3 Ways To Lower The Cost Of Your Roof Replacement
The average cost for a new roof falls between $5,351 and $10,670. This a large chunk of money for many homeowners; if your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, you may wonder how you will fit the cost of a new roof into your budget.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make a roof replacement more affordable. Follow these tips to lower the cost of your new roof.
1. Stick With Your Initial Selections for Your New Roof
When you request quotes from local roofing companies, you need to know what kind of roof you want and any additional work that you want the roofing company to complete (such as replacing your gutters or shingling a shed). This ensures that you receive a quote that's as accurate as possible.
However, if you change the work that you want the roofing company to complete after they've already started, this will increase the price of the job. Not only will the roofing company have to charge you for the work they've already done, but they'll potentially have to undo their progress, adding more labor hours and materials to the job.
For example, imagine that you select a new color for your roof. Once the roofers get started, you start second-guessing your decision and want a different shingle color. Or maybe you initially went with asphalt shingles and now wish you had chosen architectural shingles. While it's possible to switch to a new shingle, this adds to your final cost.
One way you can ensure you're happy with the details of your new roof is by requesting samples of shingles that you're interested in. If possible, ask the roofer to lay a few shingles on your roof so that you'll have a better idea of how the shingles will look once they're in place. Even if you need to pay for the sample shingles, this is cheaper than changing the roof once part of it is in place.
2. Look Into a Roof Overlay
You have a couple of options for how to handle your existing roof. One option is to remove your current shingles so that your roofing company will lay the new shingles directly on your home's roof mat.
Another possibility is overlaying the new shingles onto your existing shingles. This means that your roof will have two layers of shingles. Since the roofing company won't have to tear off and haul away your old shingles, this significantly decreases the cost of the job.
However, there are some risks with opting for a roof overlay. Your roofer won't have the chance to examine the portion of your home underneath your current shingles. Damage under the shingles might go undetected.
The cost of your next roof replacement will be even more expensive because the roofer will have to remove two layers of shingles; most building codes only permit two layers of shingles. You also want to check that your home's frame is capable of supporting the weight of two roofs.
3. Use Your Homeowner's Insurance
If your roof has damage, it's possible to use your homeowner's insurance policy to assist with the cost of a new roof. You will make a claim on your policy, and if it's approved, your insurance company will issue a check for your new roof less the amount of your insurance deductible.
You might not think that your roof has any damage that would qualify it for an insurance claim. However, if you live in an area with frequent thunderstorms, you likely have some type of hail damage to your roof. A roofing company can examine your roof for signs of damage, like cracked shingles and shingles with missing granules, and write a report for your insurance company.
To learn more, contact a resource like the Durable Roofing Company.