What to Expect During Your Home’s Roof Replacement Project
Replacing your roof is an crucial part of maintaining your home. A damaged or improperly maintained roof can cause thousands and dollars in damage to other areas of the home. Repairs only go so far, and eventually it will be time for you to replace your roof entirely. Replacing your roof can appear to be a daunting task for initially homeowner. Choosing between a huge selection of professional roofing contractors may be confusing. Thankfully, the project of getting a new roof just isn’t too complicated, and it will help to know what to expect.
The first step in any roof replacement project is obtaining estimates and choosing a contractor. It’s a good idea to research several businesses. Make sure they have good reputations and are licensed in a state. Be sure to obtain estimates from several contractors before signing a contract, as roofing estimates can have a wide range. There are numerous factors that can influence the price of a roof replacement. It’s good to know a little about them before you get too involved.
The size and slope of the roof, the materials getting used, and the region of the nation can all affect the last cost of the project. A roof that is specially steep and slippery will definitely cost more to replace than a roof that is more easily accessible. The height of the roof matters as well. Roofs on two-story homes are more high priced to replace than roofs on ramblers or ranchers. This really is simply because it’s easier for the workers to access a roof that is closer to the floor. Also, like almost anything, prices vary depending on where you live. Roof replacements cost more in places where the general cost of living is higher. The frequency of roof replacements differs depending on the region of the county aswell. Roofs in the Midwest generally need to be replaced more frequently than roofs in the rest of the country due to extreme weather. Likewise, homeowners in Southern California replace their roofs less often considering that the weather is usually mild year-round.
There are several different types of roofs you’ll have installed. The materials can range in price anywhere from $1 to $40 or more per square foot. The most common roofing material is asphalt shingles. These are relatively inexpensive and therefore are usually guaranteed to last anywhere between 20 and 30 years. They come in may possibly different colors to compliment the exterior of your home. Another kind of roofing is wood shake, which usually costs $6 to $9 a square foot. These roofs are usually made from cedar and can last 12 to 25 years, nevertheless they require almost constant maintenance. Metal roofing such as copper or aluminum can cost $15-$20 a square foot. Tile roofs, such as terra cotta, are generally used in southwestern architecture and cost $6 to $9 a square foot. (Tiles are not recommended in areas with frequent rainfall, as they have a tendency to leak. ) A slate roof is the most durable, though it is also the most expensive, and will cost up to $40 a square foot ($120, 000 to replace a 3, 000 square foot roof). Slate is generally used on upscale homes and can last up to 200 years or maybe more depending on the quality.
Along with being inexpensive, asphalt shingles require little maintenance, making them the most popular roofing choice for American homeowners. While asphalt shingle roofs are often built to last 25 or 30 years, the actual expected life of your roof can differ depending on where you live. High speed winds, hurricanes, heavy storms, blizzards, and dramatic temperature fluctuations decrease the longevity of your roof. Estimates for replacing an asphalt shingled roof can range from $1, 500 to $9, 000 depending on the size of the roof as well as location.
The price of a roof replacement project varies depending on where you live. A roof replacement costs less in the Midwest than it does in the Northeast. In places where the general cost of living is higher, roof replacements will surely cost more as well. If you reside in the Midwest, you will need to supercede your roof more often. High speed winds, tornadoes, blizzards, and ice storms will all wreck havoc on your roof. Temperature fluctuations can also damage roofs. In the desert the temperature can be over 100 degrees during the day and drop to 50 or 40 degrees at night. 20-year asphalt shingles in Arizona and New Mexico last on average only 15 years, due to sustained damage from temperature fluctuations. Homeowners in regions with mild weather can get away with more moderate roof repairs, putting off full replacements for longer amounts of time.
Roof replacement estimates can vary depending on all of these factors (location, materials, etc . ). The last cost once the work is completed may be higher than the first estimate, as your roof may have some unforeseen damage that will add to the final cost. Underneath the shingles, your roof could be rotted or have water damage. Replacing the roof support system can add 1000s of dollars to the bill, with respect to the extent of the damage. This is a good incentive to keep your roof precisely maintained and have it replaced on time.
When you’re choosing your roofing contractor, ask for references. You’ll definitely want to see examples of their work with local homes. When giving an estimate, a contractor will come to your house to inspect your roof. He’ll make a number that factors in the cost of materials and labor, including the cost of stripping and throwing away the old shingles. The estimate includes the cost of removal and disposal of the old roofing material. If not, inquire about this to avoid surprises. There exists a chance that there will be some unforeseen costs in the project, so it is good to prevent as many of these as possible. Following the visit, they will send you a written contract. A contract from a roofing company should include a description of what is to be achieved, as well as when it is to be performed and a schedule for payment. Having it all written down can protect the homeowner later on. Be sure to shop around before settling on a specific contractor, as prices can vary considerably.
When you have chosen your roofing materials and your contractor, it’s time to set a date for the project. The actual work of replacing the roof can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the roof. You ought to plan to have someone in the home while the work is being done. If they have any questions or discover any additional difficulties with your roof, it helps that you’re home to discuss things with them.
Before the workers arrive, it’s good to remove any items that may get in the way of their ladders. Climbing on roofs can be dangerous, even for professionals, so it’s best to stay out of their way. First, the roofers rip out all the old roofing shingles and replace any rotted or damaged wood in the roof. Next they lay a base, and then they lay the shingles. Roof work is noisy. Expect to hear a whole lot of hammering as well as people running around all over your roof. It’s not really an invasive home repair. You won’t have workmen coming inside your house. As long as you don’t mind the noise, it’s not much of an inconvenience.
Once your new roof is completed, make sure the workers have cleaned up all of the debris that has fallen. Each time a roof is replaced, the workers usually toss the pieces of the old roof onto the ground or right into a dump truck as they truly are working. Once the bulk of the old material is discarded, responsible companies will cleanup after themselves to ensure customer care. They usually have a magnetic broom that picks up most of the nails and other materials that can be hazardous as well as unsightly. You may find a shingle or two in your yard afterwards, which is perfectly normal.