New Roofs Can be Costly: You Should Understand Why
When it’s time to get a new roof, homeowners need to decide which companies for roofing in the North East will provide the best service. They’ll also choose which types of roofs fit their style and their budget. Roofing in Framingham MA and roofing in the northeast is complex and varied. Before you contact a roofing contractor to discuss your options, it may help to understand a bit more about the factors that can affect your estimate and final costs. This may help you know what to look for when comparing estimates. Here are just five of the factors that impact new roofing costs.
Consider these Five Factors when Replacing Your Roof
- Size: It makes sense that the larger your roof is, the more it will cost to replace. Because there’s more surface area to cover, your roofing contractors will require more materials and more labor to get the job done. If you’re dealing with a larger roof, you may need to explore other ways to save.
- Slope, Pitch, Valleys, and Peaks: Roofs that have a particularly steep slope or pitch typically cost more to replace. That’s because working on steep slopes is more dangerous for those who work with roofing in the North East and all around the country. In some cases, your roof may require additional safety equipment or labor hours, meaning your costs will be higher. Valleys and peaks are also harder to deal with than straight-across roofs, meaning that more materials and labor will be needed.
- Roofing Materials: The new roofing product you choose can also have a big effect on your final cost. Asphalt shingles tend to be the least expensive, while metal roofing tends to be on the higher end. However, it’s important for homeowners to think beyond the initial material cost. Some materials may be more affordable upfront but require more maintenance in the long run. And while green materials may be more expensive at the onset, they can pay off in the end. Choosing the right roofing material could lower your home’s energy needs by up to 30%. So when you choose materials for roofing in the North East, be sure to think about not only your roofing budget but big picture expenses.
- Roof Removal: When you install a new roof, you’ll typically have to remove everything that’s underneath first. The amount of labor required for your roof tear-off will usually determine the cost; the heavier that material is, the longer it will take to remove it. Failure to remove old shingles may void your warranty and could jeopardize the quality of the new installation. If you have multiple layers of shingles that have not been removed in the past, that’ll drive removal costs up, too.
- Accessibility: If your roofers have a tough time getting onto your roof, loading in equipment, and installing what’s necessary, your costs are simply going to be higher. This isn’t usually a problem for modern homes, but any domiciles that have little space between roofs on separate units or properties with lots of trees may cause issues for roofing companies. The extra difficulty will increase labor hours (and therefore costs) in the end.
Now that you know some of the main factors that can drive up roof installation costs, you may be able to determine the areas where you may be able to save — and ones that may not be entirely negotiable. That way, the roofing estimates you receive won’t come as a surprise and you can make more informed purchasing decisions.
