Cola City Roofing: Services, Costs and How It Works

What is Cola City Roofing?

Cola City Roofing is a roofing company in Columbia, South Carolina. "Cola" is the local nickname for Columbia. The company describes itself as locally owned and family-run, and says that when you call "you talk to a neighbor, not a call center." Its office is at 1314 Pulaski St, Columbia, SC 29201.

Most of its work is on homes: full roof replacements, repairs, storm damage and the gutters that go with a roof. It also does soft wash roof cleaning, metal roofing, and non-residential work on offices, churches, apartment and townhome communities, warehouses and other commercial buildings.

The site is unusually large for a local roofer. Beyond its service pages it publishes a library of homeowner guides (on permits, estimates, warranties, insurance claims and buying or selling a house), a roofing glossary, roofing calculators, a page of 305 answered roofing and gutter questions, and an online Instant Estimate tool. The tool lets you trace your roof on a map and get a ballpark price in about a minute. The company's terms of service say that figure is a preliminary, non-binding estimate, and that a binding price comes only in a written proposal signed by both sides after an on-site inspection.

Who owns Cola City Roofing, and who works there?

The owner is Todd Heffner. The BBB also lists him as the company's principal and customer contact. His bio on the site describes him as the owner and principal roofing expert with more than 10 years of residential and commercial roofing experience, covering material selection, installation oversight, inspections, storm damage assessment and insurance documentation. The About page says Todd is a US Navy veteran. He is also the named author of the company's blog posts and guides.

The site names these people, with the roles and backgrounds it gives them:

These credentials are as published by the company; we did not check them against a registry. The site describes Bob McDaniel as an independent inspector who has "no financial incentive to sell roofing work." If an independent opinion matters to you, ask how his role works on your job. The About page also introduces Charlie, the company mascot.

Is Cola City Roofing legit?

Here is what a homeowner can check before signing anything:

• BBB accreditation. The Better Business Bureau profile shows Cola City Roofing as a BBB Accredited Business since 26 June 2024 with an A+ rating, zero complaints in the last three years, and Todd Heffner as principal. It lists the business as an LLC with a start date of 15 September 2023. (BBB ratings measure how a business handles complaints and other factors; they are not a quality rating of the work.)
• A local street address and phone line. 1314 Pulaski St, Columbia, and (803) 734-3700 appear on every page and in the terms of service.
• A local award. The site says Cola City Roofing was voted a 2026 Best of Columbia winner in the Free Times (The Post and Courier) readers' poll, which it notes is decided by public vote.
• Published reviews. The site shows a 5.0 average Google rating and quotes named Google reviewers on its testimonials page. These are selected and displayed by the company; read the full Google profile yourself for the whole picture.
• Photographed jobs. The projects page shows 64 completed jobs with before, during and after photos across about 20 communities, pinned by city rather than street address to protect customers' privacy.
• Named people. The site names its owner and five staff with bios (see above).

About "licensed." The site says Cola City Roofing is licensed and insured. In South Carolina, residential roofers are registered with the Residential Builders Commission (part of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, or LLR) rather than licensed by exam; state law covers specialty contractor jobs over $500. The company's own contractor guide explains this and says the registration belongs to a person, so you should search the owner's name as well as the company name. We could not reach the LLR lookup when we checked, so we have not confirmed a registration number. Ask the company for its registration and a certificate of insurance, and check the number on the LLR site.

About manufacturer certification. The company installs GAF, Owens Corning and CertainTeed products, but the site does not claim a manufacturer certification program (such as a "certified" or "master" contractor tier). Some manufacturers' top warranty tiers are available only through their certified contractors, so ask which warranty tier your quote includes.

What services does Cola City Roofing offer?

A seasonal page also offers fall and winter prep: hurricane-season roof checks through 30 November, gutter guards, pre-winter inspections and fallen-limb damage.

