When should I hire someone to remove snow from my roof?

Hire someone when the roof is overloaded or you cannot clear it safely from the ground, and never climb up yourself to find out. The City of Alexandria advises homeowners who are concerned about snow depth to contact a licensed snow removal professional.^[1] It also says not to climb on your roof to remove snow, because it is extremely dangerous.^[1] That makes the question less about whether to hire and more about when the call is worth making.

Signs to call now

Leave the building first if you see signs of a failing roof. The City of Alexandria's advice is that if you see signs of roof sagging, see new cracks in walls or ceilings, or hear popping and creaking noises, evacuate the building immediately.^[1] If a collapse occurs, it says to call 911.^[1] A snow crew is for after you and the building are safe, and a structural problem needs an engineer or a licensed contractor, not a shovel.

Reasons to hire a crew, with no signs of damage

• the snow is deep or wet and there is more on the way, especially rain on top of snow
• drifting has loaded one side of the roof or a lower roof section
• the roof is steep, high or icy, so even reaching it is risky
• snow or ice could slide onto a walkway, a car, a gas meter or a neighbor
• you are not able to work safely at height yourself, for any reason

Renters should contact their landlord or building manager.^[1]

When it is probably fine to wait

A thin layer of snow often melts without help, and roofs are designed to carry snow. If nothing in the lists above applies, there are no signs of stress inside and the forecast is clear, waiting is usually reasonable. Keep walkways clear, and keep people out of the zone where snow could slide.

Falling snow and ice is also a public safety matter. In Alexandria, City inspectors first complete their duty of inspecting buildings and other locations for safety issues created by snow and ice falling from rooftops.^[1]

Hiring well

Ask for the scope and the price in writing, and ask how the crew will be protected on the roof. The Board for Contractors guide says to ask the contractor for local references, and call them to see if they were satisfied.^[2] DPOR's storm advice is to hire only licensed contractors qualified to do your job, with the right class and right specialty,^[3] and to get at least three estimates whenever possible.^[3] It also says: "Pay 10 percent down or $1,000, whichever amount is less."^[3]

How pros remove snow from a roof safely describes what a careful visit looks like, and how much it costs to rake snow off a roof in Virginia explains what drives the price.

When to call a licensed pro

For anything beyond clearing snow. If the crew finds torn shingles, lifted flashing or a leak, the repair is roofing work. Virginia's regulations define roofing contracting as the installation, repair, removal, or improvement of materials common to the industry that form a watertight, weather resistant surface for roofs and decks.^[4] The Board for Contractors guide says that if the work is valued at $1,000 or more, a valid Virginia contractor's license is required for the license category the contractor works in.^[2] A Class C contractor works on contracts over $1,000 but less than $30,000,^[5] so a larger repair needs a higher class. Check the licence through DPOR before you sign; how to check if a contractor is licensed in Virginia shows how.

More winter guidance is in snow and seasonal answers, and you can browse snow and seasonal services on Loclis.

To get help with your own roof, describe the job once and local businesses reply.