Repair it if the problem is in one spot and the rest of the roof is in good shape.
Replace it if the roof is near the end of its life, leaks keep showing up in different spots, or the wood underneath is soft.
Repair
One spot
A cracked pipe boot, loose flashing or a few missing shingles, on a roof that still has years left.
Replace one section
One side
Damage on one side of the roof, while the other sides are still in good shape.
Replace the roof
Whole roof
The roof is near the end of its life, keeps leaking in new places, or the plywood is soft or sagging.
A simple rule of thumb
If a repair costs about a third of what a new roof costs, replacing usually makes more sense. It's a guideline, not a rule.
What waiting can cost
Fix it now
A pipe boot repair runs about $250 to $550. A flashing repair runs about $400 to $950.
Wait a year
The same leak can soak the plywood, insulation and ceiling, and turn into a $1,500+ repair or an early replacement.
Not sure which one you need? We'll show you the repair price and the replacement price side by side.