Ensuring your roof replacement costs will stay within budget can be easy if you work with the right contractor. If you have a reliable roofer, you will be properly informed about the projected expenses as well as any potential issues for which you should also prepare.
Typically, home improvement experts recommend setting aside 20% of your total budget for unexpected costs. Here are a few circumstances that could lead to these additional expenses.
Replacing your old roof with the same asphalt shingles will land a figure close to your roofer’s estimate. Upgrading to a more energy-efficient roofing material will increase your roof replacement costs and possibly push back your project timeline. If you also decide to upgrade to low-maintenance gutters, improved ventilation or a more durable underlayment, this would raise the cost of your roof replacement.
Roofing prices depend on the season, so roofers typically give quotes that are valid for only a limited period. This is because roofing companies tend to get more work during certain seasons, so labor costs change based on local demand. That said, the roofing estimates you receive today will likely be different or might not be valid after five months. Generally, roofing services are cheaper in winter and higher in spring.
Roofers may only inspect your roof’s outer material, and there are also certain parts of the roof that can only be checked if the old materials are removed. In this case, you have to brace yourself for the possibility that your contractor will uncover hidden structural damage, such as pest infestation, roof leak or overloading damage due to heavy snow accumulation or multiple roofing layers. Repairing these issues will add to your costs.
If a lot of time has passed since your roof was installed, it’s possible that the codes have changed. This will require you to bring your roof up to code during roof replacement — which means additional expenses may be incurred. If you have recently bought a house, the previous homeowner could have done some unauthorized modifications to the roof, rendering the structure non-compliant with building codes.
Sometimes, roof replacement extends beyond the expected timeframe due to various reasons, such as inclement weather, supplier or logistic issues and other delays caused by the roofers.
You can always count on Roof Masters for the best roofing, window and door services for your property. Call us at (301) 230-7663, or fill out this contact form to get started with your home improvement.