No matter whether you bought your home right after it was built or when it was 30 years old, home maintenance is an expense you will have to deal with at some time. If you stay in your home for quite a few years, roof replacement will be one of those expenses.
Although most people may think of roof replacement as being a terribly high expense, it does not have to be. The price you pay to replace your roof is determined by a number of factors, so there is a wide range of possibilities for final price.
First you will need to choose the type of roof you want to have. There are many different types of roofing. The most common, and the cheapest, is asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles typically cost about $20 a bundle, which covers about 33.3 square feet of roof. This price and coverage varies by shingle style, thickness, and length of warranty. Other roofing options, such as wood shakes, metal, and tile, cost more than asphalt shingles. Some roofing materials are not allowed in all areas, so check your local building code to determine what type of roof you may have before buying materials. If you plan to have your roof installed, also make sure there is a good installer in your area-metal roofing, for example, is a demanding job that not all roofers are qualified to do.
Next, you will need to shop around for labor. Always check any roofing company you consider using out with the Better Business Bureau and any licensing authorities in your state. Be especially wary of installers if you are replacing your roof due to storm damage. Unfortunately, many fly-by-night installers pop up in areas with such damage to scam residents who need roof replacement or other home repair jobs.
Get quotes from at least three reputable roofing companies. Bear in mind that your quotes will in part depend on your roof’s condition and the type of roofing you want installed. Make sure to give the same information to each company so that you are getting truly comparable quotes. Labor costs will vary greatly by area as well.
As a general rule, you should expect to pay a minimum of $5000 to get a roof replaced. In some areas and with some materials, this cost may jump to $20,000 or even more. When negotiating your roof replacement cost with your installer, ask if there are any ways you can save yourself money. For example, your installer may charge to deliver your roofing materials. If he buys his materials from a store that does not offer contractor discounts, such as Home Depot, ask if you can buy and pick up the shingles yourself to save the delivery fee. Even if you cannot pick them up yourself, the store may charge less for delivery than your installer does, so be sure to ask about that as well.
If you take the time to research your roofing material and labor options, you will save money not only on the actual roof installation, but in the future as well. Select a roof that will last a while and that will help insulate your home to cut down on your energy usage and therefore your bills.
