Northeast OhioThe Exterior Desk
The Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse encased in ice on Lake Erie, under a heavy winter sky

Cuyahoga County, matching service

Cleveland

Free matching for roofing, siding, gutters, windows, and gutter cleaning in Cleveland.

The Exterior Desk is a matching service, not a contractor. If we have a local partner in your area, we recommend one. You decide whether to hire them. Free for homeowners.

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Jorgensen. Photograph of the Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse, 14 December 2010. Public domain (U.S. Coast Guard). Not a project we completed.

The Exterior Desk

Recommendation request

Step 1 of 6

What do you need help with?

The Exterior Desk is a free homeowner matching service for Cleveland and nearby Cuyahoga County neighborhoods. We are not a contractor. We recommend one local company for roofing, siding, gutters, or windows when we have someone who covers your area.

01

Weather and common wear

Cleveland sits on Lake Erie, so weather is not one-size-fits-all across the city. The east side and eastern suburbs take more lake-effect snow in many events; the lakefront sees wind-driven rain and spray; freeze-thaw cycles work on shingles, masonry, and flashings all winter. National Weather Service Cleveland, based in Brooklyn Heights, has already logged several notable 2026 severe-weather summaries for the forecast area, including large hail on April 15 (up to two inches in that write-up) and strong lakeshore wind at the end of March. If you had bruising, lifted shingles, or a leak after a storm, document it and talk to your insurer before you sign anything. We do not negotiate claims.

02

Housing stock

The housing stock is the other half of the story: pre-war Colonials and Cleveland doubles, brick and wood bungalows, postwar ranches farther out, and newer infill in some neighborhoods. Short eaves, older attics with limited ventilation, and mixed additions are common reasons ice dams and valley leaks show up on otherwise 'fine' roofs. Siding and window work on these houses often involves trim, flashing, and openings that a curb-side quote will miss.

03

Permits and registration

The City of Cleveland Department of Building and Housing registers contractors and issues permits for many exterior projects, including roof replacements. Ohio does not issue a statewide residential roofer license, so city registration, insurance, and the permit itself are the checks that matter here. The Exterior Desk does not pull permits and is not a registered Cleveland contractor. Ask any company you are matched with whether they are registered to work in the city and whether your project needs a permit.

04

How to request a match

If you are in Cleveland or a nearby neighborhood — Ohio City, Detroit-Shoreway, Glenville, Old Brooklyn, Lee-Harvard, West Park, and others — request a match with your ZIP and a short description of the work. We will try to introduce you to a partner who actually covers that part of the city.

FAQ

Questions, asked plainly

Can you recommend a contractor in Cleveland?

If we have someone who covers your ZIP in Cleveland, a person at the desk will recommend one local contractor for the trade you need. We do not sell your request to a list of companies. You are not obligated to hire anyone.

What should I know about the weather and housing in Cleveland?

Cleveland sits on Lake Erie, so weather is not one-size-fits-all across the city. The housing stock is the other half of the story: pre-war Colonials and Cleveland doubles, brick and wood bungalows, postwar ranches farther out, and newer infill in some neighborhoods.

Who handles permits in Cleveland?

The City of Cleveland Department of Building and Housing registers contractors and issues permits for many exterior projects, including roof replacements. Ohio does not issue a statewide residential roofer license, so city registration, insurance, and the permit itself are the checks that matter here. The Exterior Desk does not pull permits and is not a registered Cleveland contractor. Ask any company you are matched with whether they are registered to work in the city and whether your project needs a permit.

Can you help with an insurance claim?

Yes — there is a claim-help path on this site. We are not a law firm and not an insurance adjuster, and nothing on this site is legal advice.

The trades

Services in Cleveland

Roofingin ClevelandSidingin ClevelandGuttersin ClevelandWindowsin ClevelandGutter cleaningin Cleveland

Nearby

Nearby cities

LakewoodCuyahoga CountyCleveland HeightsCuyahoga CountyParmaCuyahoga CountyEuclidCuyahoga County

Need help with an insurance claim? See claim help. Or get a recommendation.