A professional ice dam removal business that uses the customized ice dam steamer as well as employs a tech that has the experience and knows exactly what is going on will cost anywhere from $300 – $600 per hour, according to demand and fluctuating environmental conditions.
Most jobs take between two to four hours, meaning one session of ice dam removal could cost you upwards of $2,000. That may sound expensive, but once you consider the expensive custom-built equipment, insurance, and having to keep guys on-call every day of the winter, that’s what it comes out to. And if you have an especially significant dam or own a commercial property with a lot of roof to service, you could be looking at a full-day removal and a full day’s worth of charges.
Cheap hourly rates are a red flag, as are free estimates. If you’ve found a company promoting rates less than $300 – $600 an hour, it’s likely that they’re not only inexperienced but also that they’re not properly insured. They may be insured, but not specifically for ice dam removal.
Sign a detailed contract and make sure your contract spells out exactly what will be done. A contract should include an hourly rate and the exact materials that will be used down to the model number and who will provide which materials. If you don’t have it documented, it’s your word against theirs.
Yes, ice dam steam removal is expensive, but it is also the safest most effective method. After all, you don’t want someone up there damaging your roof and shingles. Also, a good ice dam company can recommend any pre-arrival tips that the homeowner can accomplish to help save on costs before the ice dam removal company arrives. Being prepared for the appointment can save you several hundred dollars, if not more.
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