Replacing your roof can be expensive, we all know that but it can be a worthwhile investment if done right. It’s important to have a better understanding of what it takes to install a new roof and all the intricacies that go with it. Here at Roof Royale, we have been providing professional roofing services helping homeowners to get the best roof for their home that provides them with more security and shelter.
Today we have decided to cover some of the frequently asked questions about a new roof which we have encountered severally from homeowners like you.
1. When Do I Need a New Roof?
There are several indicators that will enable you to know when you need a new roof. Some of these indicators can be discovered by you while some will need a professional as you might not be able to see it with the naked eye.
Here are some indicators of a roof problem and a sign it’s time for a new roof:
- Roof leaks into the attic or leaking ceilings.
- Shingles are badly aging and are blistering.
- Curling shingles or buckling, missing or broken roof shingles.
- Damaged roof flashings
- Broken tiles on a tile roof.
Generally, if your roof has reached or exceeded its lifespan, then that’s an obvious sign that you need a new roof. For example, asphalt shingles have a normal lifespan of 15 to 25 years, while a clay tile roof is expected to last over 50 years. Once they got to this stage, your roof will start experiencing lots of cracks, rip, or tear, which will result in roof leaks on the various parts of your roof.
2. Can My Roof Be Repaired Instead of Replaced?
To determine whether you need to repair your roof instead of a total roof replacement will be determined by the extent of roof damage and its lifespan. The roofing professionals at Austin Roof Royale can thoroughly examine your roof damages to determine if your roof can be repaired to save you some cost.
3. How Much Does a New Roof Cost?
No two homes are the same, and there are several factors that can determine the cost of a new roof. Here are the 4 top factors to consider:
- Roofing Material: The type of roofing material you choose will affect the cost of your new roof.
- Size: The bigger the house, the bigger the roof, and the more roofing materials will be needed to cover it which will directly affect the cost.
- Pitch: The pitch or angle of your roof can affect the final price as a roof with a steep pitch can require a longer timetable to complete and more safety measures that can increase the final roof bid.
- Labour: The amount of labor required will definitely affect the cost of your new roof. If a roofer has to remove all existing shingles before installing new shingles, the labor and cost will increase. The experience of the roofing contractor can also slightly affect the price of the final bid. But it is important to note that price shouldn’t be a determinant factor when choosing a contractor to work with as workmanship can impact the durability of your roof for decades to come.
These four factors will help you to have an idea of what it will cost to install a new roof. But in general, you can expect the average cost to replace a roof to be around $8,000. The typical range is between $5,500 to $12,000 (it can be more or less) depending on the 4 factors described above.
4. How Long Does it Take to Replace a Roof?
There are factors such as the weather, complexity, and accessibility of your home that could impact how long it will take to replace a roof. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for this but you can expect it to take as little as a day for an average residence of 3,000 feet or less or up to 2 weeks depending on the weather conditions, the new roofing materials, and the size of the house. You can learn more about how long it can take to replace a roof here.
5. How Do I Choose a Good Roofing Contractor?
Hiring the right roofing contractor is the most important decision you have to make when looking to install a new roof. Like I said earlier, the quality of materials and workmanship impact the durability of the roof for decades to come. Failure to hire the best roofing company from the start will result in more roofing problems which will cost you more money, time, and stress. That’s why we advise not choosing a company solely because they offer cheap roofing services to avoid “fly by night” roofers. Here is a detailed article that will show you how to choose the right roofing company. This post will show you everything you need to know, helping you to make the best decisions when choosing a roofing contractor.
5b. What Is a Fly-by-Night Roofer?
Fly-by-night roofers are typically uninsured contractors looking to exploit a bad situation to make money by doing shoddy work. They typically move around the community to sell their services after a massive storm that leaves significant damages to most homes. They make great claims about the quality of their work and provide a mouth-watering offer for a new roof. if you get a knock on your door, especially after a major storm hit, do proper research to determine if the company is fully insured and well-experienced to carry out your roofing project.
6. How Long Will My New Roof Last?
That largely depends on the roofing material you select for your new roof. Most roofs such as asphalt shingles have a lifespan of up to 20 years while slate, copper, and tile roofs can last more than 50 years. Also, the roofing contractor you are working with also determines to a great extent how long your new roof will last and the more reason why you should only consider a reliable and more experienced roofing company like Roof Royale for your projects.
7. Can I Replace or Repair My Own Roof Without Hiring a Roofer?
We live in an age of the empowered DIYer, where it is tempting to handle most home repairs yourself, put yourself up to a new challenge, and save some money. But the problem is, if you don’t know what you are doing when you’re trying to replace or repair your roof by yourself, you can end up doing more damage to your roof and possibly to yourself, which will cost more money to fix.
Installing a new roof or carrying out some major roof repair projects is a labor-intensive task that requires a specialized skill set and a team of professionals who have lots of experience handling such projects. As tempting as it may seem, do not try to DIY your roof.
Also, we discovered that saving money is often a key motivation for most homeowners in Austin to try to DIY their roof and that’s why we at Austin Roof Royale have resulted to providing top-quality roofing jobs for homeowners in Austin and its surroundings at a very affordable rate.
We can help you get the job done faster, take a lot of the heavy lifting off your plate which allows you to concentrate on other parts of your home.
Conclusion
Roofing a house is a big investment and not one to be done haphazardly. It is important to get the right information in order to make a more informed decision like deciding who you are going to be working with, the type of roof that is best for your home, and whether you can afford the cost to carry out the project. If you’re looking for a trusted Austin roofer, give Roof Royale a call. We’re a locally-owned and operated roofing company serving Austin and its surrounding areas.
