Inspection and Estimate
We come out, get on the roof, and tell you what we see. No vague reports, no pressure. You'll know what needs to be done and roughly what it costs before we schedule any work.
Eau Claire, WI · Trusted Home Improvement Since 1993
Roofing Done Right the First Time, Every Time
Roofing repairs, replacements, and emergency work by a contractor with 33 years of experience. Licensed, local, and honest. Call for a free estimate today.
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- Serving Eau Claire & Western WI
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Midwest Home Improvements
Why Choose Midwest Home Improvements
Roofing is the one part of your home you can't afford to get wrong. A failed roof doesn't stay a roofing problem for long. It becomes a framing problem, an insulation problem, a mold problem. At Midwest Home Improvements, we've been handling roofing repairs and full replacements since 1993, and we know what a proper installation looks like because we've been doing it for 33 years. Call (715) 894-1120 to schedule your estimate before a small issue turns into a much larger repair bill.
A roofing job is priced by the square (100 sq. ft.), roof pitch, material type, and what's found once the old material comes off. Asphalt shingles on a straightforward ranch home sit at one end of the range. Steep-pitch roofs, metal standing seam panels, or roofs with significant decking damage push the cost considerably higher. The market range for a full residential replacement runs from roughly $5,000 to $25,000 or more depending on size, condition, and materials. Repairs are generally far less, but the only honest way to price a repair is to see it. Every job is different. Contact Midwest Home Improvements for an accurate estimate.
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What Midwest Home Improvements Handles on Roofing Jobs
We handle the full range of residential roofing work: shingle replacement, flat roof repairs, flashing installation, ridge cap work, decking repair, and full tear-off and reroof projects. We also work alongside our seamless gutters service when drainage issues are part of the problem. If water is getting in, we'll find out where and fix it properly. We don't patch over a systemic problem and call it done.
How We Handle Local Permits and HOA Requirements
At Midwest Home Improvements, we keep up with local zoning ordinances, building permit requirements, and homeowners association guidelines throughout the communities we serve, from Altoona and Chippewa Falls to Menomonie and Fall Creek. A roofing job that skips permits can void your homeowner's insurance coverage and create problems when you sell. We pull the permits that are required. Every time. If your HOA has material or color restrictions, we sort that out before we order anything.
Signs You Need a Roofer Now, Not Next Season
Missing or curling shingles, dark staining on interior ceilings, shingle granules washing down into your home's gutter system, and daylight visible in your attic are all signs that waiting is the wrong call. Wisconsin winters are hard on roofing systems. Ice dams force water under shingles in ways that don't show up until spring, and by then the damage is already done. You don't need to wait for an active leak to schedule an inspection. A quick look now is cheaper than emergency work in February. Call (715) 894-1120 to set up a time that works for you.
Architectural vs 3-Tab Shingles: What We Install on Eau Claire Roofs
Most homeowners in the Eau Claire area choose between two asphalt shingle types, and the right call depends on your roof's exposure and how long you plan to stay in the home. Western Wisconsin roofs cycle above and below freezing dozens of times each winter, and that repeated expansion and contraction is what cracks brittle shingles at the edges and valleys first. That's exactly where wind-driven rain and snowmelt get in, so material choice matters more here than in a milder climate.
3-tab shingles lay flat, cost less per square, and typically carry a wind rating around 60 mph. They're a reasonable choice on a low-slope ranch that's sheltered from the prevailing wind, or when you're preparing a home for sale and want a sound roof without paying for the longest-lived material. In our 33 years working roofs from Altoona to Menomonie, we've seen 3-tab roofs run 15 to 20 years when the attic underneath is well ventilated.
Architectural shingles, also called dimensional shingles, are thicker, laminated in two layers, and rated for higher wind speeds, commonly 110 to 130 mph depending on the line. They cost more per square than 3-tab, but they hold up better against the freeze-thaw cycling and the ice-dam pressure that define a Wisconsin winter. On exposed roofs and steeper pitches, that extra durability is usually worth the difference, and most architectural shingle roofs run 25 to 30 years here with proper ventilation.
On an exposed roof that catches the northwest wind off open ground, we almost always steer homeowners toward architectural shingles, because the freeze-thaw punishment out here chews through the cheaper 3-tab at the edges years before its time. We don't push the pricier option by default, though. On the right roof, a well-installed 3-tab does its job. We'll tell you which one actually fits your pitch, your exposure, and how long you plan to own the home. Call (715) 894-1120 and we'll walk you through it on-site.
Signs of a Roof Leak & When Repair Beats Replacement
A roof leak doesn't always mean you need a new roof, and it doesn't always mean a quick patch will hold. The right answer comes from finding where the water is actually getting in, and across the Chippewa Valley three sources account for most of the leaks we chase.
Ice-dam leaks are the most common by far in this climate. When attic heat melts snow that refreezes at the cold eave, water backs up under the shingles and finds its way through, usually showing up as ceiling stains in late winter. Flashing failures are next: the metal that seals chimneys, valleys, skylights, and vent pipes is where leaks start far more often than the shingle field itself, and failed flashing is frequently a repair rather than a full replacement. Decking rot is the serious one. When water has been getting in for a while, the plywood or board decking underneath goes soft, and once it's compromised over any real area, patching the surface won't hold because there's nothing solid left to fasten to.