Roof replacement, step by step

The roof replacement page sets out six steps:

1. Inspection. The crew checks decking, flashing, ventilation and structure, with photos and measurements. The company says that if a repair makes more sense, it will say so.
2. Written estimate. An itemized estimate breaks down materials, labor, permits and any extra work, and goes through material and color choices.
3. Tear-off. Landscaping, siding and windows are protected, then the old roof comes off down to the deck so the wood can be checked for rot. Damaged decking is replaced before new materials go on.
4. Installation. Ice and water shield in valleys and along eaves, synthetic underlayment over the whole roof, drip edge and flashing, starter shingles, field shingles, ridge caps and ventilation, installed to the manufacturer's warranty requirements.
5. Cleanup. Magnetic sweepers go over the yard, driveway and beds for stray nails, and debris is hauled away.
6. Walkthrough. A final walk of the roof with you, plus paperwork for warranty registration and any permit close-out with the City of Columbia or Richland County.

The page lists signs that point toward replacement rather than repair: an asphalt roof 20 or more years old, leaks in several places, widespread curling or cracking, sagging, granules collecting in gutters, and widespread hail or hurricane damage. The site says you can stay home during the work (it will be noisy) and suggests keeping pets inside and moving cars away from the house. Ask the company for a timeline for your own roof before work starts.

Roof repair and emergency leaks

The repair page covers the problems the company says it sees most in the Columbia area: leaks (whose source is often not directly above the stain), wind-damaged or missing shingles, failed flashing around chimneys, skylights and walls, cracked rubber boots around plumbing vents, blown-off ridge caps, and rotted soffit or fascia. The site says it keeps common shingle styles in stock so repairs can match the existing roof.

Its rough guide to repair versus replacement: a repair usually makes sense when damage covers less than about a quarter of the roof, the roof is under 15 years old and the rest of the shingles are sound; replacement makes sense on roofs 20 or more years old, with widespread or repeated damage, or with soft or rotted decking. It says it gives an honest recommendation at the inspection.

For emergencies, such as a limb through the roof or an active leak, the company offers tarping and temporary covers to stop water getting in, then schedules the permanent repair. Its emergency page suggests staying off the roof, catching water inside, and photographing damage if it is safe. How quickly a crew can come out depends on demand, especially after a big storm, so call (803) 734-3700 and ask.

The site says all repair work carries its workmanship warranty, with terms that depend on the type of repair.

Storm damage and insurance claims

Storm work is a large part of what the company does. On its storm and insurance pages it describes this sequence:

1. Free storm inspection. Including whether the damage is worth claiming at all. The company says its guidance includes "when to and not to file."
2. Documentation. Dated photos and a written scope of the damage for your insurer.
3. Adjuster meeting. A Cola City roofer can meet your insurance adjuster on site so both are looking at the same evidence.
4. Approved work. Once the insurer approves the claim, the company does the repair or replacement it approved.

The process page is plain about the limits: "What an insurer decides is their call, not ours." The financing page adds that insurance covers sudden storm damage, not age or wear, that you still owe your deductible, and that upgrades beyond the approved scope are yours to pay.

South Carolina rules worth knowing. The company's own contractor guide summarizes them, and the state code confirms: under S.C. Code §40-59-25, if your roofing contract depends on insurance, you can cancel it by midnight on the fifth business day after you receive a written denial from your insurer; a contractor may not represent you or negotiate your claim on your behalf (a licensed public adjuster can); and a contractor may not promise to pay or rebate any part of your deductible. A roofer offering to "cover your deductible" is a warning sign, and the company's own claims guide says so.

This guide is not legal or insurance advice. For coverage questions, read your policy and talk to your insurer, agent or a licensed public adjuster.

Gutter installation and repair

The company's main gutter product is seamless aluminum, fabricated on site from a continuous roll and cut to the length of each run. It also installs copper, vinyl and galvanized steel gutters, in 5-inch and 6-inch K-style and half-round profiles, and says aluminum comes in more than 25 colors.

