From Inspection to Installation: What to Expect with Montgomery Roofing - Lorena Roofers

Roofs fail in two ways: suddenly and slowly. A hailstorm can bruise shingles in minutes and reveal leaks at the next hard rain. More often, heat, UV, and wind erode a roof one season at a time until a small stain on the ceiling hints at a bigger problem. In Central Texas, I’ve seen both scenarios from the ground and the ladder. The difference between a smooth project and a stressful one usually comes down to clarity at every stage. Homeowners want to know what happens first, what it will cost, how long it takes, and who stands behind the work after the truck pulls away.

Montgomery Roofing - Lorena Roofers has built a local reputation on that kind of clarity. They are a local contractor, not a fly-in storm crew, and they take a measured approach that respects budgets, schedules, and homes. If you live in or around Lorena, here is what it really looks like from the first call to the final inspection, plus the details that tend to surprise people who haven’t been through a roofing project before.

What the first contact sets in motion

Most calls start with a leak, a recent storm, or shingle granules piling at the bottom of downspouts. The coordinator you speak with will ask a few practical questions: roof age, type of material, any known issues with ventilation or previous repairs, and your timeline. Expect a direct conversation about whether you are seeing emergency symptoms, such as active dripping or ceiling sagging, which might bump you up in scheduling.

In Texas, spring and early summer fill calendars quickly, especially after hail. A reliable contractor will tell you if they are booking a week or four weeks out and offer a temporary patch if water intrusion is active. If a company can “start tomorrow” while every other roofer is buried after a storm, slow down and verify. Good crews do get cancellations, but unseasonably open calendars can be a red flag.

The on-roof inspection, not just a glance from the curb

A thorough inspection is not a clipboard at the driveway. The team will climb the roof with fall protection and photograph surfaces, ridges, penetrations, and flashings. They will check:

Shingle condition and hail or wind damage patterns, including loss of granules, fractures, and lifted tabs.

Inside the attic, they will look for darkened decking, nail pops, inadequate or blocked ventilation, and signs of past leaks. I’ve seen attics tell the truth when the roof surface looked fine, especially around bath fan vents that terminate poorly.

Time on site depends on roof complexity. A simple 1,800 square foot ranch can take 30 to 60 minutes, while a multi-slope roof with valleys and dormers takes longer. Be ready to share any known quirks, like an area that always shows frost in winter or a chimney that smoked during heavy winds. These anecdotes help steer the inspection so the crew can trace root causes.

The scope and estimate that you can actually understand

After the inspection, Montgomery Roofing - Lorena Roofers will assemble a scope with photos, material options, and a price. This is where homeowners often feel overwhelmed by jargon. A good estimate should translate to plain language. Look for line items that cover:

Tear-off, disposal, and replacement of underlayment and flashings, not just shingle overlay.

Underlayment type matters. Felt has been around forever, but synthetic underlayment gives better tear resistance and lays flatter, especially important in Central Texas winds. Ice and water shield is used selectively here, typically in valleys, around skylights, and along low-slope transitions. You might not need a full northern ice barrier, but strategic placement prevents headaches.

Ventilation is non-negotiable. If ridge vents or box vents are undersized for the attic volume, shingles bake from below and warranties get complicated. A proper calculation uses attic square footage and roof design, not a guess. I have seen temperature drops of 10 to 15 degrees in attics after correcting intake and exhaust balance, which extends shingle life and stabilizes indoor comfort.

Expect a range of pricing based on shingle grade and accessories. Architectural shingles remain a strong midrange choice, with impact-rated options that can help with insurance premiums depending on your carrier. Metal panels cost more upfront but can pencil out over 30 to 50 years if you plan to stay put, and they shed hail differently. Montgomery’s read more team will explain the trade-offs without pushing you to a choice that doesn’t fit your home or timeframe.

Insurance coordination without the runaround

Storm claims add a layer of paperwork and policy language. The contractor’s role should be to document damage clearly, meet with the adjuster if needed, and align scope with what your policy covers. A trustworthy roofer will never ask you to inflate a claim or pocket the deductible. Texas regulations require you to pay the deductible, and insurers often check.

The adjuster’s estimate sets a baseline. If it misses essential items like drip edge or chimney flashing, your contractor can submit a supplement with photos and local code references. I’ve seen supplements approved quickly when the documentation is tight. On the other hand, vague claims that “more felt is needed” without photos stall for weeks. The difference is thorough field notes and a team that knows how to speak the carrier’s language.

