Factors that Impact Roof Replacement Cost
When looking for a contractor to do your roof replacement project, the price they charge might be a big factor in your decision. The cost of a roof replacement depends on various factors, such as the materials, the roof size, the style of your roof and how complex it is, etc.
Roof Size
One of the most obvious factors that will affect the cost of your roof replacement project is the size of your roof. Your contractor will use your roof’s square footage and then multiply that by their rate per sq ft. If your home has overhangs, walkways, or a lanais then that’ll add to the square footage and cause an increase of price. Don’t forget about the garage, either! You will likely need to get that replaced around the same time as your home if it’s not attached.
Roof Slope
The slope of a roof can impact the pricing you get on your estimate. If your roof is really steak and unable to be walked on, then the price is going to be a bit higher than a flatter roof or a low slope roof. There will be a higher price per sq ft, and there will also probably be a charge for the extra machinery needed to do the roof (such as a crane and any safety precautions).
Waste Factor
Depending on how many gables and hips there are on your roof and the way it’s shaped, there could be a lot of waste when roofer’s are applying shingles. Since they come in sheets, they need to be cut in certain ways to fit certain spots, so if your roof has a lot of corners and valleys then the waste percentage is going to be higher, and so will the cost of your project.
Square Footage of Your Roof
The larger your home, the bigger the amount of square footage it is. If you have a smaller home, there’s less square feet so there’s a lot less to do than a larger home with a larger square footage.
Roofing Materials
Depending on the types of materials used on your roofing project, the cost to get it done can go up. If you go with tougher shingles and want a specific designer one that has a certain design, then it is going to be more than going with traditional shingles.
Geographical Area
Where you are located can also effect the price of your roof. If you live in an area with an HOA, they might require certain colors or styles of shingles that can be more pricey. If you live on the west coast of the United States, your prices will probably be different than those of people living on the east coast as there are specific material and installation requirements that depend on the state/local energy/building codes. For example, homes built in places with lots of snow will require tougher shingles that can support the weight, while those built in places where it’s hot all of the time won’t have to worry about that.
Condition of Existing Roof
If your roof is in very bad shape and has holes in it, interior water damage, or any structural issues then it is going to be a lot more than if it were just the shingles that needed replaced. The roofer’s will need to replace the underlayment and possibly even the plywood and decking of your roof, so that will indefinitely increase the total price of your roof replacement.
Local Building Permits and Inspections
Depending on your city’s code, your roofer will most likely need to get a permit and have inspections done. While it is different for every contractor, most contractor’s will charge their customers for any permit or fee they need to pay in order to do their roof.
Material Disposal Fees
Most contractors will add a disposal fee to the total price in the estimate. This should cover the dumpster and the removal of waste materials from your property to a landfill. Depending on how large your roof is and how much waste is produced, the fee might be quite large. Between everything that was torn off of your roof and the scrap materials the waste can add up and fill a dumpster quickly, so they might have to make multiple trips to dispose of it.
Extended Warranties
Some contractors offer extended warranties on your roof in addition to the warranty from the materials manufacturer. This can add to the overall cost of the project.
Ventilation
If your contractor notices and confirms that you do not have a proper ventilation system in your attic, then the installation of an adequate system can impact the price of your project.
Roofing Contractor Rates
Some contractors have higher rates for their services, and that could be because they use higher quality material for their projects or because they are very experienced and can get the roof done faster and nicer than other nearby companies, so their pricing might be higher compared to others in the area. In order to make sure you aren’t being overcharged, though, be sure to get an estimate from at least two or three different contractors to compare/contrast the estimates.
