Can a Roofing Contractor Damage Your AC Unit?
Yes, roofing contractors can and do damage AC units during roof replacement or repair. Common damage includes crushed refrigerant lines, bent condenser fins, displaced roof-mounted units, severed electrical connections, and punctured ductwork. The roofing contractor is liable for damage they cause to your HVAC system. Document the damage immediately with photos and an independent HVAC technician's assessment, then pursue recovery through direct negotiation, small claims court, or your contractor's liability insurance.
Your roof replacement is finally complete. But when you turn on the air conditioning, nothing happens. Or worse—you notice a strange hissing sound, warm air blowing from the vents, or a pool of water forming where it shouldn't be. This scenario plays out thousands of times each year, and it raises an urgent question: did the roofing contractor damage your AC unit?
The short answer is that roofing work can absolutely cause damage to your HVAC system. The relationship between your roof and your air conditioning is more interconnected than most homeowners realize, and the physical work involved in tearing off and replacing a roof creates multiple opportunities for things to go wrong.
How Roofing Work Damages HVAC Systems
Understanding the specific ways roofing contractors can damage your AC unit helps you know what to look for and how to protect yourself.
Refrigerant Line Damage
Refrigerant lines—the copper tubes carrying coolant between the indoor evaporator and outdoor condenser—often run along or through the roof structure. During a tear-off, workers using shovels, pry bars, and nail guns can crush, kink, or puncture these lines. Even a small nick can cause a slow leak that depletes the system over days or weeks. A completely severed line renders the system immediately nonfunctional.
Typical repair: $500 – $2,000
Physical Damage to the Condenser Unit
Roofing debris—old shingles, nails, broken tiles, flashing—rains down around the perimeter of the house during a tear-off. If your outdoor condenser sits near the roofline, falling debris can bend condenser fins, crack the fan blade housing, damage the compressor, or dent the refrigerant coil. Workers may also lean ladders against the unit, drop tools onto it, or move it carelessly to access the roof edge.
Typical repair: $300 – $5,000+
Roof-Mounted HVAC Unit Displacement
In many Florida commercial buildings and some residential properties, the HVAC system is mounted directly on the roof. Roofers must work around these units, and improper handling can shift units off their curbs, separate ductwork connections, disconnect electrical and drain lines, and compromise flashing and waterproofing around the curb—creating water infiltration paths that may not appear until the next heavy rain.
Typical repair: $1,000 – $8,000+
Electrical Connection Damage
Wiring running through the attic space or along the roof deck can be nicked, severed, or disconnected during roofing work. This can cause total system failure, blown fuses, tripped breakers, or intermittent problems that are difficult to diagnose. Electrical damage may not be immediately apparent and can pose a fire hazard if wiring insulation is compromised.
Typical repair: $200 – $1,500
Ductwork and Attic Component Damage
Workers walking on the roof can compress or disconnect flexible ductwork in the attic below, particularly in older homes. Roof deck replacement can also disturb attic insulation, expose ducts to heat, or create gaps in the building envelope. In some cases, roofers leave test holes unplugged in elbows or duct runs, creating leaks that reduce system efficiency.
Typical repair: $150 – $1,000Who Is Liable When a Roofer Damages Your AC?
As a general rule, the roofing contractor is responsible for any damage they cause to your property during the course of their work. This liability exists regardless of whether the damage was intentional or accidental. Licensed roofing contractors are required to carry general liability insurance, which typically covers property damage caused during the project.
Important: Establishing liability requires proving that the roofer's work caused the damage. If your AC was functioning normally before the roofing work and failed immediately after, the causal connection is strong. But if the failure appears days or weeks later—as with slow refrigerant leaks—the contractor may dispute responsibility. This is why immediate documentation is critical.
What to Do If You Suspect Roofer-Caused HVAC Damage
Step 1: Stop Using the System
If you suspect damage, turn off your HVAC system immediately. Running a system with a refrigerant leak or electrical damage can cause compressor failure, transforming a $500 repair into a $3,000–$5,000 replacement.
Step 2: Document the Damage
Photograph and video the AC unit from every angle, including any visible physical damage, debris around the unit, and the condition of refrigerant lines and electrical connections. If you have pre-roofing photos of the unit's condition, gather those as well. Note the exact date and time you first noticed the problem relative to when roofing work was performed.
Step 3: Get an Independent HVAC Assessment
Hire a licensed HVAC technician who has no relationship with the roofing contractor to inspect and diagnose the problem. Ask them to provide a written report that identifies the specific damage, states whether it is consistent with roofing activity, estimates the cost of repair or replacement, and distinguishes between pre-existing wear and damage caused by external force. This independent assessment is your most powerful piece of evidence.
Step 4: Notify the Roofing Contractor in Writing
Send a written notice (certified mail or email with read receipt) that describes the damage, includes the HVAC technician's assessment, states the repair cost, and requests that they file a claim with their liability insurance or pay for the repairs directly. Many reputable contractors will address the issue when presented with clear evidence.
Step 5: Pursue Recovery if the Contractor Refuses
If the roofing contractor refuses to take responsibility, you can file a complaint with the DBPR (if they are a licensed Florida contractor), pursue the matter in small claims court for damages up to $8,000, or consult a construction or consumer protection attorney for larger amounts. Be cautious about deducting HVAC repair costs from any remaining balance owed to the roofer without their agreement—this can create a breach of contract claim against you.
Preventing AC Damage During Roof Replacement
Before roofing work begins: Walk the property with the roofing foreman and identify every HVAC component. Request plywood shielding over the outdoor condenser during tear-off. Photograph the HVAC system thoroughly to establish a baseline. For roof-mounted units, insist that the roofing contractor coordinate with your HVAC contractor to disconnect and move the unit before work begins. Include a damage responsibility clause in your roofing contract. Request and verify the roofer's certificate of insurance.
The Florida Factor: Why AC Damage Matters More Here
Florida's climate makes HVAC damage during roofing work particularly consequential. Air conditioning is not a luxury in Florida—it is a health and safety necessity for much of the year. A damaged AC system in July or August can create dangerous indoor temperatures within hours, especially for elderly residents, young children, and people with chronic health conditions. Florida's high humidity also means a non-functioning AC can lead to rapid mold growth inside the home, compounding damage and health risks.
Additionally, Florida's post-hurricane roofing boom creates conditions where rushed, overwhelmed, or unqualified roofing crews are more likely to cause collateral damage. When thousands of roofs need replacement simultaneously, quality control often suffers.
How DisputeVoice Can Help
If a roofing contractor damaged your AC unit and refuses to take responsibility, DisputeVoice helps you create a professionally written public report that documents the incident with factual detail, appears in search results when consumers research the contractor, creates reputational accountability that often motivates resolution, and provides a permanent public record supporting your consumer protection efforts.
Our editorial team ensures every report uses legally protective language, maintains factual accuracy, and operates within Section 230 protections.
Key Takeaways
- Roofing work commonly damages refrigerant lines, condensers, ductwork, and electrical connections
- The roofing contractor is generally liable for damage caused during their work
- Get an independent HVAC technician assessment as your primary evidence
- Notify the contractor in writing and request they use their liability insurance
- Prevent damage by covering units, photographing pre-work conditions, and coordinating contractors
- In Florida, AC damage carries elevated urgency due to extreme heat, humidity, and mold risk