Cedar shakes are rare in NM — and expensive to get wrong. Wildfire-zone treatment status, split-density mapping, and remaining-life scoring by slope exposure. I catch the two things that kill NM cedar roofs early: UV cupping and lapsed Class A fire treatment that gets you non-renewed by your carrier.
Split, cup, curl, and cracked-keyway mapping per slope
Class A fire treatment verification and re-cert timeline
WUI wildfire-zone compliance check for your carrier and jurisdiction
Moss, lichen, and biological growth removal vs replace scoring
Underlayment and interlayment condition (30# felt vs modern synthetic)
Written scope: spot repair, overlay, or full tear-off with fire-rated alternative
Full cedar shake walk with slope-by-slope split-density mapping. Class A fire-treatment verification (documentation review + field indicators) and re-certification timeline. WUI wildfire-zone compliance check against your jurisdiction and carrier requirements. UV weathering, cupping, curling, and moss/lichen scoring per exposure. 30# felt or synthetic interlayment condition at keyways. Valley, ridge, and step-flashing audit — copper vs galvanized age scoring. Written scope: shake replacement, full re-roof with cedar, or conversion to fire-rated alternative (asphalt, metal, composite shake).
NM homeowners with existing cedar shake roofs in Sandia foothills, Placitas, Tijeras, and Santa Fe. Buyers under contract on cedar-roofed homes needing WUI compliance clarity. Owners recently non-renewed by carrier over roof material. Historic-home owners preserving original cedar rather than converting. Owners planning conversion to fire-rated alternative and needing scope comparison.
Verbal Walk — $149 Standard Cedar Report — $429 Detailed w/ Treatment Verification + WUI Compliance — $699 Carrier Non-Renewal Appeal Package — $349 add-on Most cedar inspections are $429–$699. Catching lapsed Class A treatment before non-renewal saves the $2,000–$4,500 forced conversion premium.
Untreated cedar is banned in most WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) overlays. Class A pressure-treated shakes are allowed but must be re-certified; treatments wash out at year 10–15. I check treatment status and flag WUI compliance risk before your carrier non-renews you.
Depends on the pattern. Random splits under 3 per square is normal weathering; splits at every keyway or wholesale cupping means the field is done. I map split density per slope so you know if you're at repair, overlay, or full tear-off.
25–30 years for premium hand-split, 18–22 for tapersawn — but NM's UV shortens both by 3–5 years vs coastal averages. I score remaining life against your specific exposure (south-facing loses fastest).
Tarp placement + permanent repair scope.
Signed 2/3/5-year cert for lenders & insurers.
FLIR moisture scan + core verification.
Vigas, canales, parapet caps — NM specialty.
I've watched too many neighbors sign contracts they didn't understand for roofs they didn't need. That stops with a written report they own.