Things to Consider When Replacing a Roof: Guide for Homeowners

You’re a homeowner who has discovered it’s time to replace your roof.

Now what?

There are some vital questions you need to answer before taking the necessary steps forward.

If you’re looking to replace your roof and are wondering what you need to sort out, you’re in the right place.

In this video, we’re taking a look at important things to consider when replacing a roof.

It’s an important job, so you need to get it right.

Sound interesting?

Keep reading to find out more.

Sort Out Your Budget

Hopefully, you know going in that replacing a roof replacement isn’t a cheap process.

But even as you mentally prepare to spend a decent amount, it’s important that you sort out your actual budget for the job.

Being prepared on your budget will keep you from overspending, or skimping on a job that will need replacement again sooner than later.

On average, the cost of a roof replacement is in the $5,000 to 15,000 range.

And that price is largely dependent on the type of material you opt for.

Go For a Full Roof

For some homeowners, it can be tempting to purchase a nail-over reroof.

This would be having an additional roof nailed onto your existing roof. But it’s a good idea to resist this temptation.

For starters, you likely won’t qualify for any type of extended warranty.

Whereas with a full roof replacement, you would.

It also means the roof flashing on your current roof will stay on, which can cause problems down the line.

If you do end up with a leak at some point, having a nail-over roof makes it harder to detect and fix the leak.

And you won’t even be able to check up on the state of your roof decking.

Plus, the roof has to be lying flat still, but also nearing the end of its lifespan.

So even if you want to risk the first few issues, your roof might not even qualify.

The better idea is to do a tear-off reroof.

This involves completely removing your old roof and installing a fresh new roof.

It includes all the components of a roof, from shingles to underlayment.

Materials

Perhaps the biggest decision you’ll need to make is the roofing material.

And a lot of that decision will be based on your answers to questions about cost, warranties, curb appeal, and lifespan.

For example, if money is no object, and you want the highest possible lifespan, then a slate roof might be the way to go.

If you want something a little less expensive, but with a 30+ year lifespan and high curb appeal, you might opt for cedar shake.

The long-term nature of these materials means they don’t come with warranties though.

So, there’s a slight risk that if anything goes wrong, you’ll be forced to fully cover any repairs or replacements later on.

If you’re looking for pure protection, you might opt for shingles.

They not only tend to last anywhere from 22-30 years, depending on the type of shingle, but they also come with a 30-year warranty.

And in the heat of Arizona, for example, they can be a great value.

And while something like architectural shingles might not have very high curb appeal, you can rest assured that you’ll be covered by a warranty for three decades.

Of course, if you’re looking for shingles but want to splurge a little, you can go with synthetic shingles.

They not only tend to last for 40 to 50 years, but they have a very high curb appeal.

And they often come with at least some form of limited warranty.

The reality is that once you bump up from something like architectural asphalt shingles to luxury asphalt shingles, you’re looking at about double the price.

And that price can skyrocket when you can into something like a standing seam metal roof.

These and the other, upper-level materials are often too pricy for the average homeowner.

So it’s likely you’ll want to focus on a shingle roof replacement.

Work With Reputable Contractors

If you search around your area for roofers, odds are you’ll get a lot of results.

But that doesn’t mean they are all equal in terms of work quality, qualifications, or even legality.

And while it might seem like the quick and easy choice to pick the cheapest option, you need to ensure you’re working with a licensed and insured roofing contractor.

And assuming you can whittle down your choice to a few reputable contractors, it’s also a good idea to talk to a few of them.

Get estimates and advice from a few roofing companies.

For starters, that will help you figure out the general pricing for your project.

It will also potentially give you a gauge of whether or not your roof actually needs replacing.

Let’s say you talk to four contractors, and two or three of them say that you only need some repairs, while one or two say you need a replacement.

This is likely a sign that you only need repairs.

It also likely means that you found at least a couple of roofing contractors you can trust.