograph every area of concern during the inspection. These photos are included in your inspection report and are available for your insurance company if the damage is storm-related. You will not have to take our word for anything — you will see exactly what we see.

Timeline

The inspection itself takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour depending on the size and complexity of your roof. We typically schedule inspections within two to five business days of your initial contact.

Step 2: Detailed Written Estimate

After the inspection, we prepare a detailed, line-itemized written estimate for your roofing project. This is not a ballpark number on the back of a business card.

What the Estimate Includes

• Line-itemized material costs: Every product is listed individually: shingles (brand, line, and color), underlayment, ice and water shield, starter strip, hip and ridge cap, drip edge, flashing, pipe boots, ridge vent, and any other components.
• Labor costs: Clearly stated, not buried in inflated material prices.
• Tear-off and disposal: The cost to remove existing roofing materials and haul debris away in a dumpster.
• Structural repairs (if identified): If the inspection revealed potential decking damage, we include an estimated allowance for repairs with a per-sheet price so you know exactly what it will cost if additional decking replacement is needed during tear-off.
• Permit fees: Included in the estimate so there are no add-on charges later.
• Material options: When applicable, we provide pricing for multiple material tiers (for example, architectural shingles versus designer shingles) so you can compare and choose.
• Warranty tier: The estimate specifies which Owens Corning warranty tier your selected materials qualify for, so you understand your coverage before you commit.

How the Estimate Is Presented

We present the estimate in person at your home, not just emailed as a PDF. Sitting down together allows us to walk through every line item, answer your questions, explain the differences between material options, and make sure you fully understand what you are paying for. If you prefer a virtual meeting or email delivery, we accommodate that as well, but we find that an in-person review leads to fewer questions and greater confidence in the decision.

No Pressure

Our estimates are valid for 30 days. We do not use high-pressure sales tactics, “sign today” discounts, or artificial urgency. Take the estimate home, compare it with other quotes, ask follow-up questions, and decide on your timeline. We are here when you are ready.

Step 3: Material and Color Selection

Choosing roofing materials from a small sample chip or a website photo is difficult. Colors look different on a screen than they do in natural light, and a two-inch sample does not show how a shingle will look across 2,000 square feet of roof.

We Bring Samples to Your Home

Right Hand Roofing brings full-size shingle samples directly to your home so you can see how each option looks against your actual siding, trim, and brick. We hold samples up to the house in natural daylight, not under fluorescent lights in a showroom. This is especially important for homeowners who want to coordinate their new roof with an existing exterior color scheme.

What We Help You Choose

• Shingle line: Three-tab, architectural (dimensional), or designer/premium shingles — with an honest explanation of the performance differences and cost implications of each.
• Shingle color: Owens Corning offers a wide palette of colors within each shingle line. We help you narrow the options based on your home’s style and your personal preferences.
• Accessory products: Starter strip, hip and ridge cap, and underlayment colors and types are selected to complement the primary shingle choice and qualify for the best available warranty tier.
• Ventilation components: If your attic ventilation needs improvement (which affects both roof longevity and warranty eligibility), we discuss the options and select the right products.

For Homeowners Who Have Already Decided

If you have already researched materials extensively and know exactly what you want, we respect that. We will confirm that your selections are compatible with the warranty tier you are targeting and move straight to scheduling. Not every homeowner needs or wants the full color consultation, and that is perfectly fine.

Step 4: Permits and Scheduling

Once you approve the estimate and select your materials, we handle the administrative work so you do not have to.

Permits

Roof replacements in Dorchester County and the Town of Summerville require a building permit. Right Hand Roofing pulls all necessary permits on your behalf. The permit fee is included in your estimate — it is never an add-on surprise. We ensure that the project is filed correctly with the local building department and that the final inspection is scheduled upon completion.

Material Ordering

We order your specific shingle color and all accessory materials from our Owens Corning supplier. Material availability varies by product line and season, but in most cases, materials arrive within one to two weeks of ordering.

Scheduling Your Installation

We work with you to select an installation date that fits your schedule. Typical lead time from signed contract to installation is two to four weeks, depending on the time of year and material availability. During peak storm season (late summer and fall), lead times may extend slightly due to higher demand.

You will receive a confirmation of your installation date along with a checklist of simple preparations we ask homeowners to complete before the crew arrives (such as moving vehicles out of the driveway and securing pets).

Step 5: Installation Day

This is the day your new roof goes on. Here is exactly what to expect.

