Learn 10 Ways To Cut Costs When Your Home Needs A New Roof
It could be argued that the roof of your home is its most crucial component. It keeps water and rain from coming in, as well as harsh sunlight in the summer. In the winter, it keeps your heat in, and it keeps animals and wildlife out every day of the year. However, it does have to be replaced from time to time. No one wants to face that price tag, but when you consider the aesthetic and critical functions your roof serves, you have an easier time swallowing the cost. The specific price tag you face varies depending on many different factors, but it often ranges from $8,000 to as much as $20,000. According to 2014 costs data from Angie’s List, the specific average landed at $11,000.
Fortunately, if you have the time to do a few things or fall into the right circumstances, then there are ways to save money on your new roof. One good starting point is using high-quality roofing materials that last a long time so your investment is spread out over more years. 10 more ways to save money are discussed in the following paragraphs, with 5 of them being steps you can take initially and 5 more being ways you can save money over time after the roof is installed.
1) Shop Around: Unfortunately, the roofing business is full of players that don’t really give much thought to customer satisfaction. Since roof replacement is a job that only happens once every few decades, there’s not much point trying to get repeat business. Also, a lot of homeowners wind up making the mistake of choosing a roofer simply based on their prices, so a lot of roofing contractors go out and hire low-wage labor in order to deliver low prices and bids. All that means that you have to be very cautious about just who you hire. Get references from those you trust, be it neighbors, lumber yards, or tradespeople. Also look for lists of certified installers through major roofing manufacturer websites. At the time of writing, good sites to start with included gaf.com, owenscorning.com, and certainteed.com. Also, ask for client references from anybody you are thinking about. Check their reputations through the Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, and ContractorCheck.
2) Do Your Own Work: Home improvement stores, workshops, YouTube, television shows, and the Internet all add up to you being able to replace your own roof in many cases. Even if you can’t do it all, think about doing at least some of the work on your own by contacting Cincinnati roofing specialist. Should you have the right tools and an ability to handle heights, then you can cut costs by pulling your old roofing before your installer shows up. Just be sure that your contractor approves prior to your breaking out the fork and roof jacks. Just keep in mind that the work is dangerous, backbreaking, and dirty. You might also have to make your own arrangements for older material disposal.
3) Apply Your Insurance: Check with your homeowner’s insurance policy. If it’s like most, it might cover roof damage that wasn’t caused by simple neglect. If you have a few shingles knocked loose in a hailstorm, then your insurance might pay for some or even all of the cost of replacing them.
4) Get The Timing Right: Roofers and roofing companies are going to be at their busiest in the late summer season and then into the fall. If you can schedule your roof replacement later in winter or even in spring, you might get off-season discounts or lower prices. Also, if you can schedule your roofroof replacement alongside neighbors (all of whom might have suffered storm damage or something else at the same time you did) you might be able to arrange for a group discount for the neighborhood, or just your own street corner.
5) Never Pay Until The Magnet Shows Up: When you have old roofing stripped away, there might be 10,000 nails that come off with it. Most of that lands in your driveway, mulch, and grass. Roofing contractors have a useful tool that easily picks these up. It’s a huge magnet they roll around the yard on wheels to snatch up dropped fasteners so you and your family avoid flat tires and tetanus shots. Unfortunately, they don’t always actually remember to bring these useful tools to their job sites. So, if you notice nails around, and you’ll definitely know, then make sure you ask about the magnet if your roofer shows up looking for final payment.
While those 5 steps are useful ways to minimize your costs of having a new roof installed, did you know that there are also 5 potential ways to save money on a roof over time after it’s installed? Taking the right steps when your roof is installed can cut down your bills over the coming years, in terms of homeowner’s insurance, taxes, and utility bills.
1) Energy Star Shingles: Using Energy Star-rated shingles means you can have a ‘cool’ roofing system of shingles that reflect a lot of light and energy back up into the sky. That keeps your attic temperatures lower, cooling your summer home and possibly scoring you tax credits. Check with both your tax accountant and insurance agent for specific savings.
2) Compliance With Building Codes: In many cases, a new roof can bring your home into compliance with current building codes. That does wonders for your safety, but it can also have a beneficial impact on your home insurance rates.
3) Enhanced Shingle Wind Rating: The last decade has seen dramatic increases in the wind ratings of many shingles. The late 1990s meant you couldn’t often find shingles rated higher than 65 MPH. However, advances in technologies and science have created shingles with ratings up to 130 MPH. In general, higher wind ratings are better. That decreases the odds of your losing your roof, and possible homeowners insurance breaks.
4) Hurricane Straps: Depending on how old your home is, how your roof is physically attached to exterior walling might impact your insurance premiums too. You can typically have a toe-nailed attachment, clipped attachment, or hurricane straps. An upgrade to hurricane strapping means you can possibly save money on insurance rates and premiums, as your roof is more likely to stay put in place in high winds.
5) Enhanced Underlayment For Protection From Moisture: Underlayment is the name of the protective layer put underneath shingles. You might save money on your insurance with a synthetic upgrade known as ‘peel and stick’. It can be a secondary moisture barrier, giving your below wood further protection.
While the cost of a roof can carry a huge one-time price tag, if you want to make it as cheap as possible, it’s best to think of it in terms of how much the roof costs you every year over the course of its lifecycle. Invest in high-caliber materials that extend the life of your new roof to maximize your investment while also using these 5 ways to save money on a new roof now and 5 more things that save you money over time.