Its published installation process: measure the roofline and check the fascia for rot; make the gutters on site; hang them with hidden hangers about every 24 inches with roughly a quarter inch of fall per 10 feet; place and route downspouts away from the foundation; then run water through the system and walk you through it. Gutter guard options include micro-mesh screens, reverse-curve (surface tension) guards and basic screens.

Gutter repairs cover sagging gutters, leaking seams and joints, overflow, damaged downspouts and failed hangers. The site recommends checking gutters each spring and fall and after major storms during hurricane season (June through November).

The site gives these lifespans as typical: seamless aluminum 20 to 30 years, copper 50 or more, and vinyl 10 to 15 in the South Carolina climate.

Soft wash roof cleaning

Soft washing cleans a roof with low-pressure water (the site says under 100 PSI) and a biodegradable cleaning solution that kills algae, moss, mold and lichen, rather than blasting it off with a pressure washer. The company says it uses only the soft wash method, because high pressure strips the protective granules from shingles and can affect the shingle warranty. It pre-wets landscaping and rinses afterwards, and suggests keeping pets inside during the cleaning and for about an hour after.

The black streaks common on Midlands roofs are an algae called Gloeocapsa magma. The site recommends cleaning every two to three years in this climate, sooner on shaded roofs.

Shingles and metal: what it installs

Asphalt shingles. The company says it focuses on three manufacturers, GAF, Owens Corning and CertainTeed, and names the GAF Timberline HDZ, Owens Corning Duration and CertainTeed Landmark lines on its replacement page. It installs three tiers: three-tab (the economy option), architectural or dimensional (the current standard) and luxury or designer shingles that imitate slate or shake. Its asphalt page notes that the manufacturer matters less than whether the roof is installed to that manufacturer's specification, since that is what material warranties are written against.

Metal. It installs standing seam (concealed fasteners), metal shingles and exposed-fastener panels. The site describes exposed-fastener metal as suited to barns, workshops and budget projects, with screws that may need re-sealing every 10 to 15 years. Copper is offered for accent work.

Low-slope and commercial. TPO, EPDM, PVC, modified bitumen and built-up roofing, plus silicone, acrylic and elastomeric coatings for restoring existing commercial roofs.

The site also has pages on historic homes, new construction and lake homes.

Commercial, church and multi-family roofing

Commercial and industrial. The company works for business owners, property managers, HOAs and facility owners: offices, retail, restaurants, medical offices, daycares, warehouses and manufacturing buildings. It says it can phase work and use after-hours or weekend crews to keep a business running, and offers maintenance programs with twice-yearly inspections, drain and seam checks and minor repairs. Its most recent commercial project on the site is a shingle roof replacement on a professional office building in Irmo.

Churches. A dedicated page covers steep slopes, steeples, bell towers and cupolas, flat-roofed fellowship halls, and working with church boards: written proposals, presentation-ready material for committees, phased schedules and working around services. The projects page includes a church roof replacement in Midtown Columbia.

Multi-family and HOA. For apartments, townhomes and HOA communities, the site describes phased projects spread over two or more budget cycles, color matching and architectural-guideline compliance, and a maintenance program with annual inspections and photo reports, priority scheduling for emergency repairs, volume pricing, gutter cleaning and post-storm assessments.

The standard financing program is for homeowners; the company says it handles payment arrangements for commercial and multi-family work case by case.

How much does Cola City Roofing cost?

Unlike many roofers, Cola City Roofing publishes typical price ranges for the Columbia market on its service pages. These are the company's own general ranges, not quotes. Your price is set only after an inspection, in a written proposal.

What pushes a roof price up, according to the replacement page: a steep pitch, more than one layer of old shingles to remove, damaged decking, complex roofs with many hips, valleys and dormers, and ventilation or insulation upgrades.