Crew Arrival

Our crew arrives between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM. The crew lead introduces themselves, confirms the scope of work, and answers any last-minute questions. A dumpster for debris removal is delivered to your driveway either the day before or the morning of installation.

Property Protection

Before any shingles come off, the crew protects your property:

• Landscaping: Tarps are placed over flower beds, shrubs, and plants along the foundation to catch falling debris.
• Siding and windows: Plywood or protective boards are placed against siding and windows in high-debris zones.
• Driveway and walkways: Tarps are laid down to protect surfaces and simplify cleanup.
• HVAC units and outdoor furniture: Covered or repositioned as needed.

Tear-Off

The existing shingles, underlayment, and any deteriorated flashing are removed down to the roof deck. As the deck is exposed, the crew inspects every section for rot, water damage, or soft spots. If decking replacement is needed, we address it immediately using the pricing already outlined in your estimate.

Installation Sequence

The new roof is installed in a specific order designed for maximum weather protection:

1. Decking repairs (if needed)
2. Ice and water shield at valleys, eaves, and penetrations
3. Synthetic underlayment across the entire deck
4. Drip edge along eaves and rakes
5. Starter strip shingles along the eave line
6. Field shingles installed from eave to ridge
7. Flashing at all penetrations, walls, and transitions
8. Hip and ridge cap shingles
9. Ridge vent or other ventilation components

Timeline

Most standard residential roofs in Summerville (1,500 to 2,500 square feet of roof area) are completed in one to three days. A straightforward single-story ranch may be done in one day. Larger homes, steep-pitch roofs, or homes with complex roof lines (multiple dormers, valleys, and penetrations) may require two to three days. If weather interrupts installation, we tarp the exposed areas to keep your home dry and return the next available day to complete the work.

Step 6: Final Walkthrough and Cleanup

The job is not done when the last shingle is nailed. Cleanup and inspection are built into every project as a required step, not an afterthought.

Cleanup Protocol

• Roof and gutter cleaning: All debris is cleared from the roof surface and gutters. Gutters are flushed to ensure they drain freely after the new drip edge installation.
• Magnetic nail sweep: The crew runs a rolling magnetic sweeper across your entire yard, driveway, walkways, and flower beds — multiple passes — to pick up every stray nail. Nails in tires are one of the most common complaints after a roofing project. We take this step seriously.
• Ground cleanup: Tarps are collected. Any remaining debris is raked and removed. The dumpster is loaded and scheduled for pickup.
• Property inspection: The crew lead walks the perimeter of the home to check for any siding damage, displaced landscaping, or debris that was missed.

Homeowner Walkthrough

Once cleanup is complete, the crew lead walks around the home with you and inspects the finished roof from the ground. We point out the key elements of the installation: the ridge line, the flashing at penetrations, the drip edge, and the overall appearance. If you have any concerns about anything you see, we address them on the spot before the crew leaves.

This is your opportunity to ask questions, confirm that the color and materials match what you selected, and verify that your property has been left clean. We do not consider the installation complete until you are satisfied with what you see.

Step 7: Warranty Documentation

The final step in our process protects your investment for decades to come.

What You Receive

• Owens Corning warranty registration: We register your roof with Owens Corning within 30 days of installation completion, as required by the manufacturer. Registration activates your warranty tier (Preferred Protection, Platinum Protection, or System Protection) and is mandatory for coverage to take effect.
• Owens Corning warranty certificate: Once registration is processed, you receive a warranty certificate from Owens Corning specifying your coverage tier, the products covered, the duration of coverage, and the terms and conditions.
• Right Hand Roofing workmanship warranty: We provide our own written workmanship warranty document detailing the coverage duration, what is covered, what is excluded, and how to file a claim.
• Final invoice and installation documentation: A complete record of everything installed, including product names, quantities, and lot numbers.
• Digital copies emailed to you: Every document listed above is emailed to you as a PDF so you have a digital backup. We also retain copies in our project files for reference.

Why This Step Matters

Many roofing companies finish the physical work and move on. They leave it to the homeowner to figure out warranty registration, or they never register at all. An unregistered Owens Corning warranty provides only the base-level coverage, not the enhanced Preferred or Platinum tier you paid for. Right Hand Roofing handles registration as a non-negotiable part of every project because the warranty only has value if it is properly activated.

If you ever sell your home, this documentation package is exactly what the buyer or their inspector will want to see. Having it organized and accessible adds credibility and value to the transaction. See our Warranty page for complete details on coverage tiers and transferability.