Perhaps your roof is leaking, sagging, or aging, or your shingles are cracking and splitting. A roof replacement is looming in the shadows, but you have millions of questions. Do you need your roof replaced? How much does roof replacement cost? Can you DIY this project? We’ll answer these questions and more.
We at Viking Contractors have years of industry experience and professional knowledge in roof restoration and replacement.
Do You Need a Roof Replacement?
A professional roofing contractor can help answer that question by inspecting your roof. They can determine if you need replacement or repair. But until they do, you can look for the following signs:
- A 20-year-old roof or more (although the exact life span relies on the roofing material, weather conditions, and more).
- Damaged shingles, whether they’re brittle, curling, or cracked
- Missing shingles
- Leakage
- Bold spots
- Granules in downspouts
- Moss, algae, and lichen growth
- Sagging roofs
- Water pooling
- Leaks in the attic
- Water stains on the ceiling
- Mildew and mold growth in the home’s interior
Professional vs. DIY Roof Replacement
Replacing your roof is an advanced DIY project. We wouldn’t recommend it unless you have extensive experience using power tools and are comfortable on a ladder. Naturally, it’ll help you save on labor costs. And you can get to the job immediately rather than wait for a professional.
With that being said, DIY full roof replacement or even partial roof replacement isn’t recommended. You can probably take care of minor repairs, though.
As for a replacement, it isn’t very safe. You’ll be working on a ladder or a slanted roof, which involves a risk of slip accidents. Otherwise, professional roofers have the safety equipment to install your roof without injury.
If you don’t have any of the needed tools for roof replacement, you’ll need to buy or lease them. Of course, roofing professionals have these tools, including:
- Tear-off shovels
- Extension ladders
- Nail guns
- Air compressors
- Special equipment for steep roofs
Not to mention, you probably don’t have the experience needed to replace a roof. This lack of expertise can cause attic, eaves, and roof damage, requiring costly repairs or even re-roofing. A roofing company has fully trained workers. Their professional installation can extend its life span.
Then, there’s the logistics. Roofers abide by local building codes, which you might not be aware of. Also, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover your DIY project, but it’ll cover a professional job. Also, you won’t have a roof warranty to fall back on. We work with insurance companies closely to cover as much of the new roof costs as possible and ensure your warranty remains valid.
How Much Does Roof Replacement Cost?
Average costs for roof replacement range from $6,700 to $80,000, and the average cost is $11,500. That’s $4 to $40 per square foot and approximately $7 on average. So, where does this range come from? Roofing costs vary according to the following factors:
Roofing Materials
You’ll allocate 40% to 50% of roof replacement costs to your roofing material. They include several components, which are:
- Shingles, shakes, or tiles
- Drip edge
- Flashing
- Roof ridges
- Vents
- Underlayment
- Protective coating
Generally, the quality of the components plays into the overall cost, which is especially true for the roof material. Common roofing materials may be budget-friendly, like basic asphalt shingles or composite shingles, or pricey, like tile roofing (copper and zinc tiles), metal roofing, concrete tiles, and premium architectural shingles. Understanding how to select roof materials for your home is crucial.
Labor Costs
Labor accounts for 60% of your quote. You can expect to pay $2 to $7 per square footage. Of course, roofing contractors have their price ranges.
However, there’s also the complexity of the installation process to account for. Challenging jobs with limited accessibility and highly-slated roofs cost more than easy ones with accessible, flat roofs.
The project might involve roof repairs and the removal of existing shingles. Not to mention, some roofing materials are more difficult and costly to install than others.
Location
Your area and its cost of living dictate a pricing range. It also tells you about the weather conditions to which the roof will be exposed. Are severe weather, natural disasters, heavy rainfall, high winds, snow, and so on frequent? If so, it needs to withstand these conditions, which increases the overall roof installation cost.
For instance, can you get by with a basic asphalt shingle roof, or do you need metal roofs, which are corrosion-resistant and impermeable to water? Finally, permit prices differ across areas, ranging from $100 to $1,000.
Roof Size
Since the metric is the square foot or the roofing square, roof size matters; the house size and roofing slope and shape determine the number of roof shingles you need. Of course, the larger it is, the more expensive replacing a roof will be.
Additional Services
You have to add the cost of additional services to roof replacements. These services may be:
- Repairs
- Removal of old roofing
- Disposal of old roofing
- Handling roofing features, including chimneys, skylights, and so on
- Roof cleaning
- Underlayment repair
Final Thoughts
If you know what signs to look for, you may spot a roof replacement from a mile away. Unless it’s a minor issue, you should leave it to the professionals. This project may cost $11,500 on average, but the cost will vary according to several factors.
Your investment provides you with a high-quality roof, boosted curb appeal, and an extended lifespan. Furthermore, we can help you get your homeowner’s insurance policy to cover the expenses. Simply contact us at Viking Contractors, and get your roof replaced now!
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