American Construction Global Header

DETERMINANTS OF HOW MUCH WILL MY ROOF REPLACEMENT COST?

DETERMINANTS OF HOW MUCH WILL MY ROOF REPLACEMENT COST
Replacing your roof is a major investment in your home albeit an essential one. When you are planning on having your roof replaced, it is a good idea to understand not only the process through which you can get the most for your investment but also why and how certain choices you make in terms of replacing your roof can impact the price you pay for roof replacement.

It is important to educate yourself first before you invite a contractor in to provide you with an estimate for the cost of the replacement of your roof. Here at Roofing Contractors in Cherry Hill, NJ We provide services that can fit every budget.

Factors that Impact the Cost of a New Roof:

Your roof is a complex structure with several layers of material that work together to not only protect you against outside elements but also ensure a healthy and optimum atmosphere inside your house.

Square Footage of Your Roof:

Traditionally your roof is measured in what they call a roofing square which is a ten feet by ten feet piece of roof. You can call your prospective list of roofing contractors you are considering for the job and find out what their cost per square is. That should give you a rough idea of what to expect when budgeting for your roof.

Roofing Material Used:

Your cost of replacing the roof can vary dramatically depending on the material you use to replace your existing roof. Not only can the quality of the material, even the color of the material impact the price noticeably. For example, just in the asphalt roofing costs if want to replace a three-tab shingle roof with an architectural-type shingle roof, both the life of your roof and the price can practically double. Similar or even more drastic differences in prices can occur when you move from an asphalt roof to a wood, shake, slate, or metal roof.

It is also important to note that when you change from using one type of material for your roof to another there are additional costs associated with increased weight or handling of the new material that is added to the cost of roofing. It is important to be mindful of this fact since added weight or handling can change your bill noticeably.

House Structure and Suitability for Chosen Material:

It is important to note that when you decide to move from having one type of roof to another, the technical requirements of various parts of your house such as the weight of the material or the underlying decking may change. The new material, such as a tile roof, may be much heavier than the old and thus require more support under it to hold the weight. This can add substantial cost to your overall bill if such structural changes are needed before your new roof can be installed.

Roof Pitch:

Your roof’s pitch is the angle of the steepness of your roof. The steeper it is, the riskier it is for the roofing crew to move around and work on it. Added to the risk is the cost of having safety equipment like temporary railing harnesses and cleats. This adds to the cost of putting on a new roof.

Valleys and Peaks on the Roof:

Valleys are areas of the roof where two different roof lines meet. Your house may have a different number of levels in different areas that can add to varying peaks and valleys on your roof. It is cheaper and easier to cover straight sections of a roof. Peaks and valleys not only require special equipment and expertise to put a roof on but may also require more time and labor. This may change your roofing estimate.

Access to the House or the Roof:

Sometimes your house is located far from the main road or at an awkward angle architecturally that makes it difficult for the material deliveries to be brought in or have to be carried up. This will add to the labor for the job and can impact your final bill.

How Many Layers of Shingles Are on Your Roof?

Most of us assume that taking one layer of shingles off is the same as taking two off, however, it may take double or more time depending on what is found under the first layer. If your house, unfortunately, has three layers of shingles, this may also have done some damage to the underlying structure of the decking due to added weight that may need to be properly assessed before a new roof may be put on top of it.

Extra Structures on the Roof:

That grand chimney on your roof may let you have a lovely fire during winter nights or having multiple skylights on your roof might bring in more light, but when it comes to accommodating such structures during your roofing project may add to the cost of not only working around it but also ensuring no water or other elements get around them and under your shingles during its lifetime. This may add a good chunk to the cost of adding a roof to your house.

Repairs to the Existing Infrastructure:

Try as you may and have your roofing contractor inspect the roof before writing that estimate, but the true condition of the underlayment and decking cannot be known precisely before taking the old roof off. Until then it is impossible to predict the added cost of repairs that are needed to mend the underlying damage before putting the new roof on.

Overhang:

If your house has a large covered porch or other such structures, ice protection will need to be installed at the edge of the roof and inside the line of walls. This is a prudent and smart addition, but it will add to the cost of your roofing job.

In conclusion, putting on a new roof can be a challenging and frustrating thing if you are running on a tight budget. Unexpected costs and cost overruns may put a squeeze on your budget. But an ethical contractor with your best interest at heart can walk you safely through this quagmire and advise you on what prudent investments to make and what to do for a future project.