From spring to summer and fall to winter, your roof provides a solid defense against heat, rain, snow, hail, and wind. Even with constant exposure to extreme elements, it remains vigilant to protect your home and maintain its integrity.
When your roof is in bad shape or too old, it may be time to consider a replacement. A weakened roof system exposes your home to water damage, insect and rodent infestation, mold and mildew growth, structural damage, and higher utility bills.
So, when it’s time to replace your roof, you need to understand your options and make informed decisions. This is why we’ve put together a brief guide to help you determine how often you need a roof replacement, as well as what to expect in terms of cost and time frame for the project.
1. How Often You Could or Should Need a Replacement
How often you replace your roof comes down to a number of factors: the quality of materials used, the age of your roof, it’s current condition, what weather your roof has faced, and the quality of the original installation.
If you replaced your current roof, chances are you won’t need to replace it anytime soon. Newer shingle roofs can last as many as 50 years. If you aren’t the original person who had the roof replaced, it may be hard to know the age of your roof.
If you don’t know when your roof was installed, be on the lookout for signs of age and wear. You may need a new roof if your roof is showing any of these signs:
- A sagging or damaged roof deck
- Damaged or missing shingles
- Missing granules
- Exposed nails
- Moss is growing
While some issues are obvious, others are not. A roof inspection should inform your decision of having a new roof. An experienced contractor will be knowledgeable at assessing the types of shingles, their current condition, and let you know if a replacement is needed.
2. How the Cost of a Replacement is Determined
Every roof and every house is different, so the actual cost of a roof replacement is going to vary. When a contractor provides an estimate for a new roof, they take the following factors into consideration:
- Number of Stories: The higher the house is the more labor there is involved in getting the team and materials up to the roof. A two-story house will be more expensive than a single story,
- Pitch: Roofs with steep pitches, slopes, and changes in angle are more complex and take a longer period of time to reroof. A very steep roof is considered not to be walkable and requires additional planning, safety equipment, time, and labor to complete the roof properly.
- Old Roof Removal: The cost associated with old roof removal is determined by the number of shingle layers, the amount of time it takes to remove, and the disposal. The more or heavier the material removed, the more labor is involved in the tear-off and the more it costs to dispose of properly.
- Roofing Material: There are several different types of materials to choose from, in a wide range of prices for the outer layer and the layers underneath. Each material, like asphalt or wood shingles, will have varying costs affecting your roof replacement.
- Square Footage: The larger your roof is, the more it will cost to replace it. It’s worth noting the square footage of your roof is very different than your home’s. A ranch-style home will have more roof square footage than a two-story house.
Because every roof is different, it’s important to work with a reputable contractor. A good contractor will be happy to give you a full on-site estimate, discuss all the aspects of the project, answer any questions you have about your estimate, and be honest from the start.
3. How Long a Replacement Takes
While most roofs are fully installed within one working day, there are several factors affecting this time frame and could make your roof replacement go longer.
- The extent of Work: If the decking and other layers of the roof are damaged and have to be replaced, more time will be needed to get the job done.
- The complexity: Straightforward, shallow pitch roofs make it easier to get move around on, speeding things up. Conversely, time can go up for steep roofs and those with details like valleys, ridges, penetrations, and dormers. Crews will have to move slowly to remain safe and care must be taken to ensure all potential water entry points are properly covered.
- Type of Material: The material you choose to have installed also determines the length of your roof replacement. Some of the materials are heavier and others need more care.
- Weather/Season: Roof replacement should be done in warm, dry conditions, but sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate. Summers can get brutally hot and winter months can bring the project to a screeching halt. The crew will do their best to complete the work in inclement weather, but only if they are safe.
Here at Couto Construction, we want all our customers to know we have their best interests at heart. We are dedicated to getting the job done right the first time and making sure you get a quality roof. We promise to give your fair and honest pricing and make sure the process is painless and easy for you. We proudly serve Southern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod. Contact us today for a free estimate.
