Being a homeowner has its advantages, but it also means that you need to take care of repairs and any problems on your own. It can be frustrating, especially if things just keep going wrong, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. There are things you can do to lower your expenses over time. One of the best ways to do this is to take the proper care of your home by doing regular preventative maintenance—especially on your roof. Roofing maintenance will help to elongate the life of your roof by 5-10 years and will save you money. Unfortunately, roofs don’t last forever and they eventually need to be replaced. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about replacing your roof on a budget.
Understanding Roof Repairs vs. Replacement
Before talking about a few money saving tactics, you need to understand the difference between simple roofing repairs and roof replacements. Knowing how to spot the difference will save you in the long run and ensure that you’re not wasting time or money. Some of the most common roofing repairs include repairing damaged flashing, resealing joints around skylights, patching any punctures from harsh weather, debris, or pests, repairing the vent boot, and replacing any damaged or missing shingles. If the damage is minor, then repairs can be done and your roof likely won’t need to be replaced. Always get a professional inspection before making any repairs so that you understand the extent of the damage and can proceed knowing all of the variables.
The Basics of Roof Replacement
The process of replacing your roof starts with removing the old shingles and disposing them. If the foundation is in good condition, you won’t need any structural repairs. If there are damages, now is the time to take care of them—before installing a new roof. Next, your roofing contractor will start laying down the roofing paper and sheathing. Depending on the type of roof you’re getting and the state of your previous roof, your contractor might apply new flashing. After this, the shingle work starts, the finishing flashing is installed, and the cleanup begins. While it seems straightforward, there are a number of things that go into a roof replacement and should therefore, always be done by a professional. It’s just not worth it to do it yourself if you’re not experienced as it will likely end up costing you much more down the line.
How to Replace Your Roof on a Budget
Unfortunately, if you need to get a roof replacement, it’s going to cost you a bit of money. While replacing your roof might not have been in your budget for this year, it doesn’t have to completely break the bank. Just remember that taking care of any signs of damage before it gets too late and replacing your roof when necessary will help you save money in the long run, so it’s worth the investment. Your roof replacement costs are based on several factors, including where you live. For more information on how much a roof replacement costs based on your area, type of home, and other factors, click here. Once you get a better idea on costs, check out these seven ways to help you replace your roof on a budget.
Get Organized
First and foremost, you’ll need to get organize and create an outline of your roofing needs, plans, and goals. When you put a plan in place, you’ll be able to better understand where the costs are coming from, what to expect to pay, and how to plan for the future. There are a lot of variables that go into roof replacement that can impact costs. The size of your roof will be one of the largest variables. The type of roofing materials you use, how much debris you have built up on your current roof, your home’s overall structure, and any contractor and permits that will be needed should be considered.
Do Research
Next, start doing research into the different types of roofing materials that are available to you. Some materials are more affordable than others so even if it’s not your ideal look, it could help you save hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars. Look at all of the pros and cons of each type of roofing material available in addition to the cost so you make a decision based on all of the factors involved. Once you’ve done a bit of research, use an online estimator to determine how much it will cost to replace your roof.
Look into Insurance
Depending on your homeowner’s insurance, you may be eligible to have some of your roof replacement costs covered. For example, if you need to get a roof replacement due to bad weather, your insurer might be responsible for the full replacement cost minus your deductible. If your roof replacement is due to neglect, you will be responsible for the costs. Talk to your provider to learn more about what your homeowner’s insurance means for roof replacements.
Plan for the Unexpected
This goes without saying, but always expect the unexpected. Even if you plan things to the key and find yourself right inside your budget, things can go wrong—or unplanned. Unfortunately, as with many renovations, home repairs, and replacements, something is bound to come up during the process that will cost extra money. The problem with roofing replacements is that your roofing contractor might not know the extent of the damage until the old roof is torn up. There could be rotted foundation, structural support that needs repairing, or water damage. Always plan for the unexpected so you don’t wind up over your head.
Consider Doing the Preparations Yourself
While we don’t recommend replacing your roof on your own, some homeowners opt to remove old roofing on their own to save costs. This will cut down the cost of a roof repair substantially, as the roofing contractor will be able to get started immediately with inspections and installing the new roof. If you do plan to do this yourself, make sure that you take all the proper precautions and use the right equipment. Most importantly, talk to your roofing contractor about this before doing it. Your roofing contractor might prefer to do the removal on their own and, at the very least, you’ll want to learn how much you’re saving for the amount of work you’re going to be doing. If you get the greenlight, figure out where you’re going to dispose of the old materials and factor in the cost of disposal.
Be Open to Communication
If you have any questions for your roofing contractor, make sure to ask them upfront and keep an open line of communication throughout the entire process. Your roofing contractor knows what they’re doing, so take their suggestions and recommendations into consideration, even if it means straying from your budget a bit. For example, while one type of roofing material may be the lowest in cost, it might only last for 10-12 years while the alternative material is a little more expensive yet will last for 25 years. Think long-term and talk to your contractor about all of your options.
Hire a Reputable Roofing Contractor
Finally, the best way to replace your roof on a budget is to find a reputable roofing contractor that knows what they’re doing. If you hire a budget contractor, you’re probably going to find yourself with more repairs and a more stressful upkeep immediately following the roof replacement. Again, the longevity of your roof replacement costs needs to be considered and while you might save some money upfront with a cheap company, you’ll end up paying more later.
When to Call the Professionals
If you notice any signs of damage or think that your roof might need to be replaced, contact the professionals at Steadfast Roofing today. Our team of roofing contractors will come out and make a professional inspection to determine the best course of action. We’re trained to spot even the smallest signs of damage so we can fix the problems before they get out of hand. All of our roofing professionals have the experience and expertise you want when getting a detailed roof inspection and replacing your roof. We’ll provide an affordable estimate on the spot so that you don’t suffer through the annoyances, and costs, of prolonged damage.
The experienced roofing contractors at Steadfast Roofing are here to make sure your roofing job is done efficiently with no hidden costs. To contact an experienced roofing contractor from Steadfast Roofing, give us a call today to learn about how you can get a free inspection at (813)279-1950.
