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A roof's ability to handle snow depends on its strength and the snow's weight, as wet snow is much heavier than dry, fluffy snow. While designs in snowy regions often allow for 35 to 50 pounds per square foot, a general guideline is that a typical roof can withstand about four feet of fresh snow, two feet of packed snow, or just one inch of ice. Factors like the roof's age, slope, and support structure also affect its capacity; newer, sloped roofs generally hold more weight than older, flat ones. Ice and ice dams add significant, dangerous weight. Because capacity varies, it is best to contact a professional roofing contractor or the original builder to determine the maximum snow load for your specific home.

It’s possible for a roofing estimate to change after the initial assessment, but in most cases, it shouldn’t. There’s always the risk that something unexpected will happen that causes prices to go up, like discontinued materials or your roofer discovering previously hidden damage to your decking when ripping off the old roof. However, experienced roofers should account for these circumstances in their initial estimates. Roofing contracts are binding, so always check your contract for language about how and why your numbers could change.

Most roof leaks occur where shingles meet or where there are sealants or seams in the materials. This is common around skylights and at any point there is a break in the roof such as corners and edges. Roofing materials are incredibly strong and resistant when overlapping, but any change in that can cause gaps where water can enter.

You shouldn’t put a new roof underlayment over an old one for a few reasons. Old felt must be removed in order to assess the condition of your roof decking, such as rotting wood or other structural issues. Also, if your roofer doesn't install a fresh layer of felt as is required by shingle manufacturers, your warranty may be voided. Finally, old underlayment removal is often included in the cost of roof repair or replacement, so there's no real benefit to leaving it on before installing a new layer.