Like all physical objects, roofs eventually degrade and decay. If you invest in quality materials, you have a good roofer, and you keep up with maintenance on your end, you can make a roof last for decades. At the same time, weathering and storms can make it so a roof wears out in less than 10 years.
As a homeowner who intends to live in this house for the foreseeable future, you’re eventually going to need to replace your roof. However, roof replacements can be very expensive. So is there any way to save money on your roof replacement?
Make Sure You Need a Roof Replacement
Before you get too excited about the idea of replacing your roof, you should take a step back and ensure that you actually need to pursue this course of action. Your roof may have problems, and it may even be leaking into your house, but that doesn’t always necessitate a full replacement.
For example, it could be that some of your shingles have worn out or some of your flashing is eroding. It could also be that there were issues installing your roof the first time around. Before you commit to a full roof replacement, you should consider getting your roof professionally inspected, so you can determine the best course of action. In many cases, a simple repair or a round of maintenance might be all it takes to restore your roof to full operative condition.
As you can likely surmise, merely repairing a roof is much more cost-efficient than fully replacing it. Don’t jump the gun and replace the roof if there’s a good reason for you to avoid this course of action.
Find the Right Contractor
Find a good roofing contractor who offers you a good price. It’s very likely that there are many roofing contractors in your area, and even though they might be using the same materials and doing the same work, they might charge very different prices.
This is going to require significant due diligence on your part. You should research the roofing contractors in your area and evaluate them based on reviews, ratings, testimonials, and comments from people who have given you referrals. You should also get multiple quotes, comparing them apples to apples. In other words, you should get very similar quotes from different roofing contractors so you can compare them effectively. Just because someone offers you a cheap price doesn’t mean they’re going to offer you the best value for your money.
At a minimum, you should investigate three different roofing contractors and compare them against each other. This way, you’ll be much more likely to find the best price for what you need.
Choose the Right Materials
There are many different types of roofing materials available, and there are different philosophies on which ones work best. The best roofing material for your needs is going to depend on where you live, what your budget is, and what your ultimate goals are. You don’t need to overspend on top-of-the-line materials if you’re going to move in the near future or if you live in a relatively calm area. But for some people, it’s worth making the investment in the highest quality materials possible.
Schedule in the Off Season
Fall is arguably the “ideal” season for scheduling a roof repair. The weather is cooler, roofing contractors can get more done in less time, and you can have access to a new roof during the harsh winter. But one of the drawbacks here is that many people flock to roofing contractors in the fall, overwhelming them with scheduled repairs. If you want to get the best possible price, it might make sense to schedule your roof replacement in the off season.
Tap Into Your Insurance Policy
Depending on how and why your roof was damaged, you might be able to tap into your home insurance policy to pay for the replacement. If this is merely a result of years of wear and tear, this may not be an available option to you. But if your roof was totally ruined in a storm, insurance might be able to bail you out.
Negotiate
Don’t be afraid to negotiate. If you know what type of roof you want and you have your eye on a particular contractor, ask if they’d be willing to lower their price slightly to win your business.
Utilize Financing
There are many ways to secure financing for a roof replacement. If you don’t have the cash on hand, consider taking out a home equity loan or something similar to pay for the job.
Replacing a roof is typically expensive, but it’s a necessary move to keep your house protected. With these strategies and others, you should be able to get access to the best contractors and the best prices to make your house structurally sound.