Estimate a roof replacement

There are a few different methods to estimate a roof replacement. It is generally best to wait until there is obvious damage before deciding to replace it. The cost of roof repairs can vary widely based on factors such as the size of the home, the type and age of the material, and who performs the work.

Generally, it is estimated that a roof replacement will cost an average homeowner $2-$5 per square foot for shingles or other materials, and $5-10 for metal, depending on the efficiency of using old vs new materials. This means that a 1000 sq ft replacement should average somewhere in the range of $2000-$5000 in shingle prices alone (not including any costs associated with removing old shingles, installing a temporary covering, or anything else).

The most basic method of determining the cost of a roof replacement is to multiply the number of square feet by $2-$5 per sq ft. This will give you an approximate total for shingles only (with no other associated costs.) If materials are actually less than that then it might be a good idea to consider using them, but if they are more than $2 per sq ft then it might be better to use new materials.

To get an accurate quote on a roof replacement/ roof repair you will need to call at least three contractors and ask them for estimates. Asking friends or family members is also a good way of finding contractors, but you should verify their licenses with your state or county. You might also check for “A+” or other high ratings on sites. It is also a good idea to ask each contractor what products they recommend and why, as well as how long it will take them to complete the job.

Another method of estimating a roof replacement/roof repair is to consider the age and cost of maintenance performed on the current roof over the last 5 years. Although this approach is not very accurate it can help you get a feel for how much your home’s roof costs. For example, if you have had ten different repairs over the past six years then it is time to consider a replacement. If you have had only one, then it may be wise to wait a while longer.

In conclusion, an accurate estimate can only come from the person who will actually perform the work. There are many different methods but they all depend on how much damage is visible and what materials are currently in place. The most important thing is to get more than one estimate and do your homework. Knowing the exact amount you will have to pay before beginning a project can save you thousands of dollars in labor costs.

The one thing that strikes me every time we go in to replace roof shingles is how often people think they need new roofs when they actually don’t. It’s not a minor expense for most homeowners and replacing your roof should be done only once you really need to do it, but many people act too quickly and find out later that they didn’t have to spend the money on it at all.

This may be because they have seen damage on the roof and don’t realize that it isn’t as bad as they thought for roof repair. he shingles are often in great condition underneath a layer of surface damage. You really can’t tell how well your roof is doing from street or sidewalk level, so always hire someone to take a look before replacing your roof. This will generally cost around $100-$150 but could save you thousands of dollars down the road. There are many methods for estimating a roof replacement /roof repair , and most of them depend on who will be performing the work. If you choose to do it yourself then you’ll want an estimate based on labor costs alone (without any material costs). Otherwise, you should call at least three different contractors, preferably with licenses in your state or county. If you have friends or family that have a great roof then ask them who put it on, how much they paid, and how long the job took for roof repair.

Replacing a roof

If you are replacing a roof yourself you should know that removal costs can vary widely depending upon how accessible your roof is. The whole process of removing old shingles and installing new ones should take around half a day per 10 sq ft up to 30 sq ft. Labor costs will run from $150-$300 for this portion of the work alone but materials will cost between $5-10 per square foot (which means that 1000 sq ft would average somewhere between $500-$1000.) This is only an estimate based on shingle types and proportions, so expect a range depending on the materials you use.

Once you have new shingles for roof repair in place it is time to put the ridge vent back onto your roof. This should be done before installing any insulation or sealing up your attic vents because doing it later will require tearing down various things that are already in place. This portion of work shouldn’t take very long since most people choose metal roofs and aluminum ridge vents that snap into place without requiring extra tools or expertise. If you have an older house then you might need to cut out sections of fiberglass insulation around the vent but this isn’t difficult as long as you aren’t trying to do it with broken glass along your roofline (a common method for stopping leaks that is rarely effective.)

If you need to seal or roof repair, don’t wait. These jobs are difficult and time-consuming, so make sure that everything is prepared correctly before tearing up the old shingles. You can expect to pay $3000-$5000 for a new roof unless you are going with metal sheets. This may seem like a lot of money but it is less than the cost of replacing your entire house at today’s building costs. When you are finished with this task you’ll have a brand new roof that will last for decades.

These estimates are for roof repairs that are 12×20. If your roof has different dimensions then the amount of materials required will vary, but not necessarily the labor costs. This should give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend before getting an official quote from a contractor. A good roofing contractor will never try to get you to pay more than necessary and will often help save money by recommending simpler fixes instead of more expensive options.