Worked example. On the published ranges, a homeowner with an average-size house replacing an aging three-tab roof with architectural shingles and adding new 5-inch seamless gutters (say 180 feet) would be looking at roughly $8,000 to $15,000 for the roof and around $1,080 to $2,160 for the gutter runs before downspouts, so somewhere above $9,000 in total. Only an inspection can tell you whether decking needs replacing, which is the most common reason a final price moves.

Paying. The site does not publish its accepted payment methods or deposit terms. Its FAQ page says a deposit and staged payments against progress are normal and full payment before work starts is not, and that the payment schedule should be in the contract. Ask for that schedule in writing.

Financing and discounts

Cola City Roofing offers financing through Service Finance Company. You fill in a short pre-application on its site (name, contact details, address and estimated project amount), and it hands you to the lender's secure application. The company publishes these terms:

• Repayment terms of 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months.
• Most options available for projects from $1,000.
• No prepayment penalties on its financing plans.
• Pre-qualification typically uses a soft credit pull; a hard inquiry happens only when you accept an offer.
• Options for a range of credit profiles. You'll typically need proof of homeownership, ID and income verification.
• Replacements, repairs, storm work, gutters and gutter guards can all be financed. After an approved insurance claim, financing can cover your deductible and any upgrades the adjuster did not include.

Rates, terms and approval are set by the lender and depend on your credit, as the site notes. Compare the APR and total cost with any other credit you could use.

Hero Roofing Program. The company offers a discount on roof repairs and replacements to veterans, active military, first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs) and educators. To claim it, mention your service when you book the free inspection and the company verifies eligibility. The site says the discount can be combined with financing. The amount of the discount is not published.

Where it works, and how to reach it

The office is at 1314 Pulaski St, Columbia, SC 29201. Phone (803) 734-3700, email toddh@colacityroofing.com, or use the estimate form on any page. Business hours are not published on the site; call to check.

The service-locations page lists these towns: Aiken, Batesburg-Leesville, Blythewood, Camden, Cayce, Chapin, Chester, Clover, Columbia, Elgin, Forest Acres, Fort Mill, Gilbert, Irmo, Lake Murray, Lancaster, Lexington, Lugoff, Newberry, North Augusta, Orangeburg, Rock Hill, Saluda, St. Matthews, Sumter, Tega Cay, West Columbia, Winnsboro and York. It names nine counties: Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Newberry, Orangeburg, Aiken, Chester, Lancaster and York.

The same page shows where its photographed jobs are, which is a fair guide to where it works most: Columbia (26), Lexington (5), Orangeburg and Forest Acres (4 each), West Columbia, Blythewood, Aiken and Harbison (3 each), and single jobs in places such as Irmo, Cayce, Lugoff, Camden, Sumter and Winnsboro.

Warranties, permits and paperwork

• Two warranties. The company says a new roof carries the manufacturer's warranty on the material and its own workmanship warranty on the installation. Its warranties guide explains the split: the manufacturer covers a defective product, and the workmanship warranty covers installation mistakes such as an overdriven nail or badly fitted flashing. The length of the workmanship warranty is not published. Get it in writing in your contract.
• Warranty terms live in the contract. The terms of service say warranties for roofing work are set out only in the written work agreement or manufacturer documentation, and that a signed work agreement overrides the website terms for that project.
• Permits. The site says roof replacements in Columbia and Richland County need a building permit and that the company pulls it, schedules inspections and closes it out. Lexington permits go through the Town of Lexington or Lexington County.
• Insurance-dependent contracts. South Carolina's five-business-day cancellation right after a written claim denial applies (see above).
• Online estimates. Instant Estimate figures and published price ranges are non-binding.
• Satisfaction. The home page promises a "100% satisfaction guarantee" and says a job isn't done until you're happy. Ask how that works in practice and whether it appears in your contract.
• Disputes. The website terms are governed by South Carolina law, with Richland County courts.

