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Every home is different. Some are painted yellow and doused with rustic decor, some are painted white and embellished with a modern flair, and others are painted grey with a farmhouse twist. Every home is different, with its own unique family inside that carefully crafts it to their taste and vision. On the inside and out, your home fits your aesthetic perfectly and is a reflection of your incomparable style and personality.
Whether your siding is painted yellow, white, or grey and your decor differ greatly from family and friends, all of your homes share something in common: their structure. You all have floors, walls, and roofs over your head to protect you from the elements. While visibly different, they’re structurally the same. As homeowners, you all share the same mission, too; keep your home operating at its best and your family inside of it safe.
What happens when something out of your control disrupts the perfect home you’ve worked so hard to build? A hurricane hits and your roof is damaged beyond repair, or a tornado blows through your neighborhood and suddenly your beloved cypress tree is crashing onto your roof. Or, maybe, a thunderstorm destroys your shingles. Now, you’re left with leaks, debris, and unwanted pests making their way into your once flawless home.
It can feel a bit like doomsday when something happens to the perfect place you’ve built. Perhaps it’s not quite as dramatic as a hurricane or tornado coming to town for a visit, but something like a roof leak, a lack of maintenance, or a replacement you’ve been putting off for a few years. In either scenario, the thought of replacing your roof can be extremely daunting.
How much is this going to cost me?
Can I trust the roofing contractor to do their best work?
What are my roofing options?
And so forth. There are a million questions that a concerned homeowner can conjure up when inviting someone else to fix their home; the special oasis they’ve worked so hard to create.
You’ve got questions, and RoofCrafters has answers. We’ve been helping homeowners like you replace their roofs for the past 29 years, and if there’s one thing that we choose to pride ourselves on, it’s the fact that we keep your best interest at heart. Everywhere, every time. We know that your home is your sanctuary, which is why your comfort and happiness are always at the forefront throughout your roofing project.
Part of being comfortable with the roof replacement process is being knowledgeable about the entire journey. From start to finish, RoofCrafters believes you should be educated. In this guide, you will learn every question you may ponder before you decide to have a roof replacement. We’ve taken nearly 3 decades of experience in the roofing industry and compiled it in this guide for you for one reason: to educate you on all-things-roof-replacement so you feel comfortable sitting in the driver's seat on the arrival of your project’s commencement.
How much does a roof replacement cost? To most companies, price talk is seen as taboo. It’s oftentimes seen as classless to discuss prices like an open book, however, how does reticence help a homeowner trying to budget their next roofing project? Trick question; it doesn’t.
The cost of your new roof doesn’t need to be this confidential exchange of an amount written on a piece of paper that’s handed to you by a roofing contractor over coffee and donuts. Well, if I were you, I’d at least take the donuts, but that’s beside the point. The point is that you should understand the determining factors used to calculate the cost of your roof before your initial inspection, allowing you time to properly budget or look into financing options. While each roof is different, there isn’t a hard and fast number that you can be provided with, however, there is a way to get a close estimate of the cost before your inspection.
There are 7 determining factors that go into calculating the overall cost of your roof replacement which include:
The complexity of your roof refers to its pitch and steepness. The less steep your roof is, the easier your contractor will be able to properly and safely work on it, costing you less in the long run. If your roof is extremely steep, your contractor will require extra safety equipment, not only raising the cost of labor but increasing the project timeline.
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When you decide to get a new roof installed, typically your old roof will need to be torn off, and that means the old material has to go somewhere, right? On the day of your tear-off, a construction-grade disposal dumpster will be placed on your property. Once your roof is torn-off and the old roofing materials are placed in the dumpster, they're hauled off by a CDL class driver to a landfill or a recycling facility that is equipped to handle the different types of materials used in your old roofs, such as asphalt and petroleum.
The cost of the dump fees are calculated by the type of material you had on your old roof, as well as the amount that’s being dumped by weight. The dump process is a labor-intensive aspect of your project, so depending on the weight of materials, the type, and the transportation method (recycling facility or landfill), your overall cost will be impacted.
Just like people, your roof has a skeleton, only its skeleton is composed of vastly different materials. At least we hope so. Part of the skeleton of your roof includes a wood deck, fascia boards, and rafters. The wood deck is the substrate that your new materials are fastened to, the rafters are the framing that supports the deck, and the fascia boards are attached to the rafters to prove a finished look at the edge of your roof.
