Frequently Asked Questions

We operate from two offices: our main Triangle headquarters in Fuquay-Varina, NC, and our coastal office in New Bern, NC. Our mailing address is PO Box 13908, New Bern, NC 28560.

Triangle: Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Willow Spring, Angier, Benson, Clayton, Garner, Rocky Mount, and surrounding communities. Coastal: New Bern, Havelock, Morehead City, Beaufort, Jacksonville, and surrounding Craven, Carteret, Pamlico, and Onslow county areas. See our Service Area page for the full coverage map.

Yes. We are licensed in the State of North Carolina and carry full general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Certificate of insurance available on request — just ask.

Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and CertainTeed Shingle Master. Both certifications allow us to offer extended system warranties — up to 50 years non-prorated on eligible products — that uncertified contractors simply cannot offer. These are earned certifications that require ongoing performance reviews and training, not pay-to-play badges.

Yes. AARC is co-owned and operated by TJ Wilson and Kaitlyn Kelsey, with a tight team including a Navy veteran coastal specialist, a project manager with slate roofing expertise, and an exterior project specialist. See our About & Team page.

Residential and commercial roofing (asphalt, metal, TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen); roof repairs and full replacements; siding (vinyl, LP SmartSide, James Hardie); seamless gutters and gutter guards; replacement windows and doors; decks and screened porches; and insurance claim assistance. See our Services Overview for the complete list.

Yes, 24/7. Triangle emergency line: (984) 322-7663. Coastal emergency line: (919) 249-8493. Typical response is 24–72 hours depending on severity and weather conditions.

Yes. Commercial roofing, HOAs, retail centers, churches, offices, schools, and multi-family. We operate a dedicated commercial division with membrane-trained crews. See our Commercial Roofing page.

Yes. We have experience with Triangle and coastal historic districts, including matching period aesthetics (authentic slate, historically-correct metal, premium architectural shingles) and coordinating with preservation commission guidelines.

Yes. We work with landlords, property management companies, and real estate investors routinely. Portfolio pricing and scheduling is available for multi-property owners — call either office to discuss your portfolio.

For an average Triangle single-family home (roughly 25 roof-squares of asphalt shingle), most full replacements fall in the $9,000–$22,000 range. Smaller or simpler roofs run lower; larger, steeper, or premium-material roofs run higher. Metal and tile projects are 2–4x baseline asphalt. We provide free written line-item estimates on every project — no vague “roof replacement — $X” bids.

Most single-family asphalt shingle replacements take one day on-site. Larger or more complex roofs may take 2–3 days. Metal roofing typically takes 3–5 days. From contract signing to completion, the typical total timeline is 2–4 weeks including material lead time and scheduling.

Yes. Financing providers offering 0% introductory rates and longer-term loan options are available. Ask about financing during your free consultation and we will walk through the current options.

Yes. Standing military/veteran discounts and senior discounts apply to every AARC project. Mention your service or status when you call and we will apply the discount to your estimate.

Yes — completely free, no obligation. Every inspection is free, every written condition report is free, and there is no obligation to hire us for any follow-up work. We provide inspections because we would rather have an informed homeowner than a pressured one. See our Roof Inspections page.

Primarily Owens Corning and CertainTeed, through our Preferred Contractor and Shingle Master certifications. These certifications unlock extended system warranties that other brands do not offer through AARC. We also install GAF, Atlas, and other manufacturers by request.

For most Triangle homes, architectural asphalt shingles in the 30-year-or-better class — Owens Corning Duration or CertainTeed Landmark — offer the best price-performance balance. Premium products (Duration Flex, Presidential Shake) deliver upgraded aesthetics and warranty coverage. For coastal homes, impact-resistant and FORTIFIED-upgraded shingles often justify the premium through insurance savings.

For long-term homeowners (15+ years of planned tenure), typically yes. Metal roofing pays back through its longer service life (40–50+ years vs. 25–30 for asphalt), lower maintenance, and often lower insurance premiums. For short-term homeowners, asphalt is usually more cost-effective. See our Standing Seam Metal Roofing page for a full comparison.

FORTIFIED is a voluntary hurricane-resistance construction standard developed by IBHS. It involves enhanced deck attachment, a sealed roof deck, and stronger flashing details. For coastal homes, it typically pays back in insurance premium discounts within 3–5 years and provides meaningful hurricane protection. Our Navy veteran-led coastal team has hands-on FORTIFIED installation experience — we recommend it for most coastal projects.

Yes, within the manufacturer’s product line. Shingle colors are factory-produced in specific colorways; we bring physical sample boards to every consultation so you can see options in natural light against your existing siding and trim. Custom colors beyond the manufacturer’s stock are generally not available.

Two warranties apply to every AARC installation: (1) the manufacturer warranty on the product — typically 30 years to lifetime on asphalt shingles, 40+ years on standing seam metal, 20–30 years on flat membrane systems; and (2) our AARC workmanship warranty covering installation defects. For Owens Corning and CertainTeed installations under our certifications, extended system warranties up to 50 years non-prorated are available on eligible products.

Non-prorated means the warranty pays full replacement value throughout the warranty term — with no reduction as the roof ages. Standard prorated warranties typically pay only a percentage of replacement value as the roof ages (e.g., year 20 of a 30-year prorated warranty might pay only 33% of costs). Non-prorated coverage is dramatically more valuable and is one of the key advantages of manufacturer-certified installation through AARC.

