Roof Replacements

Written by No Doubt Marketing

Roof replacement is one of the most expensive single home improvement projects you can undertake. Since the labor in a roof replacement can cost much more than the materials, some homeowners logically decide that doing it themselves would be more economical. And while it does save on labor costs, there are a number of reasons while someone without extensive experience should not try to replace roof shingles or any other part of the roofing materials.

On a very low-pitch surface, a homeowner may be able to follow instructions and successfully replace a few shingles. But the inherent dangers of being on the roof should be enough to discourage most from attempting more involved repairs or roof replacement. No one inexperienced should climb a ladder and attempt to walk on a roof for safety reasons.

But when it comes to roof replacement, there's not just the danger of injury but the danger of doing it incorrectly. This can not only require further repairs but can result in serious damage to both the roof and the rest of the home like the ceiling and the walls. Trying to save money on your roof replacement cost by doing it yourself doesn't just put you at risk, but may end up costing you more in repairs later on.

You also should consider the labor that you'd be putting in, and the time it will take. If you're doing it yourself, a roof replacement will take several days at best. What about the weather and the chances of rain in that time? Roofing professionals have whole teams that cut the work down substantially and minimize that risk.

There is some roof replacement terminology that can help you understand a roofing contractor when you have one inspect and give you an estimate. While many projects are measured in square feet, when a roofing contractor talks about a "square" he's referring to an area of 100 square feet. He knows how many of the shingles you want it takes to do a square and will calculate from that.

Roof replacement cost will depend a great deal on the state of your current roof. If there is only one layer of shingles that are in good condition, you can have another layer placed on top of those. Some areas even allow three layers. If you can do this, it can greatly lower your cost. But tearing the old roof off down to the wood and starting fresh is the ideal method of roof replacement.

In this situation, even with the least expensive three-tab asphalt shingles, a home with about 1,500 square feet will almost always cost at least $5,000 for a roof replacement. That cost could be more if there are spots of weak, cracked or rotten wood that need to be replaced. If you've had an extensive leak or even a small one that lasted a long time, to replace roof materials properly new wood will probably have to be added. This insures that your roof replacement is sound and will last for years.

Ready to find roof replacement for your home? Use BuyerZone's free request for roof replacement price quotes, and we'll match you to multiple contractors in your area.