A storm brings more calls than you can handle. A dry season brings almost none. Crews sit idle and good people leave.
Roofing play · Roof age
Roof replacement leads from homes whose original roof is past 20 years.
Storms are unpredictable. Roof age isn't. Spur finds owner-occupied homes old enough that the original shingles are near the end of their life, writes a roof check offer that names the home's age, and mails it on a steady schedule, so your crews have replacement work between storms.
Free forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
USPSFirst-Class
Patricia Owens9216 Ashford LnCharlotte, NC 28277Scan to book your roof check
Patricia O. requested a replacement estimate · 31 min ago
AI-written for this owner · Mailed in 2 days
20–30 yrstypical life of asphalt shingle roofs
Owned 15+ yrsso the original roof is likely still on
Year-roundreplacement work that doesn't wait for storms
The problem
Between storms, most roofers have no plan for leads.
Most owners don't think about the roof until water comes through the ceiling. Then they call whoever answers and decide fast.
A carrier-route mailer reaches 2019 builds with new roofs as often as 1999 homes on their original shingles.
How it works
From list to mailbox in one workflow.
Five steps from an aging-roof list to a replacement estimate.
app.usespur.com
See it in Spur
An aging-roof list in Spur
Sample homes in one south Charlotte zip likely on their original roofs. Names are partly masked.
Zip 28277Single-familyOwner-occupiedBuilt 1995–2005Owned 15+ yrs
- Patricia O.9216 Ashford Ln2,640 sq ft · built 2001Owned 22 yrsLikely original roof
- Sam & Leah K.10422 Wyndham Ct3,180 sq ft · built 1998Owned 25 yrsSteep pitch
- Victor N.8817 Ballantyne Ridge Dr2,210 sq ft · built 2003Owned 18 yrs
- Joan H.9605 Kingscroft Rd2,950 sq ft · built 1996Owned 27 yrsLikely original roof
- Andre M.10118 Glenmac Rd2,480 sq ft · built 2000Owned 16 yrs
AI draft for Patricia O. · 9216 Ashford Ln
YOUR 2001 ROOF IS HEADING INTO ITS 24TH WINTER.
Hi Patricia, homes on Ashford Lane were built around 2001. If yours still has the original shingles, they've been through more than two decades of Carolina sun and storms, which is about as long as standard shingles are designed to last.
The best time to plan a roof is before it leaks. Our free roof check takes about 30 minutes. We'll photograph every slope, check flashing and vents, and tell you honestly whether you have years left or should start planning. Financing is available if you need it.
Scan the code to book a time that works for you.
Tom Reilly · Queen City Roofing · (704) 555-0158
Sample data for illustration. Your results depend on your market and filters.
Playbook
How to use roof age to find replacement leads between storms
Roof age is the most reliable predictor of a replacement that roofers have, and it's mostly visible in public records. InterNACHI's life-expectancy estimates put standard three-tab asphalt shingles at about 20 years and architectural shingles at about 30, with heat, sun, ventilation, and storms pushing real lifespans up or down. A home built 20 to 30 years ago that still has its first owner is a good bet to still have its first roof.
Build year alone isn't enough. Ownership length helps you avoid homes that sold recently, because buyers often negotiate a new roof or the seller replaces it before listing. Owner occupancy matters because owners decide differently than landlords. Building permits, where your county publishes them, can also show which homes have already had a roof replaced, so you can remove them from the list.
Lead with a roof check, not a sales pitch. "Your 2001 roof is heading into its 24th winter" is factual and specific. A free 30-minute check with photos lets the homeowner see the condition for themselves, and puts your estimator on the roof before the leak. Some homeowners will learn they have years left, and those owners will remember who told them the truth.
There are good reasons for homeowners to plan ahead. Many insurers look at roof age when writing or renewing policies, and some limit coverage for older roofs. FHA guidelines also require a roof to have at least two years of remaining life for a home to qualify, which matters if the owner plans to sell. Mention these facts plainly and let the homeowner decide.
Finally, treat this as a steady program. Mail a slice of the aging-roof list every month instead of one big drop, so your estimators have a predictable calendar. Re-mail non-responders after six to eight weeks, and keep them on the list for next year, because a roof that's fine today is a year older next spring.
20×return on a year of Spur Team from one $12,000 replacement
Steady replacements without waiting for weather.
- Spur Team: $588/yr, plus 150 aging-roof homes a month × 12 = 1,800 postcards at $0.94 = $1,692
- One $12,000 roof replacement = 20× your subscription
- Three replacements a year from the program = $36,000, or 16× the full software and postage spend
Example math. Roof prices, close rates, and lifespans vary by market and material. Run your own numbers →
One tool, not four
Spur vs. the usual way to find retail roof jobs
What you needThe usual waySpur
Homes likely on original roofsEDDM routes or purchased lists✓ Built in
Owner's mailing address and phoneSeparate data vendor✓ Built in
Card about this home's roof ageGeneric "new roof" coupon✓ Built in
Monthly mail without reworkOne-off drops when it's slow✓ Built in
Knowing who's interestedWaiting for the phone✓ Built in
Roof Age Targeting by the numbers
Why roof age predicts the next replacement
~20 / ~30 yrs
estimated life of three-tab and architectural asphalt shingles
2 years
of remaining roof life is required for a home to qualify for an FHA-insured mortgage
20×
return on a year of Spur Team from one $12,000 replacement
FAQ
Roof age targeting questions
How do I find homes that need a new roof?
Use build year and ownership length as proxies for roof age. Owner-occupied homes built 20 to 30 years ago and held 15+ years by the same owner are likely on their original roof. Remove recent sales and, where available, homes with recent roofing permits.
How long does an asphalt shingle roof last?
InterNACHI estimates about 20 years for three-tab shingles and about 30 for architectural shingles. Heat, sun exposure, ventilation, and storms can shorten or extend that.
Is roof age targeting different from storm marketing?
Yes. Storm marketing reacts to a weather event in a few neighborhoods. Roof age targeting is a steady, year-round program that keeps replacement work coming between storms. Most roofers run both.
What offer works best for older roofs?
A free roof check with photos and an honest assessment of remaining life. Add financing if you offer it. Avoid scare tactics. The age of the roof is persuasive on its own.
How often should I mail an aging-roof list?
Mail a slice of the list every month so your estimators have a steady calendar, and re-mail non-responders after six to eight weeks. Keep everyone on the list for next year.
Keep exploring
Related plays and guides
Start in minutes. No card required.
Keep crews busy between storms.
Build an aging-roof list for your service area and mail your first roof check offer today. Free to start.
Find homes with aging roofs — freeFree forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
Prefer a walkthrough? Book a demo