Buying a roof is expensive. The cost nationally to replace a roof is almost eight thousand dollars. Most homeowners end up spending somewhere between five and ten thousand dollars when they must replace their roof. The good news is that the cost is going to depend a lot on where you live, the materials being used, and if you have other work that needs to be done beyond just replacing the roof. As you can see, replacing your roof can be expensive. Most individuals are not going to want to pay the money to have their roof replaced. Spending the money can help when you know what you are paying for and know how to get the best deal. Here is what you need to know about having a roof replaced and some information about how to get the best deal.
Is a Roof Replacement Needed?
Having an inspection done is the best way for you to know for sure if you need to have the roof replaced. Other than having an inspection, there are signs you can keep an eye out for. If the roof is over twenty years old, then you should probably have an inspection done. Another sign a replacement may be needed is if the edges of the shingle are cracked or curled. The roof may be spotted with some parts being darker than others. If most of the granules are missing from your shingles, or there is a build-up of shingles in the gutters, you may need a replacement. If you are inside the home and notice holes in the material, an inspection to determine if a repair or replacement is needed is a good idea. Finally, if you notice water damage to the attic or ceilings or you notice parts of your roof are sagging; you should have an inspection completed. There are times that the material may appear like it needs replacing when it is fine, it is just aging. This is where having an inspection completed comes in handy because it can tell you the difference in whether you need a repair or replacement and give you an estimate on how long your roof is going to last. If you indeed need a new roof, then Newroofplus.com is the place to get it!
Inspection
Do not underestimate the power of a good inspection. It can be hard to figure out what is wrong with your roof A storm may come through and blow tiles off or the roof may be leaking. These observations that you are seeing on the surface are typically on a small piece to a larger problem. If you hire a roof inspector, they can perform the inspection and tell you what needs to be fixed. It can be the difference in paying for an unneeded roof and purchasing a smaller repair. Companies can make the assessment, but if you hire an outside person to do the inspection it can provide you with peace of mind that they have nothing to gain or lose by giving an honest assessment.
Warranty
When you first purchase a home, it is important to check the warranty status of the existing roof. You may get lucky and find that the roof on the home is still under warranty. There are times that you will be provided with information about any warranties when you buy the home. If you did not receive this information upfront, you can try to contact the people you bought the home from or look up repair records. If the home is new, there are times the roof could have the same type of warranty that comes with a new home. You can find guidelines on these warranties through the federal trade commission. You should also look at the bylaws in your local area by the housing association. You might find that it is the housing associations' responsibility to replace your roof, not yours.
To Repair or Replace?
If you realize that you do not have a warranty and that you are responsible for the repair, then it is time to decide on whether a repair or replacement is needed. You can do this by figuring up how much longer your roof has left until it is not good anymore. If there is still a good ten to fifteen years left in your roof’s lifespan and the cost of repairs are relatively inexpensive; repair over replacement may be the best option. Make sure that you compare this with the cost of replacing and the length of time your roof will be in working order. You do not want to put a temporary fix on a larger problem that needs replacing. This can lead to you spending more money down the road.
Find More Than One Quote
Do not just hire the first business that you find on google. This is a major mistake. Get quotes from more than one company. If you decide to have an inspection done, ask the inspector to recommend roofing contractors for you. You can also ask relatives, friends, and neighbors that live in your local area. There is no comparison to getting recommendations from the people that you trust most. If they have had someone work on their roof, they can show you the work that has been completed by the professionals they are recommending you use. Local roofing providers can also be found online through directories on national sites. Websites such as Angie’s List can be a good resource. They can not only help you compare prices but can offer advice on different approaches you can use to tackle your project.
Figure Out Financing
It is expensive to purchase a new roof. It is not unusual for you to not have the cash on hand to pay for the roof. Many roofing companies provide financing options. Whether they partner with a financial institution or provide in-house options; many have something available. Other options include using a credit card or paying cash. There are alternatives, such as FHA and home equity loans, that can be found on the Home Advancement website. States also provide incentives for roofing that is energy efficient.
Planning
Do not procrastinate when it comes to planning out your roofing job. You want to have a plan in place for how to address this expense before you are faced with it. Hopefully, there was an inspection done when you purchased your home. If there was, you have warranty information on the roof. If you do not, you should consider having the roof inspected. With the information in hand, you should have a good idea about how much life is left in your roof. This will allow you to properly develop a plan to replace it if needed and develop a plan on saving money for the project.
What Materials are Right for You?
Do not assume that you must replace the existing roof with the same type of roofing materials. Sit down and figure out what roofing material is going to be the most efficient in your area. There are numerous incentives available on federal, local, and state levels for homeowners that opt for roofing that is more energy-efficient. You can find information oat the Energy.gov website and options available in your area. There are times you may even qualify for other incentives and tax breaks by installing solar panels with your roof.
How Long Will It Take?
Replacing a roof can seem overwhelming. You may wonder if it is going to take forever. The job seems long and complicated to undertake. The truth is however, most roof replacements can be done in a few days. You also want to know if you are going to have access to your home while the workers are completing the replacement. There is going to be a lot of noise while the professionals are working, and it is probably a good idea to keep the kids away from the outside of the house while work is taking place. However, construction does not typically come inside the home.
How Long is this Going to Last?
Another good question is how long will the roof last for. The lifespan of the new roof is dependent on two factors. The first is the materials that you select. If you choose tile, slate, or copper your roof can easily have a life span of fifty or more years. If you select fiber cement shingles, you are looking at a lifespan of around twenty-five years and with asphalt shingles, you are looking at around twenty years. The climate in your area is also going to play a part in the lifespan of your roof, especially if you live in an area where your roof will be exposed to harsh weather conditions.
There are things you can do to increase the lifespan of your roof. The first is ensuring the attic is ventilated correctly so that the plywood supporting the roof does not rot. If the bathroom fan vents straight to the attic, for example, this can lead to a damp environment that increases the rate that your roof deteriorates. Cleaning your gutters helps extend the lifespan of your roof by preventing a buildup of water. If limbs are touching the roof; cutting them away from the roof can also help increase the roof’s lifespan.
