You know that you need to have your roof replaced. You see tons of companies offering free roof replacement estimates. But how do you know what prices to expect? Or how the bid for your roof is even calculated?
Fivecoat Roofing Inc. has over 30 years of experience inspecting and appraising roofs. Our trained and certified roofers work on every type of residential and commercial roofs. We know how to spot a too-good-to-be-true roof estimate. Versus a fair price that will guarantee you quality materials and craftsmanship on a roof that will stand up to inclement weather for years to come.
This article will guide you through the process of appraising a roof replacement. Teaching you the information an expert roofer will look for. So you can identify what a fair price for a quality roof will be.
Let’s explore the four most common factors used in determining roofing costs.
The size of your roof is an important factor that affects the amount of time and materials it will take to roof your house. It can be difficult and dangerous to climb onto your roof and measure it.
So a trick to estimate your roof size is to multiply the square footage of your house by 1.5 (ex: A 2,000 square foot house will have a roof that is approximately 3,000 square feet).
The steeper the roof, the more difficult and time consuming it is to install. For a steep roof your roofer will need to use special equipment like harnesses and install footholds to work on your house. Use thisRoof Pitch Guide from CertainTeed to find out how steep your roof is.
Also, more ‘dormer windows’ (slopped projections built onto your roof with a window installed at the end) mean more labor time. Special features like skylights, solar tubes, and solar panels are also features that add value to your home, but raise costs in roofing installation.
If you have extensive water or structural damage to your roof, you can expect to nearly double the amount of time and labor that will go into your roof.
Also, sometimes new roofs can simply be installed on top of the old roof. Saving time and money. But, if your roof is damaged or you are switching to new a roof materials, it will take more time to rip and remove your old roof. Adding labor and disposal costs to your total estimate.
Some materials last longer and work better in specific climates than others. In general, investing in higher quality materials will extend the life of your roof and save you money in future repair costs.
At Fivecoat Roofing Inc. we often recommend usingGAFcomposite shingles. GAF shingles come with a Limited Lifetime Warrantee and are some of the best in the industry for our Pacific Northwest weather. We also recommend using all metal vents, pipes, and valleys when installing a roof.
Be wary of roofers that use off-brand or cheap materials to save on costs. You’ll pay for it and more in the long run.
Every roofing service and estimate is different. But now that you know that basics of your roof, you can get an idea of what your new roof should cost.
One way to get an idea of your roof replacement cost is to use a ‘roofing cost calculator’. Just ‘click’ on the following link and enter all of the roof information you learned in this post into theCost Calculator . There are many roof cost calculators on the internet. Each calculator will be different and only provide rough estimates.
You can also receive detailed estimates from trusted local roofers.
Fivecoat Roofing Inc. provides Free, No Obligation roof estimates throughout the Portland Metro Area. Simply contact usand we will send an expert Portland roofer to your home within 48 hrs of your request. We will create an easy to understand estimate of your roof and call back to answer any of your questions and discuss your roofing options.
Remember, be wary of too-good-to-be-true estimates that promise cheap and fast results. Investing in name brand materials and quality service will save you time and money in the long run.
The primary cost factors that sway the price of roof replacement are the type of materials and the design of your roof. For example, the standard roof ranges between 1,000 and 3,000 square feet, and you can opt for anything from asphalt shingles to aluminum, clay or copper roofing.
Your roofing cost estimate will vary based on materials and labor. Roofing materials come either by the square foot, by the bundle or by roofing square—a 10 ft by 10 ft slab of materials. Additionally, up to 60% of your price will account for labor.
Our average roof replacement cost accounts for the most common roof sizes, materials and labor rates across the country.
The cost of installing a new roof costs between $4 and $40 per square foot—or about $7 on average—including both labor and materials. Remember that in roofing terms, this means between $400 to $4,000 per roofing square, or about $700 for the most popular materials.
Estimating the size of your roof can be a headache if you don’t have the original blueprints. The slope and shape of your roof—hipped, gabled or flat, for example—dictate the number of shingles, shakes or tiles you’ll need. In the end, a professional will do the best job of clarifying the exact size of your roof.
When choosing a roofing contractor, opt for a professional with specific experience in roof replacements. Not only can they help you make the call to replace instead of performing repairs, but they will also help you design the roof that’s best for your home.
The price of the service accounts for between $2 and $7 per square foot on average. The high end of this range accounts for complex jobs with steep roofs, hard-to-access areas and regions with higher costs of living. Your contractor may charge between $40 and $60 per hour for the work, but flat-rate estimates are more common for large projects like these.
The other 40% to 50% of total roof replacement costs go toward materials. An itemized list breaks down to the roofing material—shingles, shakes, tiles, etc—as well as the underlayment, new flashing, roof ridges and vents. You’ll also contribute to the cost of building supplies such as nails, tools, ladders and other related equipment.
The slope of your roof affects both the square footage and the labor rates of roof replacement. For one, the higher the pitch, the larger the area. While most roofs fall between a 3:12 and 6:12 ratio, steeper roofs will require special equipment and take longer to install.