Emergency Roof Repair: What to Do Right Now
Water coming in or shingles torn off? Here is what to do in the next hour, what an emergency tarp and a same-day repair cost, how insurance treats it, and how to tell whether it's time for a new roof.
How much does emergency roof repair cost?
Expect three kinds of charges. An emergency tarp runs about $1.00 to $2.80 per square foot of tarp, which usually includes the after-hours visit, debris removal, photos for insurance and a repair estimate. A permanent repair costs the same as any roof repair ($350 to $1,000 per 100 sq ft of asphalt shingles, $150 to $300 minimum). And urgency costs extra: roofers typically add $200 to $300 for an unscheduled call and charge time-and-a-half for 24-hour emergency service (HomeGuide, 2026).
| Damage size | Emergency tarp only | Repair, regular slot | Repair, same day | Repair, nights / 24-hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One spot (a few shingles, a vent boot) | $170–$470 169 sq ft tarp | $150–$300 | $350–$600 | $400–$690 |
| About 100 sq ft (one square, a branch hole) | $320–$910 324 sq ft tarp | $350–$1,000 | $550–$1,300 | $660–$1,600 |
| About 200 sq ft (a torn-off section) | $490–$1,370 490 sq ft tarp | $700–$2,000 | $900–$2,300 | $1,110–$2,900 |
| About 400 sq ft (tree limb, large wind tear) | $780–$2,200 784 sq ft tarp | $1,400–$4,000 | $1,600–$4,300 | $2,020–$5,500 |
How these are worked out. Tarp area = the damage plus 4 ft on every side (a RoofGenius assumption); the $150–$300 minimum call-out applies to small jobs. The 24-hour column adds the unscheduled fee plus time-and-a-half on labor, treating labor as 60% of the repair. Decking, interior ceilings and water-damage drying are extra; use the calculator below. Ranges are estimates from national figures, not quotes.
Emergency roof repair cost calculator
Example: a 100 sq ft wind tear on an asphalt roof, repaired by a 24-hour crew, with a wet ceiling below: repair $350–$1,000, after-hours premium $310–$600, ceiling $500–$2,500, about $1,160–$4,100 in all. Tarping that night and booking the repair for a weekday instead: about $1,170–$4,410.
Tarp now or repair now?
- Tarp now, repair later when it's still storming, it's night, roofers are swamped after a regional storm, or you need the adjuster to see the damage before permanent work. Some roofers tarp free if you hire them for the repair.
- Repair now when it's a small, obvious failure (a lifted flashing, a cracked pipe boot, a few blown-off shingles) on a dry day, and a crew can do it in an hour or two. Most repairs take 30 minutes to a day.
- Do it yourself only if it's safe: a low-slope or single-story roof, dry, daylight, someone holding the ladder. A tarp from a hardware store stretched past the damage and screwed through wood battens (not nailed through the bare tarp) will hold for weeks. Never on a steep, wet or two-story roof.
Will insurance pay for emergency roof repair?
If the damage came from a covered event like wind, hail or a falling tree, usually yes. The Insurance Information Institute advises photographing the damage, then taking reasonable steps to protect the home from further damage and saving receipts, which most policies reimburse up to a set amount. Two cautions from the same guidance: temporary-repair payments come out of your total settlement, so don't overpay a contractor for a tarp, and don't make extensive permanent repairs until the adjuster has seen the damage. Wear, age and neglect generally aren't covered, and leaving damage unrepaired can make later rot and mold your problem.
- Estimate what you'd actually get with the roof insurance claim payout calculator (deductible, RCV vs ACV, depreciation).
- After hail, check hail damage roof repair and replacement costs and the hail damage inspection guide.
- Confirm the storm hit your area with NOAA reports on the hail storm reports by state page: Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri.
When the emergency means a new roof
A patch makes sense on a young roof with one damaged area. Replacement starts to make more sense when the repair quote is over about $3,000, the damage covers more than about a quarter of the roof, or the roof is past about 20 years and this isn't its first leak. The repair or replace decision tool prices both for your roof, and the roof repair cost page lists prices for specific repairs.
What would a new roof cost? Check by address
If the roofer or adjuster says replace, know the number first. Type your address: we find the house on the map, measure the roof and price it in every material. No sign-up, no phone number.
1. Find your house
2. Check the details
Hiring a roofer in a hurry
- Ask for proof of license (where your state requires one) and insurance before anyone climbs up.
- Get the tarp price in writing, and whether it's credited against the repair.
- Avoid big upfront payments and storm chasers who knock right after a storm offering to "handle the claim". Get written, line-by-line bids; your roofing estimate, explained shows what each line means.
Sources
- HomeGuide, How Much Does Roof Repair Cost? (2026), Feb 9, 2026 (emergency tarp, unscheduled and 24-hour premiums, minimum fees, repair per square by material, decking, ceiling repair, labor share, repair duration).
- Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), Settling insurance claims after a disaster and How to file a homeowners claim (temporary repairs, receipts, waiting for the adjuster).
- NAIC, Know the Difference Between Replacement Cost and Actual Cash Value When It Comes to Your Roof.
Accessed November 4, 2026. National figures; local labor rates, storm demand and your policy wording decide the real numbers. Safety steps are general guidance, not professional advice for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Will insurance cover emergency roof repair?
Usually, when a covered event such as wind, hail or a fallen tree caused the damage. Most policies reimburse reasonable temporary repairs that prevent further damage, up to a set amount, so photograph the damage first and keep receipts. Wear and neglect generally are not covered, and you should not make extensive permanent repairs before the adjuster inspects.
How much does it cost to tarp a roof?
About $1.00 to $2.80 per square foot of tarp for an emergency tarping service, with a $150 to $300 minimum (HomeGuide, 2026). Covering a 10 × 10 ft hole means tarping roughly 18 × 18 ft, about $320 to $910. Some roofers tarp free if you hire them for the repair.
Can I tarp my roof myself?
Yes, if the roof is low, single-story and dry, and you work in daylight with someone holding the ladder. Run the tarp well past the damage, ideally over the ridge, and fasten it through wood battens rather than through the bare tarp. Never go on a wet, steep or two-story roof; call a roofer instead.
How fast can a roofer come for an emergency?
Many roofers offer same-day or after-hours tarping, typically for $200 to $300 extra on an unscheduled call or time-and-a-half for 24-hour service. After a big regional storm, waits for permanent repairs can stretch out, which is why a tarp comes first.
How much does emergency roof leak repair cost?
A small leak repair runs about $150 to $1,000 plus a $200 to $300 unscheduled-call fee. Larger damage costs $350 to $1,000 per 100 sq ft of asphalt shingles, more for metal, tile or slate, and more again if decking or the ceiling below need repair.