When a ceiling starts leaking or hail storms hit, a homeowner's first question is often, "How much is a new roof going to cost?"
According to Nicholas Riley, owner of Austin-based Driftwood Builders Roofing, the answer isn’t always straightforward. While an aging roof eventually needs a full replacement, many issues can be fixed with a targeted repair. That’s why Riley prioritizes an accurate diagnosis, ensuring homeowners only pay for the exact fix they need.
Since acquiring the company eight months ago, Riley has focused on upholding Driftwood’s nearly 21-year reputation of being centered on customer education and transparency.
What are the most common roofing issues in Austin?
The most common calls Driftwood Builders receives are about ceiling leaks.
Sometimes, the roof has simply reached the end of its life. In Central Texas, asphalt shingle roofs generally last 15 to 20 years before constant exposure to intense sun and heat causes the protective granules to wear away.
But a leak doesn't automatically mean a homeowner needs a full roof replacement. In many cases, the culprit is deteriorated sealant around plumbing or HVAC vent pipes that penetrate the roof. When rainwater slips through those openings, it can appear inside the home, even though the roof shingles are still in good condition.
"Instead of telling a customer they have to pay $40,000 for a new roof, we can tell them they need to pay $800 for us to reseal their pipes," Riley said. "When we say that, they're ecstatic."
Hail damage is another common concern throughout the Austin area. Rather than climbing onto the roof themselves, Riley recommends homeowners first inspect areas that are easier to access from the ground.
Circular dents or impact marks on gutters, downspouts, window screens, siding and even mailboxes can indicate hail may have damaged the roof and warrant a roof replacement.
How does the inspection process work?
Rather than simply recommending full roof replacements, Driftwood Builders focuses on showing homeowners exactly what inspectors find.
Each inspection includes extensive photo documentation using an app called CompanyCam. Furthermore, Riley recently equipped his team with Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses to record up to three minutes of the inspection, allowing customers to watch the roof assessment firsthand.
Before an inspection begins, homeowners often receive educational resources tailored to their roofing system. Afterward, inspectors review the photos and videos with customers to explain the exact cause of the problem.
That educational approach is one of the company's defining characteristics. Before purchasing Driftwood Builders, Riley analyzed every customer review the company had ever received by running them through artificial intelligence to identify common themes.
“The number one thing [our reviews showed] is that we’re known for customer education,” Riley said.
An experienced team makes all the difference
One recent project demonstrated why a careful, experienced diagnosis matters.
A homeowner purchasing a house contacted Driftwood Builders after six other roofing contractors failed to determine why the home's ceiling continued leaking. Most believed the issue stemmed from insulation inside the attic and recommended extensive $20,000 repairs.
Instead, Riley determined the leak was caused by the roof's design. The home's roof funneled an unusually large amount of surface area and rainwater into one tight section of the gutter system, causing water to back up during heavy storms and enter the home.
Riley was able to recognize the issue because Driftwood’s previous owner, Todd Munsinger, had encountered a similar situation a decade earlier. By consulting Munsinger, who spent more than two decades building the company and continues to mentor Riley, the team identified the real cause and saved the homeowner from paying unnecessary costs.
How does Driftwood help homeowners navigate insurance claims?
Driftwood prides itself on being insurance specialists, helping customers understand whether their storm damage qualifies for a claim. Over the last 20 years, the company worked with 126 different insurance carriers.
Riley noted that many homeowners come to Driftwood after other contractors were unable to get their claims approved by insurance adjusters.
"There have been a lot of times when customers have worked with multiple roofers and can't get insurance to pay for their roof. Then they work with Driftwood, and we can," Riley said. "That's something we love to do, because then the customer only has to pay [their deductible] out of pocket, which is roughly $5,000 instead of having to pay for a brand new roof, which is roughly $25,000."
To further simplify the process, the company recently launched an online calculator that helps homeowners estimate their out-of-pocket expenses based on their deductible.
Driftwood’s community impact
For Driftwood Builders Roofing, supporting the Austin community goes beyond repairing homes.
Riley and Munsinger are contributing their own personal funds to help repair the roof, siding and fascia of an older blind woman who cannot afford the necessary work. The project is part of a local Season for Caring program, which connects Central Texans in need with local businesses and community members who can help.
Driftwood also makes a point of reinvesting its marketing dollars locally. Approximately 80% of the company’s marketing budget goes back into the community through sponsorships, partnerships and events benefiting other Austin-area small businesses and local organizations.
For Riley and Munsinger, community involvement is not simply about increasing the company’s visibility. It is an opportunity to use Driftwood’s resources, relationships and roofing expertise to support the neighbors and small businesses that have supported the company for the past two decades.
Helping homeowners make confident decisions
While Riley officially became the owner eight months ago, the company’s primary crew leaders, Jose and Guillermo, have each been with the company for over a decade. In most cases, that level of experience allows them to fix or replace a roof in only one day.
But for Riley, the goal isn't simply replacing roofs; it's helping homeowners understand what's happening above their heads, documenting every recommendation and ensuring they only pay for the work they actually need.
Click here to learn more about Driftwood Builders Roofing, or to contact the team for an inspection today.
The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.