Scheduling and prep, the calm before the crew arrives

Once you sign, materials are ordered. Supply chains are smoother than they were in 2021 and 2022, but special-order colors or certain metal profiles can still add a few days. The scheduler will give you a tentative date and keep you updated. If rain moves in, they will shift rather than gamble with your house. A solid crew never opens more of the roof than they can dry-in that day.

Before installation day, move cars out of the driveway and clear patio furniture. Crews need staging space for shingles and a trailer. If you have delicate garden beds, Montgomery Roofing - Lorena Roofers ask for plywood walkways at the ground level. Montgomery Roofing - Lorena Roofers typically sets tarps for landscaping protection and magnetic sweeps for nails, but a conversation ahead of time about your top priorities helps them plan.

Inside, take pictures down from walls if vibration worries you. Roof tear-off is surprisingly energetic. In most houses, it’s fine, but loosely hung artwork or shelves can shift. Cover items in the attic if you store belongings there, as debris can sift through gaps during tear-off.

What installation day really feels like

Expect an early arrival. Crews want to beat afternoon heat and wind. A typical 2,000 to 2,500 square foot home with a simple layout can be completed in one to two days, including tear-off, underlayment, flashing, shingles, ventilation, and cleanup. Complex roofs or extra carpentry, such as replacing rotten decking or rebuilding a cricket behind a chimney, add time.

Tear-off comes first. Old shingles and underlayment are removed down to the deck. This is when hidden issues show up. In Central Texas, I often see decking softened by slow leaks at plumbing boots or leaky skylights. Replacing bad decking is a necessary change order, not a surprise upcharge. Montgomery’s crews document each area in photos and talk through the cost before proceeding.

Underlayment and flashing go in next. Crews will set drip edge along eaves and rakes, install valley protection, re-flash penetrations, and place ice and water shield where it makes sense for the roof design. Then shingles or panels get installed following manufacturer patterns and nail placement. A shingle nailed high can void a warranty. Good foremen check rows, nail depth, and spacing repeatedly throughout the day.

Ventilation upgrades often happen in parallel. If ridge vents are added, crews cut a slot at the peak and install vent material under the ridge cap. Combined with balanced soffit intake, this prevents heat buildup and moisture problems. It also reduces the risk of winter condensation that drips onto insulation and mimics a roof leak.

Cleanup is continuous, not just at the end. Debris goes directly into a trailer, and tarps catch most of the small scraps. Once the roof is sealed up, crews run magnetic rollers around the perimeter and driveway. Nails are sneaky. Two or three can hide in grass along a foundation line even after a good sweep, which is why foremen make multiple passes.

Quality checks you can see and touch

A professional roof looks tidy up close. Caps run straight, shingle courses align, flashing sits flat, and sealant beads are neat and minimal. Messy globs of sealant at a vent base are not a substitute for proper boot fit and flashing. On metal, panel seams should be tight and finish undamaged by handling.

Ask the foreman to walk the perimeter with you and review photos of critical areas: chimneys, skylights, valleys, plumbing penetrations, and transitions to siding or stucco. If you had a leak before, see the fix in detail. I like to keep a short punch list on my phone. If a downspout got bumped or a screen door latch was loosened by vibrations, they’ll address it before leaving.

How warranties actually work

There are two parts: manufacturer and workmanship. Manufacturer warranties cover defects in the shingles or panels. The strongest ones require certified installation and sometimes additional components from the same system, like specific underlayments or vents. Workmanship warranties cover installation errors, usually for a defined period such as five to ten years. Montgomery Roofing - Lorena Roofers stands behind their work with a workmanship warranty that reads clearly and avoids fine print traps like proration after year two for simple fixes.

Save the warranty paperwork, the final invoice, and the post-installation photos. If you sell the home, this package adds credibility and sometimes can be transferred to the new owner, depending on the product.

Special cases: skylights, chimneys, and low-slope transitions

Skylights make spaces come alive, but older units leak at the frame or through brittle seals. When replacing a roof, evaluate skylights on age and brand. If they’re older than 15 years, I recommend replacement while access is easy and flashing kits are being installed anyway. It costs less to do it now than return later to re-open the roof.

Chimneys in our region run a mix of masonry and prefabricated systems. Each calls for distinct flashing details. I still see roofs where someone smeared caulk at the base of a chimney and called it a day. Proper counterflashing cut into mortar joints with step flashing underneath will outlive sealant by a decade or more. If your chimney leans or shows spalling brick, a roofing day is not the time to bandaid it. Address the masonry first, then roof to a stable surface.

