Emergency roof tarping after a tornado, strong wind or heavy hail usually costs $275 to $750 in Central Arkansas. Size of the damaged area, roof pitch, height and whether a tree has to be removed first change the price. Homeowners insurance often reimburses reasonable tarping after covered storm damage.
Emergency tarp prices
| Situation | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Small to medium storm damage area | $275 to $750 |
| Large area, steep or two-story roof | Quoted on site |
| Tree or limb on the roof | Tree service first, then tarping |
Central Arkansas ranges from published local roofing cost guides (2025 and 2026). Not quotes.
What you are paying for
- A heavy-duty tarp sized to cover the damage plus several feet on every side
- Wood battens screwed through the tarp edges so wind cannot pull it off
- Running the tarp over the ridge when possible so water cannot get under it
- Photos of the damage and the tarp for your insurance claim
Will insurance pay for the tarp?
Most homeowners policies require you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage after a storm, and tarping is one of them. When the damage came from a covered event like wind, hail or a falling tree, the cost of the tarp is often reimbursed as part of the claim. Keep the receipt and photos. See roof insurance claim help.
Why a cheap tarp can cost more
A tarp nailed straight through the plastic, or one that stops halfway up the slope, often leaks or blows off in the next storm. Pine Bluff has logged 122 damaging wind reports since 2005 (NOAA), and spring storms often come back to back. A tarp that fails lets water back in, and that damage may not be covered because the first repair was inadequate. Read how long a tarp can stay on a roof.
Need one now? See emergency roof tarping.
How much does insurance pay to tarp a roof?
When damage comes from a covered event, many insurers reimburse the reasonable cost of emergency tarping as part of the claim. How much depends on your policy and the invoice. Keep the receipt and before and after photos.
Will a tarp stop a roof leak?
A properly installed tarp stops most water until the permanent repair. It works best when it covers the damage by several feet on every side and runs over the ridge. A tarp that stops partway up the roof lets water run underneath.
What does a tarp cost compared to a permanent repair?
A tarp is a temporary cost on top of the repair, not instead of it. If the roof is dry and the damage is small, it can be cheaper to make the permanent repair the same day and skip the tarp altogether.
Who pays for the tarp if a neighbor’s tree hit my roof?
Usually your own homeowners insurance handles damage to your house, even from a neighbor’s tree, unless the tree was clearly dead and the neighbor was negligent. Your insurer may then seek repayment from theirs. Ask your agent.
How fast can a tarp be installed?
We tarp the same day for calls during working hours in Pine Bluff, when it is safe to be on the roof.
Is the tarp cost credited toward the repair?
Tarping is a separate job, but it is often reimbursed by insurance after covered storm damage.
Can I buy a tarp and do it myself?
For a small, low, dry roof, maybe. Falls from wet roofs are a common injury after storms. Never go up during a storm.
How long can the tarp stay on?
A good tarp can hold for several weeks, but get the permanent repair done as soon as you can.