Say you have a broken ankle. If you want to run in your favorite 5k next spring, you’ll need to take the proper precautions to heal it. You’ll need a cast, crutches, and rest. Roofs are the same way. If the wood decking is rotted beneath your old roof, or the rafters are damaged, they’ll need to be replaced before your new roof can be installed upon them.
Having these structural components will impact the final cost of your new roof, so keep a look out and be diligent if you suspect water damage that leads to a rotting roof structure. If it comes as a surprise to both you and your contractor, you can expect a change order to be applied.
Each roofing company has different overhead and operating costs. Some of the components that are similar across the board include:
These are the fixed costs that a roofing company has to factor into the cost of the project to operate their business successfully, in turn impacting the cost of your roof replacement.
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Now that you’re familiar with the costs surrounding a complete roof replacement, it’s time to get your inspection scheduled in the books. So, what can you anticipate during your roof inspection? Well, a few things. Let’s start with what exactly a roof inspection is first. A roof inspection is a thorough evaluation of your roof and attic. The purpose of the inspection is to help determine if your roof needs a repair or, in this case, a complete roof replacement.
Your contractor will assess your roof for problems like improper installation, debris buildup, or warped material. Furthermore, make sure to also check for missing sealant, leaks, or holes by paying close attention to hangers, aprons, pitch, and any other signs of sagging.
A professional can help you find out about your structural integrity and how long your current roof can last. The timing of roof projects usually depends on the weather conditions in your area. For example, many homeowners get their roofs inspected just before the colder and wetter months of the year to ensure that their roofs can withstand harsh weather conditions.
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Professional roofers also look for slow-draining lines and areas that are blocked to check for any signs of ponding water. An obvious sign of water pooling is a change in color or spot staining on your roof around drains. This can happen if water has sat for a considerable period.
Even if you have detected pooling water on your own, only a professional evaluation can help determine if the standing water on your roof has caused any underlying damage to the structure. If so, there’s a good chance that your contractor will have to replace the decking to ensure your new roof will have a sturdy structure underneath it.
Edge details are yet another critical aspect of preventive roofing maintenance that needs inspection. You have to ensure that all of the edge materials are secured down tightly and terminated to prevent roof leaks. If you notice otherwise, you will need a professional to properly secure anything coming loose to close cracks that might lead to roof leaks.
We know, you’re thinking, “well if I'm already getting a new roof, why does it matter?” Trust us, it matters big time! A new roof is one thing, but replacing the entire structural integrity underneath your roof because of an unknown leak is a whole other can of worms, which is why professional inspections and maintenance are so important.
The last step in your roof inspection will be about checking the condition of your gutters and clearing any debris. While you can do this step on your own, if you find it daunting and are scared of heights like most people, your roofer will be happy to help. Gutters help to flow water away from the more vulnerable areas of your roof, so it’s important that they stay clear at all times; on your old roof, and especially on your new roof!
The first thing your contractor will do when they arrive is set up your job site. This is done by moving items that could potentially get damaged such as outdoor furniture, grills, and pottery plants. Your contractor will also ask you to move any vehicles out of your garage or driveway that you will need access to while the roof replacement is being completed. This will keep your vehicles from getting damaged and give you access to them, should you need to leave your home for any reason during the project.
One of the most important jobs your contractor has to do is make sure you and everyone on your property are safe. This requires setting your job site up with the right equipment. First, the most important thing is to make sure no one gets injured on your property. Next is to make sure your property does not get destroyed during the tear-off process. The crew has the right safety equipment for your roofing project, along with the proper setup of barricades and tarps to ensure that the job site stays safe during the tear-off process.
Your contractor will schedule the new roof material to be delivered the day your roof replacement starts. Coordinating the new materials to be delivered once the old roof has been torn off will keep your contractor from loading new material on your old roof that will have to be moved again to tear the old roof off.
This requires a little more effort and communication with the local supply house but saves both time and money down the line. Depending on your roof type and the complexity, your contractor may choose to ground set the materials if it makes your roof replacement process run more smoothly.
After the old roof is torn off and your new roof materials are delivered, your contractor will begin to install your new roof system. To ensure you get a high-quality installation, they will follow all state and local building codes, as well as the roofing manufacturers' installation requirements.
The roof will be installed section by section with all the roofing components that make up the entire roof system being installed in their correct order. Having both experienced installers and using quality materials will ensure that you get the most lifespan from your new roof replacement.
The last step and one of the most important ones involves having the quality of the workmanship from your new roof installation inspected. Once your project is complete, your contractor will have a quality control person or supervisor come out and do a complete walk-through to double-check for quality.
