Major Considerations before Replacing Your Roof
If your roof is compromised, you don’t want to wait around to fix it. When it comes to roof repair from a trusted company like richmond roofing, there’s no reason to sit around wasting time. When your roof needs to be replaced, it’s an even more urgent matter. No one wants to wait around for their roof to grow weaker and weaker over their heads. However, even if your roof damage is severe after a big storm, how do you know it needs to be replaced, and what do you do in the event of a total replacement? Before you sign on for a roof replacement, you’ll need to make sure you take all the right steps to make the process go smoothly. If you’re in the market for a new roof, here are a few things to think about before jumping into a purchase.
Compare Rates
A full roof replacement is going to be an expensive endeavor no matter who your contractor is. However, as with most home improvement jobs, you can find a huge variety in price simply by asking around for different estimates and quotes. However, be careful not to go too low. Many contractors actually view roof replacement as a throw-away job, since it doesn’t often lead to a consistent relationship with customers. Be sure to hire someone who’s actually licensed to do this kind of roof repair, rather than someone who comes in at a shockingly low bid and hires a lot of cheap workers to repair your roof. Most total roof replacement jobs will come in at a minimum of $5,000 to $8,000, so be very wary of any estimate that comes in lower than that. While you might be tempted by the idea of saving money, remember that paying for a shoddy roof replacement job will only lead to higher costs later, and could have the added effect of putting you and your family in danger in the meantime.
Don’t Roof Over
Depending on the extent of your damage and the type of roof you have, some contractors may tell you that roofing “over” your current roof is an option. While this is true, it’s not always the best move, especially if you want to prevent long-term damage. Think about it: You wouldn’t just build over any damage to your car’s framework, and you wouldn’t cover up a hole in your roof with a piece of tape. If your roof is rotting or damaged, you want to get it out of there and start from scratch. Mold is an insidious problem that can spread extremely fast. If you haven’t gotten all the damaged areas taken out of your roof, you could easily be looking at a new repair or replacement job for your brand new roof in less than a year. Do yourself a favor and rip everything up before you replace your old roof.
Think Long-Term
If you’re someone who’s cost savvy, you’ll want to think about saving money in the long-term, not up front. In the case of a full or even partial roof replacement job, that means putting safety first. While it might be tempting to install a roof over your old roof in the interest of saving a thousand dollars or so, or even opting to do a partial replacement when you know it’s safer and more prudent to get the whole thing done, remember that if your roof’s structure is failing, you don’t want to think about cutting corners. Replacing your roof is a way of protecting your entire home from rotting and damage. If you don’t allow your contractors to do due diligence by tearing up your old roof, inspecting flashing, and looking at the actual sum damage, you’re only setting yourself up for big problems, and big bills, later on.
Pay for a Clean Job
When your roof is replaced, it involves a long process of de-installing your shingles to get to the decking and flashing underneath. When your workers are taking apart your old roof, they’re bound to be plying roofing nails out of your shingles and throwing them on the ground. This results in a ton of rusty nails on the ground surrounding your home and in your backyard. While this might seem like a small annoyance, it can be a huge, dangerous problem for your family. Before your contractor starts any work, make sure they come with a magnet that will collect all the nails neatly, protecting you and your home from harm.