How it compares with other options

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

Questions to ask before you hire

1. What is your SC Residential Builders Commission registration number, and can I see your certificate of liability and workers' compensation insurance?
2. How long is your workmanship warranty, what does it cover, and is it written into my contract?
3. Which manufacturer warranty tier comes with the shingles you're quoting, and do you register it for me?
4. Is decking replacement priced per sheet in the estimate, and how many sheets are included?
5. What is the payment schedule and deposit, and which payment methods do you accept?
6. Who will be on site day to day, and who do I call if there's a problem?
7. If this is an insurance job, what happens if the claim is denied, and how will you document the damage?
8. How much is the Hero Program discount, and does it apply to my job?
9. When can you start, and how long do you expect the job to take on my roof?

How to get started

1. For a rough number first, use the Instant Estimate button on the home page to trace your roof online.
2. Book a free inspection by calling (803) 734-3700 or using the form on the contact page. Mention the Hero Program if you qualify.
3. After a storm, photograph the damage if it's safe, note the date, and ask about tarping if water is getting in.
4. Review the itemized written proposal, and ask the questions above before you sign.
5. If you need to finance, start the financing pre-application or ask when the company calls to schedule.

Visit Cola City Roofing

Terms you'll see on the site

• Architectural shingles: also called dimensional or laminate shingles; two or more bonded layers give a textured look. The current standard for homes.
• Three-tab shingles: flat, single-layer shingles; the most basic asphalt option.
• Decking: the wood sheathing under the shingles. Rotted decking is replaced during a tear-off.
• Underlayment / ice and water shield: the water-resistant layers under the shingles; ice and water shield goes in valleys and along eaves.
• Flashing: metal that seals joints around chimneys, skylights, vents and walls.
• Vent (pipe) boot: the rubber collar around a plumbing vent pipe; a common leak source.
• Drip edge: metal trim along the roof edge that directs water into the gutter.
• Standing seam: metal roofing with raised, interlocking seams and hidden fasteners.
• Soft wash: low-pressure roof cleaning with a cleaning solution instead of pressure.
• K-style / half-round: gutter profiles; K-style has a flat back and decorative front, half-round is curved.
• Workmanship warranty: the contractor's own warranty on the installation, separate from the manufacturer's material warranty.
• Adjuster: the person your insurer sends to assess a claim. A public adjuster is a licensed professional you can hire to represent you.
• Supplement: a request to the insurer to add damage or items to an approved claim.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

All pages checked on 19 October 2026.

1. Cola City Roofing, home page: colacityroofing.com
2. About us: colacityroofing.com/about-us/
3. Our team: colacityroofing.com/team/, and bios of Todd Heffner, Bob McDaniel, Donny Taylor, Jason M. Kell, Samantha McDaniel
4. Our process: colacityroofing.com/our-process/
5. Contact: colacityroofing.com/contact-us/
6. Services: services hub, roof replacement, roof repair, emergency roof repair, storm damage, insurance claims
7. Gutters and cleaning: gutter installation, gutter repair, soft wash roof cleaning
8. Materials: asphalt shingle roofing, metal roofing, historic homes, new construction
9. Commercial: commercial and industrial, commercial shingle, church roofing, multi-family roofing
10. Financing: colacityroofing.com/financing/
11. Hero Roofing Program: program article
12. Testimonials: colacityroofing.com/testimonials/
13. Projects: colacityroofing.com/projects-before-and-afters/
14. Service locations: colacityroofing.com/service-locations/ and Columbia page
15. Questions and answers: colacityroofing.com/questions-and-answers/
16. Guides: guide hub, roofing contractor guide, roofing warranties guide, roof insurance claims guide
17. Terms of service: colacityroofing.com/terms-of-service/
18. Better Business Bureau profile: bbb.org
19. South Carolina Code, Title 40 Chapter 59 (§40-59-20, §40-59-25): scstatehouse.gov