If you want to take the first step towards getting a new roof, contact an experienced contractor today. They’ll come out and give you a free estimate for all the work that needs to be done on your home.

**Again, you should always make sure your quotes are in writing and remember that if something is not included than it does not need to be paid for at all.

10 TIPS FOR GETTING THE BEST DEAL ON A NEW ROOF

#1 – Get Several Estimates. You’re going to want at least three estimates from contractors you find online or in the phone book, but calling around to friends and family can also turn up some leads on reliable contractors who may not advertise anywhere. Remember that each contractor will give you slightly different answers depending on his equipment needs and legal requirements in your state, so don’t assume that the lowest bid is always the best deal.

#2 – Get a Written Estimate. Even if you are only going to use one contractor, get a written estimate for him to sign with all of the labor and materials costs included. This makes it easier for you to prove in court that he didn’t change his estimate later on and avoids having several contractors making verbal promises that they can never seem to remember when it comes time to pay them. #3 – Make Sure Your New Roof Covers All The Work Needed. A new roof may not be necessary if there are leaks in your attic or around skylights or chimneys, but if you have an older home then those problems need to be fixed at the same time. New roofs are designed to last for decades, but they can be damaged by rain if the underlying structure isn’t air-tight.

#4 – Don’t Ignore Hidden Costs. When you pay a contractor $8000 for a new roof, the materials and labor will cost only about half of that. The rest is going to come from sales taxes on supplies (which you may not notice but can add up quickly) and extra charges for things like parts, cleanup, disposal fees, permits and other expenses that vary widely depending on your area. Make sure that any quotes you get include all these costs so you don’t get stuck with an unexpected bill later on.

#5 – Ask About Warranties. Warranties won’t make up for an inexperienced or untrustworthy contractor, but they can be a good indicator of how much you should trust someone. In most cases, contractors won’t guarantee their work since that would make it easy to cheat customers out of more money later on, but lengthy warranties are the exception that proves the rule.

#6 – Get Any Required Permits. Some cities and counties require permits for new roofs just like plumbing or electrical work because they don’t want residents making risky repairs on their own. You may not be required to get a permit in your area so long as you hire a qualified contractor and use licensed materials, but if he suggests getting one then don’t object if you know there’s a chance he might not be able to finish the job.

#7 – Check Local Laws. There are always different laws in each state, county or city so you should not assume that something like a permit is required to have a new roof put on your house. If your contractor doesn’t know the local requirements than he’s either new to the area or trying to hide something from you. Be sure to check with your town hall before signing any contracts if you think there might be a problem later on.

#8 – Watch Out For Fraudulent Work. Repairing a roof can look very similar to roof replacements, especially when they involve fixing shingles and minor damage, so make sure that everything being done meets code standards and isn’t being billed as an entire new roof for major work. Replacing half the shingles or replacing only damaged sections will cost a lot less than replacing everything at once, but you won’t get that choice if your contractor is trying to cheat you.

#9 – Know What To Expect. Your new should last for decades with regular maintenance (and even longer without any repairs), so make sure that any contract includes an expected service life on its materials and workmanship. That information may seem like it’s included in all contracts already since most contractors want referrals from satisfied customers, but it can be dangerous to assume anything after you sign the papers.

#10 – Get Several Written Quotes. Don’t rely on verbal estimates alone because they can easily lead to disputes over what was actually agreed upon when one of the contractors try to increase their bill later on. Get at least three written quotes from different contractors and compare them carefully before deciding which one you want to hire.

#11 – Check References. Most reputable contractors will give you a list of clients they’ve worked for in the past but don’t assume that any positive reviews are invalid because they were probably given by people who got a great new roof for a low price. It’s better to read between the lines than just looking at the obvious positives since those reviews can be written without much thought or honesty, especially if there is nothing wrong with how things turned out during a job.

#12 – Go With Experience. A new roof may seem like an easy fix compared to other construction projects where you have to tear out walls or floors, but it’s still a big job even if you hire the most experienced contractor around. Don’t be afraid of hiring someone who is new to the business as long as they are willing to work with your schedule and give you references from other customers, but don’t take on anything complicated until you know an old pro can handle everything without making lots of costly mistakes.

#13 – Be Wary Of Cheap Roof Repairs. If your roof is covered in cracks and missing large sections of shingles then there’s a good chance you’ll have to replace it eventually anyway, so just get started with a new one instead of wasting time fixing damaged roofs when they will probably need replacing later anyway.