Low-slope add-ons, such as porch tie-ins or sunroom roofs, need materials designed for lower pitch. Traditional shingles require a minimum slope. A reputable crew will install modified bitumen or a peel-and-stick membrane where appropriate, then transition cleanly to shingle or metal at the correct overlap. This is one of the most common places I find chronic leaks on older homes.

The money conversation, without surprises

A transparent proposal spells out labor, materials, permits if required, decking replacement allowances, and change-order pricing. Some homeowners prefer a small contingency line for deck repair, for instance a set amount per sheet, with a cap unless you approve more. Progress payments typically track with material delivery and substantial completion. If anyone asks for full payment before work begins, walk away.

If an insurance claim is in play, your out-of-pocket is usually the deductible plus any upgrades you choose beyond what the carrier covers. Impact-rated shingles, metal, or specialty vents are typical upgrades. For many policies, upgrading to impact-rated shingles can produce a premium discount. Verify with your agent, since discounts vary.

After the job: what to watch and how to maintain

A new roof should be quiet: no flapping, no rattling vents, no loose ridge caps. After the first hard rain, walk the house and attic. Look for stains, damp insulation, or musty odor. Call immediately if something looks off. Reputable contractors return quickly and address issues without a debate over fault.

Seasonally, keep branches trimmed at least six feet off the roof, clean gutters, and glance at penetrations for signs of wear. Rubber boots on plumbing vents can crack after years of sun, and small replacements prevent big leaks. If you add a satellite dish, mount it on fascia or a non-penetrating stand, not the roof field. Penetrations void warranties and create future problems.

What sets a local Lorena roofer apart

Local crews know our climate’s extremes: hail that arrives like marbles and golf balls, UV that cooks south-facing slopes, and sudden gust fronts that test ridge lines. They also know our building codes and the common quirks of neighborhood builders. I’ve seen crews anticipate hidden valley rot on a specific model of home built across Lorena circa the mid-2000s, simply because they’ve repaired a dozen before. That kind of pattern recognition saves time and surprises.

Equally important is accountability. A company with a yard in town has to see you at the grocery store. If a shingle lifts or a vent rattles, you have a known door to knock on, and they have a reason to keep that door open.

A homeowner’s compact checklist for a smooth project

Ask for a photo-rich inspection report that shows problems and explains solutions in plain language.

Confirm ventilation calculations and what components they’ll add or replace to meet them.

Clarify decking replacement pricing and caps for change orders before the job starts.

Request daily cleanup and a final magnetic sweep, then walk the perimeter with the foreman.

Save your warranty documents, invoice, and final photos together for future reference or resale.

When repair beats replacement, and when it doesn’t

Not every aging roof needs replacement. If shingles are generally intact, flashing is solid, and leaks trace to one failed boot or a poorly sealed valley, a targeted repair can buy years. I favor repair when the roof is under 12 years old, damage is confined, and the surrounding area shows no widespread granule loss.

Replacement makes sense when hail hits an entire slope, multiple slopes show bruising or fractured mats, or granule loss exposes fiberglass across wide patches. Wind lift that breaks the bond across a large area can also justify replacement even if shingles remain on the roof. In those cases, you end up spending repair dollars repeatedly, only to replace sooner than planned. A forthright contractor will show you both paths and explain the long-term math.

The people behind the shingles

Roofing is craft and logistics. The best crews move like a well-practiced orchestra: tear-off pacing with loading, brief pauses at crickets and valleys while a lead installs flashing, and steady progress across the field. You’ll notice short water breaks, shade rotation in summer, and careful staging so heavy bundles don’t stress ridges. That discipline comes from experience and leadership on site.

Montgomery Roofing - Lorena Roofers invests in training and quality control. Foremen keep manufacturer guidelines handy, not as decoration but as daily reference. When a homeowner asks about nail placement or why a valley was woven instead of cut, they get an answer, not a shrug. That respect for the craft shows up months later when the first storm rolls in and the roof stays quiet.

Ready to talk with a local expert

If you are weighing repair versus replacement, need storm documentation for your insurer, or just want an honest checkup on an aging roof, reach out to the local team.

Contact Us

Montgomery Roofing - Lorena Roofers

Address: 1998 Cooksey Ln, Lorena, TX 76655, United States

Phone: (254) 902-5038

Website: https://roofstexas.com/lorena-roofers/

A roof project should not feel like a gamble. With clear inspection notes, a scope that explains itself, steady communication during installation, and a crew that values details you can see, you end up with more than new shingles. You get a dry, efficient home that will ride out Texas weather with fewer surprises.

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Pub: 21 Aug 2025 22:50 UTC

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