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Roofing estimates and inspections are not the same thing. Roofing inspections (whether done with a drone or by the traditional method) help you find any damage or defects on a roof. You will pay a set fee for a roofing inspection and use it to get certification or to determine whether repair or replacement is necessary. Beware of unsolicited contractors coming to your home and offering a so-called free roof inspection—these are often scams.

Roofing estimates, on the other hand, are typically free and offered by a roofing company hoping to earn your business. Some roofing estimates are performed with drones, while other companies will still opt to send people up onto the roof. Either way, the estimate is for roof repair or replacement costs the company wants you to hire them for.

The most common defect in a flat roof is leaking. Flat roofs have minimal slope, so water pools more readily on a flat roof than on a sloped roof, and the risk of the waterproof membrane failing increases with exposure. Tears and punctures from foot traffic and blown debris are other common problems, especially with single-ply roofing membranes like TPO and EPDM roofs.

Whether flashing goes over or under shingles depends on the type of flashing. For example, with step flashing, the shingles go on top, but they overlap one another. So technically, flashing goes both over and under shingles. But generally speaking, flashing goes under shingles and beneath the house siding. And in most cases, you can't see the flashing from the ground.

This will depend on your existing roof to some degree, but it’s common to raise a roof 4 to 8 feet. The exact amount you can raise is subject to the existing structure. For most homes with average roof slopes—20 to 45 degrees—you can raise the roof around 5 feet.