A roof replacement is a significant investment. As with any home improvement project, you need to prepare a strict budget to ensure you don’t overspend. However, many homeowners only take into account the obvious costs, such as roofing materials and labor. No matter how well you research and prepare your roof replacement budget, your contractor may uncover additional costs that may drive up the project’s cost.
If you’re planning to replace your roof soon, continue reading. We will highlight six common factors that can increase the cost of your roof replacement and what you can do to avoid overspending.
What Factors Can Increase Your Roof Replacement Budget?
Doing initial research ahead of time is an important part of your roof replacement project. This is especially true if you have an older roof. Even if it has no severe damage but shows signs of aging, your roofers may still find something wrong with your roof. If they do, this can increase your roof replacement budget.
Below, we list six factors that can increase the cost of your roof replacement:
1. Poor Roof Design
If your roof is poorly installed and designed, it can lead to water traps. Many homeowners are often unaware of water traps until they replace their roofs. Keep in mind that water traps are extremely prone to leaks due to runoff areas that direct too much water to one place. They can lead to faster wear on your shingles and other materials, such as your bricks or siding. Should your roofer find water traps on your roof, the cost to fix the issue can increase the cost of your roof replacement.
2. Mold and Rotten Plywood
In humid areas, your roof will likely suffer from mold and termite damage. Before new shingles can be installed, your roofer needs to repair these issues, adding extra expenses to your roof replacement budget. If there are signs of mold growth on your roof, you can also expect moisture damage, such as leaks. Like water traps, leaks can go unnoticed until the shingles are removed during the project. These roof leaks can cause damage to your home, including rotten plywood. If there’s extensive damage, the material and labor cost to replace your rotten plywood can add to the budget of your roof replacement cost.
3. Seasonal Changes
Since roof replacement costs depend on the season, many roofers offer quotes that are only valid for a limited period. After all, labor costs often change based on local demand. During certain seasons, some roofers tend to get busier while not so much in other seasons. For this reason, the roofing estimate you receive today will be different or invalid after five months. In general, most roofers offer high prices in spring and lower prices in winter.
4. Roof Upgrades
By replacing your outdated roof with a modern, energy-efficient one, you can increase the value of your home. If you’re planning to sell your home, a roof replacement is a great idea to gain more marketable property. Whether you invest in energy-efficient materials, improve your ventilation or purchase more durable shingles, don’t forget to let your roofer know about any roof alterations you plan. Otherwise, they may give you the standard roof replacement estimate and fail to account for your upgrades. This can eventually increase the overall cost of your roof replacement.
5. Project Extension
Due to unforeseen circumstances, your roof replacement can extend beyond the expected timeline. One common reason this happens is because of inclement weather. As a homeowner, it’s worth noting that any exterior construction work, from siding to roof replacements, largely depends on the weather. In the event of rain and high winds, your roofer may need to delay your roof replacement. Additionally, if you live within a neighborhood with a homeowners association, you may need to get your project approved first before you start swinging the hammer.
6. Code Requirements
Has it been years since your home’s roof was last replaced? Your old roof may likely have been built to meet old building codes that no longer apply to new construction. If you need to replace your roof, you will be required to bring your roof up to code. While this is good news for your home’s energy efficiency and sustainability, this also means additional expenses.
What Can You Do to Avoid an Increase in Your Roof Replacement Cost?
If you’re wondering how you can prevent unexpected costs in your roof replacement, the honest answer is you can’t. Fortunately, there are ways you can do to stick to your budget:
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Add 15% to 20% to the budget. One of the best ways to avoid worrying about unexpected costs is to factor them into your budget. By adding 15% to 20% to the budget, you can take care of any hidden issues without impacting the rest of your roofing project. It’s better to be safe than sorry after all.
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Get detailed information. Before you start with your project, be sure to get a detailed breakdown of costs. This should include the cost of materials, labor, and all other upgrades you have in mind. A complete and detailed estimate can also help you decide which roofer you should hire for your roof replacement.
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Communicate with your roofer. Clear communication is key to a successful roof replacement. Thus, you should let your roofer know about any budget constraints up front. Doing so will help you remain aware of how your project is going and whether or not there are any issues. Communicating with your contractors will also help them determine the best way to achieve your vision.
At Paddy’s, we are happy to assist homeowners in their roof replacement. Although unexpected costs cannot be avoided in most cases, you can rest easy knowing our team will guide you in every step of the project. Count on us to install siding, gutters and chimneys as well. Give us a call at (302) 388-3625, or fill out our online contact form to request an estimate.
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