Most manufacturer warranties are transferable once to a single subsequent owner, typically with a small transfer fee. This is a meaningful resale asset — a transferable 50-year warranty is a compelling selling point. Our AARC workmanship warranty is similarly transferable. Transfer documentation is included in your project closeout package.

The most common warranty voiders are: improper installation by an uncertified contractor; inadequate attic ventilation (manufacturers require minimum ventilation standards); overlaying new shingles on existing shingles (layovers are generally not warranted); improper or repeated foot traffic damaging shingles; and modification or repair by unauthorized contractors. We install to full warranty specification on every project — this is why our certifications matter directly to you.

Yes — extensively. We meet adjusters on-site, document damage in Xactimate (the industry-standard estimating software), file supplements to ensure full approved scope, and handle final documentation for depreciation release. All claim coordination is included in our project pricing — no separate fees. See our Insurance Claims page for the complete process.

Usually no. Storm damage is treated as an “act of God” event in North Carolina and typically does not trigger individual premium increases. Widespread storm activity may produce market-wide rate adjustments regardless of individual filing — meaning you may see a rate increase whether or not you file. Confirm with your agent directly for your specific policy.

Call AARC first. We will inspect and confirm damage before you file, which avoids the risk of submitting a claim that gets denied or withdrawn — a denied or withdrawn claim can stay on your insurance history and affect future coverage. Get the professional inspection, confirm the damage exists, then file with documentation in hand.

Call us for a free inspection. Hail damage in particular is frequently invisible from ground level — soft spots in the shingle mat are only identifiable by a trained inspector walking the roof. Wind damage can be more visible but is also commonly missed. If a significant storm has recently moved through your area, a free inspection is almost always worth your time — timing matters for insurance documentation.

We recommend a professional inspection every 3–5 years throughout the service life of the roof, plus an inspection after any significant storm event. Proactive inspection is dramatically cheaper than emergency repair — most inspection-caught issues run $150–$800 to fix; the same issue caught after it has caused interior damage can cost $5,000+.

We generally recommend against it. Asphalt shingles can be damaged by foot traffic in hot weather; the personal injury risk is meaningful on steep roofs; and most homeowners lack the safety equipment and technique to do it safely. Let us walk the roof for you during free inspections — that is exactly what the service is for.

No. Pressure washing removes shingle granules, voids manufacturer warranties, and accelerates shingle failure. For algae or moss growth, professional soft-washing with appropriate chemicals is the correct approach. We can coordinate this service or recommend a qualified specialist in our service area.

Dark streaks are typically caused by Gloeocapsa magma algae — very common in NC’s humid climate. Zinc or copper strips installed near the roof ridge gradually release ions that suppress future algae growth. For existing stains, professional soft-washing can clean without damaging shingles. Algae-resistant shingle formulations (available in both Owens Corning and CertainTeed lines) can also reduce future growth.

For homes with accessible gutters and comfortable ladder access, semi-annual cleaning (spring and fall) is the baseline. Homes with significant tree coverage may need quarterly cleaning. Our gutter cleaning service is available as a stand-alone service — call either office. Gutter guards can reduce cleaning frequency dramatically. See our Gutters & Guards page.

Yes — routinely. Most Triangle and coastal subdivisions have active HOAs with specific roof material and color requirements. We submit samples for architectural review, attend board meetings where needed, and coordinate installation with any community-specific requirements. This is included in our standard project process.

Yes. Permit pulling and inspection coordination is included in every project that requires a permit — at no additional charge. You do not need to interact with the municipality directly. We handle the application, track the permit, coordinate all required inspections, and deliver the final sign-off documentation as part of your project closeout package.

Targeted repairs typically do not require a permit. Full replacements involving tear-off typically do. Requirements vary by municipality — we know the permit requirements for every jurisdiction in our service area and will tell you upfront which category your project falls into.

Non-emergency inspections: typically 3–7 business days depending on location and current scheduling. Storm and emergency response: 24–72 hours. For active emergencies — water entering the home — call our emergency lines directly: Triangle (984) 322-7663, Coastal (919) 249-8493.

For exterior-only projects — roofing, siding, gutters — typically no. We can work with you remotely, handle access questions by phone, and complete the project without you needing to be present. For projects requiring interior access (attic inspection, interior finish work), yes. We coordinate with your schedule.

We protect landscaping with tarps and coverings, recommend keeping pets indoors during active work, and strongly recommend moving vehicles from the driveway during tear-off and shingle installation (dropped nails are a real hazard). We do full cleanup including multiple magnetic nail sweeps at project completion.

We monitor weather carefully and will not start a tear-off if significant rain is forecast during the installation window. If weather changes unexpectedly mid-project, your exposed deck is immediately tarped and secured before crews leave — partial tear-off is never left uncovered overnight. We reschedule as soon as conditions allow and contact you at every stage.

You receive personal responses to every contact within one business day — usually faster. During active projects, your project manager maintains direct communication on scheduling, material delivery, and any field findings. Final walk-through is completed with you before we consider the project closed. Warranty documentation, photos, and all paperwork delivered by email at closeout.