- Complimentary Inspections
- Family Owned and Operated
- 20+ Years Experience
- Licensed and Insured
Roof replacement for West Columbia homes
A roof replacement in West Columbia, SC goes through the city's own Building Department, and reroofs are on its permit list. The city was chartered in 1894 as Brookland and took the name West Columbia in 1936, per its city history. Lake Murray Construction, a family owned roofer based at 230 Joe Free Rd in Chapin, brings more than 20 years of experience to that work. We begin with a complimentary roof inspection, photos and an estimate in writing before any work begins.
Our replacements are full tear offs followed by new asphalt shingles in the color and profile you pick. See the roof replacement service page for the details, or the West Columbia roofing company page for repairs, inspections and storm work in the city. Call (803) 708-6628, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Old roof stripped down to the deck
- New asphalt shingles in many colors
- Complimentary inspection with photos
- Estimate in writing before any work begins
- Most homes done in a day or two
- Yard cleaned and swept for nails
Get a fast, no obligation estimate from our team.
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What Our Customers Say
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Get a Free EstimateWhy West Columbia homeowners choose us for a new roof
Honest About Repairs
When a repair is enough, you hear it first, with the reasons. A new roof should be the right call, not the default.
Nothing Hidden Underneath
We tear off the old roof completely, so problems in the deck are found before the new shingles go on.
A Clean Finish
We clean the yard and run a magnet for nails before the final inspection, so the yard looks the way it did before we arrived.
Family Owned, Licensed and Insured
Our family owned company is licensed and insured, with more than 20 years in roofing. You are welcome to check our license in the state lookup.
Your West Columbia roof replacement, start to finish
- 1
Book It
Call or use the form for your complimentary inspection and estimate.
- 2
Inspect
We document cracks, missing shingles, curling and poor sealing with photos.
- 3
Approve
Review the written report and estimate, and decide with no obligation.
- 4
Install
The old roof comes off to the deck and new shingles go on, most homes in a day or two, weather permitting.
- 5
Inspect Again
After cleanup and a sweep for nails with a magnet, we finish with a final inspection of the new roof.
Is it time for a new roof in West Columbia?
Age alone does not decide it. Look for shingles curling or cracking across whole slopes, granules collecting in the gutters, bare spots and leaks in more than one place. One storm damaged section is often a roof repair instead. Our inspection photos show which situation you are in. Granules in the gutters mean the shingles have lost the layer that shields them from the sun.
If replacement is the answer, the residential code shapes the job. Chapter 9 calls for removing existing roofing down to the deck on a replacement and does not allow another layer over a roof that already has two. We tear off every time, so the new roof goes on a clean, sound surface. A clean deck is the right base for the new underlayment and shingles.
Permits for a West Columbia reroof
Building Department address
The city's Building Department is at 200 N. 12th Street, West Columbia, SC 29169, 803-791-1880 ext. 183.
Reroofs need a permit
Reroofs appear on the city's list of permitted work, so a full replacement inside city limits starts with a permit from the Building Department.
Before any work starts
The city says every permit must be obtained before construction begins, and the project must have zoning approval.
Inspection requests
Inspections are requested online, and the Building Official takes permit questions at 803-936-6286.
Business license
West Columbia requires any new business operating in the city to first obtain a city business license.
County addresses
Outside city limits in Lexington County, the county permit office on the fourth floor at 212 South Lake Dr., (803) 785-8130, handles permits, and it advises homeowners to require the contractor to obtain the permit.
What the code requires of the new roof
Current and next edition
The 2021 South Carolina Residential Code took effect January 1, 2023, and the 2024 edition follows on January 1, 2027, under codes the Building Codes Council adopts.
Minimum slope
Chapter 9 says asphalt shingles need a 2 in 12 slope or steeper, with two layers of underlayment up to 4 in 12.
Fasteners
Every strip shingle takes four nails at a minimum under the same chapter.
Edges and wind rating
Drip edge is required along the eaves and rakes, and shingles must pass the ASTM D7158 wind test.
Weather that wears out West Columbia roofs
West Columbia sits along the Saluda and Congaree rivers, per the city's financial report, and its roofs face the same heat the National Weather Service records at Columbia Metropolitan Airport: about 81 days a year at 90 degrees or hotter. Years of that dry out shingles and loosen their granules. The 1991 to 2020 normals add 45.24 inches of rain a year, with June, July and August the wettest months.
Storms are the fast part. The Columbia office issues most severe weather warnings from April to July, and its record gust of 88 mph came from a microburst on August 15, 2023. Weather like that is why the code sets nailing and wind test rules for shingles. After a storm like that, an inspection shows whether the roof needs a repair or a replacement.
Storm claims, contracts and licenses
The South Carolina Department of Insurance claims guide lays out the order after a storm: make temporary repairs that prevent more damage, keep every receipt, and do not sign a repair or replacement contract before the adjuster agrees on the scope. We provide photos and a written damage report to support the claim. If water is coming in, put the temporary cover in place first and save the receipt.
Check any roofer before you sign. The Residential Builders Commission licenses residential builders and specialty contractors, and the state licensee lookup searches by name, license number, city or company. Ask for the license number and search it yourself.
Serving West Columbia and the Midlands
We repair and replace roofs across the area, including
Every job starts with a complimentary roof inspection.
West Columbia roof replacement questions
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in West Columbia?
Yes. The city's permit list includes reroofs, and the permit must be obtained before work starts. The project also needs zoning approval.
Who do I call with permit questions?
The Building Official at 803-936-6286, or the Building Department at 803-791-1880 ext. 183. Inspections are requested online.
How long does a replacement take?
Most single family homes are done in a day or two, weather permitting. Larger or steeper roofs take longer, and we share the plan before we start.
Will you remove my old shingles?
Yes, down to the deck, on every replacement we do. The code calls for that on a replacement, and it lets us see the deck.
Can I choose the shingle color?
Yes. We install asphalt shingles in a range of colors and profiles. The roof style preview on our roof replacement page shows the options.
Does insurance cover a new roof?
It depends on your policy and the cause of the damage. Your insurer decides, and our photos and written report give the adjuster the record they ask for.
Still have questions? Call (803) 708-6628 or request your complimentary estimate.
Ready for a Roof You Can Count On?
Reach out today for a complimentary roof inspection and estimate.