Permits, policy, and the Iowa-specific rules worth knowing.

Roofing work is one of the most heavily regulated home repairs, for good reason: bad installs cause structural damage, insurance fraud is common in the post-storm market, and every jurisdiction in the metro has slightly different rules. The basics below hold across Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties, with small variations by city.

Section onePermits — yes, almost always

Every city in the metro requires a permit for a roof replacement. The City of Des Moines' ePlans portal handles most residential applications; West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, and Ankeny each have their own process. Fees are modest (typically well under 1 percent of job cost). The permit covers an inspection after tear-off (to verify deck condition) and a final after install. Both should be pulled by the contractor, who then supplies you with the inspection record once it's closed out.

Section twoIowa insurance law, in plain English

Iowa Code chapter 103A and related provisions govern residential construction. Two specific provisions matter most for roofing. First, the "deductible kickback" prohibition: contractors cannot promise to pay, absorb, or rebate your insurance deductible. Any written or verbal offer to do so is unlawful and a contract based on it can be voided. Second, the mandatory written contract: residential contracts over $1,000 must be in writing, include specific disclosures, and give the homeowner a right to cancel within a window after signing.

Section threeHow insurance claims actually work

A Des Moines roof insurance claim typically runs: storm event → you file with your carrier → adjuster schedules an inspection → contractor meets adjuster at the house → a scope is written in Xactimate → an ACV (actual cash value) check is issued, minus deductible and any recoverable depreciation → work is done → final invoice submitted → the recoverable depreciation portion is released. You're responsible for your deductible regardless of what any contractor promised.

Iowa contractors cannot promise to pay, absorb, or rebate your insurance deductible. Any offer to do so is unlawful — and a contract based on it can be voided.

Section fourSupplemental claims and the real scope

Initial adjuster scopes commonly miss things — code-required upgrades, damage only visible during tear-off, matching rules, and so on. A legitimate contractor will submit a supplemental claim with documented photos and measurements, and the carrier will typically approve additional funds. Where this goes wrong is when the "supplement" becomes a pretext to upgrade materials you never had. Ask to see every supplemental request before it's submitted, and match it against what's actually in your contract.

Section fiveCode items your roofer should know

Current Iowa code (which tracks recent IRC cycles) requires drip edge at eaves and rakes on new installs, proper ice-and-water shield placement at eaves (typically 24 inches inside the warm wall line), nailing patterns specific to the wind zone, and limits on installing over an existing layer (one layer tear-off is standard; two-layer-over is rarely code-compliant for insurance-rated installs). If a contractor dismisses any of these as "we've always done it this way," get a second opinion before signing.

Informational only. This page is general guidance from an independent resource — not legal, insurance, or professional contracting advice. Roofing is a significant financial and safety decision; confirm specifics with a licensed Iowa roofing contractor, your city's building department, and your own homeowners policy before acting on anything here.