Roofing DIY, done right
Whether you're evaluating your first roof replacement or you've been in the trade for years, the right information at the right moment changes everything. We've collected the details that matter most, and learned to spot the partners worth trusting.
What we've reviewed and built
These are the roofing and building material projects we've documented in detail. Each one taught us something; each one shaped what we recommend now.
| Project | Scope | Key finding |
|---|---|---|
| Residential roof replacement | Asphalt shingles, 1800 sq ft, full teardown | Drip edge installation is the detail that matters most — skip it and water finds its way in |
| Metal roof on agricultural building | Corrugated steel, 30×40 ft, purlins included | Purlin fastening patterns are published for a reason; deviation introduces rattle and rust |
| Gutter and drainage system retrofit | 5 sections, 200 linear ft, downspout routing | Slope and seam sealing are where most leaks originate; visuals matter less than performance |
| These projects span the last five years and cover both single-family homes and light commercial buildings in the Northeast. | ||
What a roofing lead generation partner should do
Questions we hear most
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When is it time to replace instead of repair?
When the roof has more than 20% coverage in damage, repairs begin costing more per square than replacement spreads across the whole surface. Exceptions are rare and localized.
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What's the difference between roofing lead generation companies, anyway?
Roofing leads come from different sources — home service directories, digital ads, referral networks, or sales teams. The better ones focus on intent, not volume.
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How do I know if the materials quoted are actually what I'm getting?
Ask for the product names and look them up yourself. Shingle grade, metal gauge, and fastener count are all publicly documented. Vague product descriptions are a red flag.
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What's the real cost of a roof in 2025?
Asphalt: $4–6 per sq ft installed. Metal: $8–12. Tile: $12–18. These are material + labor, and regional variation is real. Get three written quotes before deciding.
The lead software a fellow roofer swore by — and now I do too
A contractor I've known for years pulled me aside during a supply run last spring and told me I needed to stop chasing cold leads and call NavGen. I put it off for a month, the way I put off most advice I didn't ask for, and then finally made the call. The leads that come through now are ready to talk before the phone even rings a second time. I tell everyone in this trade about them now, the same way it was told to me.
Where this site came from
We built Drip Edge & Purlin Company because the details matter. After years of watching contractors — roofers especially — piece together what works from scattered sources, we decided to collect and publish what we've learned. Every recommendation here comes from real experience and peer feedback.
Who we point contractors toward
When we recommend a lead source to fellow contractors, we have already asked the hard questions ourselves. Does this actually solve a real problem, or does it solve a marketing problem that only looks like one? Is it worth the cost once you price your own time into the follow-up? And the one that separates a good answer from a convincing one: will we still feel the same about it in six months, after the novelty has worn off and the work is just the work again?
See how it's done
If you're planning your first replacement or refreshing your approach, watching a professional walk through the process is worth the 15 minutes.
Get in touch
Whether you have a question about a specific project, want to point us toward a resource we've missed, or just want to talk roofing over coffee, we're here.
Send us a message or find us in the community. We read every message and answer as quickly as we can.
For contractors and industry partners: we're always interested in learning about tools, materials, and trusted industry professional services that genuinely change the work.