This is why we get on the roof and trace the leak to its source before quoting anything. A stain over your bedroom might come from a flashing joint that failed six feet away, because water travels along the decking before it drips. Tearing off shingles above the stain and hoping is how a leak gets patched twice and still comes back.
Repair beats replacement when the shingles still have years of life left, the leak traces to an isolated failure like a single flashing joint or a few wind-lifted shingles, and the decking under the problem area is still solid. As we noted in our process above, rotted decking gets replaced before any new material goes on, so if we open up the surface and the sheathing is soft across a wide area, a targeted repair stops making sense. Replacement is the right call when the shingles are original and 20-plus years old, granule loss is widespread, you're seeing leaks in more than one place, or the decking has failed over a significant area. In those cases a series of repairs usually costs more over the next decade than doing it once, correctly.
Either way, the only honest way to price a leak is to see it. Call (715) 894-1120 or send us a message and we'll find the source before we quote a fix.
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Honest advice and a clear estimate — no pressure, no obligation.
Our Roofing Process
Material Selection
We'll walk you through material options that fit your budget and your roof's pitch and structure. Not every material works on every roof. We'll tell you what's appropriate for your specific situation.
Tear-Off and Decking Check
We remove the old roofing and inspect the decking underneath. Rotted or soft decking gets replaced before new material goes on. Covering up bad decking is how a 20-year roof fails in 8.
Installation and Cleanup
We install to manufacturer specifications so warranty coverage stays intact. When we're done, the job site is cleaned up. Nails in the yard and debris in the gutters are not how we leave a property.
Our Work
Recent Roofing Projects
Take a look at some of the roofing work we've completed for homeowners across the region. You can also browse our recent projects gallery for a broader look at what we've built and repaired over the years.
Reviews
What Homeowners Say About Our Roofing Work
We've been the company homeowners turn to for roofing across western Wisconsin since 1993. Here's what some of them have said.
Stephen and his crew replaced our entire roof after a bad hail storm. They pulled the permit, handled everything with our insurance adjuster, and finished in one day. No surprises on the final bill.
I had two other contractors look at a leak over our master bedroom. Both gave vague answers. Midwest Home Improvements found the source in about 20 minutes and fixed it the same week. Honest people.
They've done our roof, our gutters, and our windows over the past few years. Every time, they showed up when they said they would and stayed within the budget we discussed.
Ready to Schedule a Roofing Estimate?
Whether you're dealing with a leak right now or you want a professional set of eyes on a roof that's getting up in age, Midwest Home Improvements is ready to help. We also offer complete home remodeling if your project goes beyond the roof. Call (715) 894-1120 or send us a message and we'll get back to you quickly.
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Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a roof?
A full residential roof replacement typically ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 or more. The spread is wide because pitch, square footage, material choice, and the condition of the decking underneath all drive the number significantly. A simple ranch with asphalt shingles costs far less than a steep-pitch roof with damaged sheathing. Repairs are usually a fraction of replacement cost, but they need to be scoped in person. Every job is different. Contact Midwest Home Improvements for an accurate estimate.
What does the term "roofing" mean?
In the trade, roofing refers to the full system that covers and protects a structure from weather. That includes the decking (the structural substrate), underlayment, the primary surface material (shingles, metal panels, TPO, etc.), flashing at penetrations and transitions, and ridge and edge treatments. A properly installed roof functions as a system. Replacing only one component while leaving damaged others intact is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make when trying to save money on a repair.
What is the 25% rule for roofing?
Some jurisdictions require a full tear-off and replacement if more than 25% of a roof surface needs repair or replacement in a given period. The rule exists to prevent contractors from layering new materials over deteriorating systems. In practice, it means that what starts as a repair quote sometimes becomes a full replacement once the damage is measured. At Midwest Home Improvements, we check local permit requirements before recommending a scope of work, so you're not surprised mid-project.
How do you pick a good roofer?
Any roofer worth hiring will give you a clear written estimate, pull required permits, and be reachable by phone throughout the job. Verify they carry liability insurance and ask specifically who will be on your roof. A contractor who subs out every job to day labor is a different situation than a crew led by someone who's been doing this work for decades. At Midwest Home Improvements, Stephen Bonander has been in the trade for 33 years and is directly involved in the work we take on.
How long does a shingle roof last in Wisconsin's climate?
A standard 3-tab asphalt shingle roof typically lasts 15 to 20 years in Wisconsin conditions. Architectural (dimensional) shingles run 25 to 30 years under normal circumstances. Wisconsin's freeze-thaw cycles, ice damming in winter, and UV exposure in summer accelerate wear at the edges and valleys faster than in milder climates. Proper ventilation in the attic is one of the biggest factors in roof longevity. A poorly ventilated attic will shorten any roof's life, regardless of what material is on it.
When is a repair enough versus a full roof replacement?
If fewer than 30% of the surface is affected and the decking is solid, a targeted repair is often the right call. If the shingles are original and 20-plus years old, granule loss is widespread, or there are multiple areas showing failure, replacement typically costs less over the next decade than a series of ongoing repairs. The honest answer depends on what we find when we get up there. We'll tell you which direction makes financial sense for your specific roof, not just what produces the larger invoice.