They will get on the roof and inspect the installation to make sure that you will be left with the highest quality workmanship possible for the materials you invested in. By double-checking the areas that are most prone to leak such as chimneys, skylights, pipes, vents, and around all roof- -to-wall details. No matter who you hire, a contractor that double-checks their work is sure to have fewer issues from installation mistakes and leave you with the best installation possible.
The 4 most common material options for residential roofs in North America are
Asphalt Shingles
Tiles
Wood and Slate
Metal
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If you’re looking for a rustic aesthetic, a wooden roof might be an excellent option for you. Due to their rarity, wooden roofs make your home stand out. Although RoofCrafters doesn’t install this type of roof very often, they’re beautiful nonetheless with many different perks.
Wood and slate roofs are incredibly sustainable and are perfect for those concerned about their carbon footprint. They also save you cash long-term, as they are far more durable than any other type of roof.
Wood is an excellent insulator, so you’ll see your electricity bills reduced. Not to mention, the maintenance is incredibly easy and cost-efficient. The wooden materials and shingles are easier to replace than other roofing materials, so if you’re ever in need of a roof repair, not to worry. Your repair will go smoothly, and be finished before you know it.
So, how do you know which color is the best for your roof? Before we can answer this big question, there are a few important things to note:
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You wouldn’t go out to your favorite restaurant wearing a red flannel, purple polka-dot pants, and a yellow sombrero, would you? As important as it is to make sure your outfits match, it’s equally important to do the same for your roof and home. Always ensure the style of your home matches the style of the new roof you desire.
Are you the modern type? Or do you find pleasure in a more rustic, woodsy style? Believe it or not, these are the important questions you need to be asking yourself. The type of material you choose depends on what look you want to achieve.
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You must evaluate the structure and color of the exterior of your home before choosing the roof’s color. It can be beneficial if you are planning to repaint your home when replacing or constructing the roof. This will help you create eye-catching combinations, and earn your money’s worth if you choose to sell in the future.
The color of the roof will either shift the potential buyer’s focus or grab it. Therefore, whatever roof color you pick, it is a great idea to have a plan of what you are doing with the rest of the exterior siding and color before selecting your new roof color. No pressure, just something to think about.
Cruise around your neighborhood and take a mental note of your style and design preferences. It could also be helpful to create a board of ideas and discuss them with a professional roofer. If there’s anything you take from this section of the guide, simply remember to match the style of your home with that of the roof.
You can always re-paint your home, later on, however, it’s much more challenging to get an entirely new roof installed. If your home is chic and modern, don’t go for outdated color themes. In contrast, if your home is made with bricks and has vintage architecture, it’s better to match the roofing with something that will complement that particular style.
First and foremost, a ventilation system is important for the overall longevity of your roof. We’re talking majorly important. If you have asphalt shingles installed on your roof and neglect to install a vent system along with it, your roof will not last you 15 to 20 years.
Without proper ventilation, your attic will become so hot during the summer months that your shingles will begin to cook. Not only will you have to dish out more money for a new roof installation, but this could potentially start a fire. Homeowner’s insurance will not cover these costs, as this would fall under neglect.
That’s right, proper ventilation is cost-efficient. Although it’s a bigger investment upfront, it will pay off in the long run, we promise. With a vent system, you won’t have to worry about paying as much on energy bills, as your attic would be leaking hot air throughout the rest of your home. Sayonara, hefty utility bills!
Not only will your AC not have to work as hard, but you’ll be saving the money you’d have to spend on attic and roof repairs if you didn’t have a ventilation system installed. All in all, save yourself stress and money and make sure your home has the proper ventilation system installed.
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That depends on how the warranty is worded. Even if a manufacturer or roofing contractor tells you the warranty lasts for 25, 35, 50 years, or a lifetime, the actual term of coverage can be abridged depending on how the contract is worded.
For example, while the bold print may read “30 years” or “lifetime”, the fine print may indicate that the actual warranted value of the roof is reduced by 80% and drops 2% every year. Other exclusions can include such things as deterioration of underlayment, caulking, and/or flashing. A big one in the fine print is misapplication, if your contractor installs the roof incorrectly, some manufacturers will void the material warranty.
This type of warranty is only available through the manufacturer. Considered the Cadillac of manufacturers' warranties, it provides the homeowner with the satisfaction of having the manufacturer take full responsibility for the repair or replacement of a defective roof, no matter how much it takes to affect the repair including material and labor. This kind of warranty only covers damage caused by defective material or faulty installation. Not storm damage or any acts of mother nature.
