Replacing your roof may not be as expensive as you might expect. It’s true that a roof replacement is always going to be a significant investment. But it isn’t really a “you get what you pay for situation”, so there are plenty of ways to be budget-conscious in your roof replacement without sacrificing quality.
The Different Options Available When Replacing Your Roof
One reason why replacing your roof may not be as expensive as you think is that you may not need to remove the roof trusses and other integral structural elements. Instead, you may only require a more minor and affordable roof replacement.
Before you assume that your whole roof has to be replaced, ask your roofing company if it’s possible that more minor repairs can be done. An honest, reputable roofing contractor will NOT try and sell you a fully new roof if only minor repairs are needed and the roof is otherwise in good shape. However, there are times when you simply must replace the entire roof.
Affordable to Expensive Roof Replacement Options
The simplest and cheapest form of roof replacement is laying a new shingle roof on top of an existing layer. This is really only an option if the structural membrane of the roof is intact and the only issue you’re facing is aged shingles. This can only realistically be done once on a shingle roof before the entire thing needs to be removed and replaced. Complicating the matter is that some jurisdictions forbid this option because it so often covers up leaks that end up damaging the structure of the home. Yet this option remains popular because it is the fastest, cheapest option. It’s not really the best value, though, and many roofers will refuse to offer this option for many reasons. You’ll want to consider that this option is not likely to last as long as some of the other possibilities, so although this will refresh the top layer of your roof, it isn’t really something you can rely on for the long term in the way that a full roof replacement would be.
The next most expensive roofing replacement option is tearing off the previous roofing and replacing it entirely. Some people are afraid this will take a long time, but experienced roofing contractors can finish the work in a day or two. The biggest factor involved after labor is material. Removal and replacement is the best choice for those who want to replace their cheap asphalt shingle roof with shingles that will last decades, a stylish wood shingle roof or a metal roof. This process may involve repairing or replacing the PVC or TPO membrane underneath the shingles, too. This option completely resets the life of your roof and creates a structurally sound roof that you can count on for decades.
The most expensive roof replacement is when you’re essentially taking the entire top off the house and replacing it. When you have to remove rotted or warped structural supports or simply want to replace them with metal supports that will withstand the next hurricane, this gives you the most comprehensive roof replacement possible. These larger jobs take more time and require a greater degree of skilled labor. However, it’s important to note that many homes will NEVER require this level of roof replacement – if the underlying structure is sound, replacing the roof deck and overlaid roofing materials is generally sufficient. If you’ve got structural roof damage, though, you may require this option.
Safe Tips for Saving Money on the Cost of Your New Roof
It’s possible that you may pay more for a new roof after a major storm, because demand for the limited skilled labor available in the area is so high. You could save a lot of money by having your roof replaced during the off-season. The busy season is always between late spring and early fall. Have the work done when it is cold, and the roofing contractors will give you a discount because demand is so low. You may even see the work done faster because they dedicate their whole team to doing it in one day because there is nothing else to do.
Having your whole roof replaced, rather than having repairs handled in a patchwork style can also save you money on your roof over time. Although it can seem like an attractive option to deal with smaller repairs one at a time, they may require more ongoing maintenance, and you will want to discuss with your roof repair company whether it might be a better investment to get the full roof replacement done sooner rather than later.
You may be able to save money by paying your roofing company by check rather than by credit card, or by paying in cash. If you pay in cash, make sure to get a receipt for the payment as well as documentation as to what the cash payment is meant to cover – otherwise, you could be left in a situation where you have no proof that you’ve paid or you receive an unexpected bill for something you already thought was paid for.
Hire a local company that gets most of their business by referral or word of mouth, rather than with big advertising campaigns. These businesses don’t need to advertise very much because their business is already busy with people who have worked with them before or been referred by friends or family members. Ask your contractor if they have any leftover materials from previous jobs that they could safely use on your roof – if they can order less material, you may be able to save if you aren’t picky about the exact look you’ll end up with.
Cost Saving Methods that Hurt You Long-Term
Do not hire a contractor who isn’t licensed and bonded on their promise that this saves them money. If they screw up and leave your home with structural damage, you can’t sue them and win compensation from their insurer to pay for the massive repair bill. If they can’t get insurance, this can be a red flag because they may have already had many claims against them. If they lost their contractor’s license, it may be due to shoddy work, shoddy business practices or too many complaints against them. You may also be on the hook, legally speaking, if your contractor is injured while working on your home – they should have insurance to cover that, in order to protect you both.
Do not pay a roofing contractor in cash without a receipt or contract, because they may not record the payment. Never work with a roofing contractor who asks for most or all of the payment for the job up front in cash – this lets them take the money and leave, and you may have trouble holding them accountable for the work.
Be very careful with someone who quotes a price for labor and materials but says they may charge more for “extras” or “additional expenses”. And never sign a contract that doesn’t have the scope of work and expected price tag spelled out.
It’s important to remember that you can pay a lot for a mediocre roof replacement, or you can get an excellent deal on a great one. Working with the right company will help you a lot in this regard – work with a local company with a great reputation and a desire to keep their prices affordable. Be flexible in the timeline and materials for your work, and be honest with your contractor that the budget is a major consideration for you – they may have their own suggestions on how to keep costs down. If you can keep your focus on getting a great VALUE instead of paying a low PRICE, you’ll be well on your way to getting exactly what you need for your home without breaking the bank.