Tupac de la Cruz, Roofing Solutions
21 Dec 2023
After years of keeping rain, snow and even squirrels out, eventually, you will need to replace your roof. And if you live in an area prone to bad weather, you may need to replace it sooner than expected.
A new roof should provide protection from the elements and a sense of relief, not a financial burden. When investing in a new roof system, you can lower your roof replacement cost by following some simple steps.
The best way to reduce long-term costs is to take care of your current roof through proper roof system maintenance. Improper maintenance can deteriorate your roof, leading to leaks, ponding water and mold.
Proper low-cost roof maintenance includes:
Keep your roof clean of accumulated leaves, dirt, and other debris so water can drain properly. If water cannot drain properly, mold and/or a deteriorated roof membrane can develop. This is especially the case near drains, in the gutters, and on flat sections. Trim tree branches that hang over the roof to reduce debris and potential roof damage.
Too often, a leak or other serious damage are what helps discover roof problems. Most building owners can spot obvious roof problems without getting on a ladder. However, professional roofing contractors receive training to inspect and uncover roof damage not visible to an untrained eye. A comprehensive roof inspection includes:
Regularly scheduled maintenance is the best way to identify small or potential issues before they become big expenses. Professional preventive maintenance includes inspecting and cleaning drains; removing debris; inspecting penetrations, seams and flashings; inspecting the entire roof area for damage; and completing repairs as needed.
Maintenance often is an easy target when it comes to budgeting. This is so because it can seem like you are paying for things that aren’t broken. But when you postpone preventive roof maintenance, you only realize short-term savings.
According to a Professional Roofing article, “Paybacks of preventive maintenance” published by the National Roofing Contractors Association, once a roof system begins to deteriorate — and it certainly will without maintenance — it will result in leaks and other problems. These will affect an organization’s bottom line in many ways, such as:
Following these three preventive measures will extend the life cycle of your roof and reduce expenses in the long run. For more information about roof repair and maintenance, visit everybodyneedsaroof.com, an official website of the National Roofing Contractors Association.
But when the inevitable time comes to replace your roof, you have two options. First, you can re-cover your existing roof by installing a new roof directly on top of your existing roof. Alternatively, you can choose a complete replacement of your roof, which involves tearing off your existing roof. In many areas, building code requirements allow no more than one roof re-cover before a complete replacement is necessary.
When it’s time to replace your roof system, there are ways to reduce your installation costs.
The cost of a new roof varies depending on various factors. For example: materials selected, size of the building’s roof, location of the building, local labor rates, time of year, the contractor doing the work, and disposal fees to remove and discard your old roofing materials.
Installing a new roof system is an investment and and upgrade to your property. Roofing costs generally fall into three categories.
The costs to install a new roof system varies depending on the materials needed and selected. The materials needed for a new roof system include:
Professional, skilled workers tear off and remove your old roof and install a new one. Depending on the age of your roof, you may need to remove several layers of built-up roofing. Built-up roofing (also called BUR) is the most common roofing material used on low-slope roofs because it creates a continuous sealed surface. Alternating layers of reinforcing fabric and bitumen (asphalt) make up built-up roofing, topped off with a layer of aggregate (such as gravel or stone). In addition to removing your old roof, you may need to repair or replace the roof deck before a new roof can be installed.
In addition to new materials and labor to install them, the roofing materials removed need to go somewhere — either by recycling them or throwing them away, and both incur costs. Costs for roof replacement disposal vary according to the size and complexity of the roof system removed. These are important factors that affect how much does it cost to replace a roof.
Although you can’t control the actual cost of materials, there are a few things you can do to reduce the overall cost of your roofing project.
Roofing projects are complex. Understand the size of your roof. If you don’t know, schedule a professional roof inspection and gather measurements. One roofing square equals 100 square feet of roofing material. Once you know how many square feet you want to cover, familiarize yourself with the complexities of your specific project, the roofing materials available and what you want to install.
There are many options to choose from when it comes to roofing materials. However, keep in mind that not every material is good on every roof. Asphalt shingles are the most common material used on roofs. Meanwhile, commercial roof systems use mostly these materials:
In the Gulf Coast region, the most common roofing materials used on commercial roofs are metal and SBS-modified bitumen. Typically, metal roofing withstands winds between 110 mph and 160 mph. Galvalume® steel (steel coated with aluminum-zinc alloy) and aluminum-based roofing resist salt corrosion. Metal roofs also can last more than 50 years and are recyclable. These traits make them a popular choice for owners of commercial roof systems in this region.
SBS-modified bitumen is another common commercial roofing material of choice. This roofing type is made from asphalt and rubber. It is exceptionally flexible and an ideal solution for flat roofs.
For each roofing material, there are different grades and corresponding prices. There also are a variety of styles and shapes. Look at the full range of products available for your roof and make a choice based on your budget and needs. Once you’ve done some research, you’ll be able to discuss the details of your project with a professional roofing contractor.
When shopping around for roofing companies, be wary of extremely low bids. Low prices are nice, but something that sounds too good to be true should raise a red flag. Low bids sometimes mean low-quality work. Check with your state’s consumer protection agency (www.usa.gov/state-consumer) to make sure the company you work with is licensed and insured.
Also, check to see whether the contractor is a member of any local, state, regional or national roofing associations, such as the National Roofing Contractors Association. Ask about worker credentials and whether the commercial roof replacement company you choose is ProCertified® to install the roof system you want. For more tips on evaluating a professional roofing contractor, visit everybodyneedsaroof.com.
Roofing contractors generally are busiest during late summer and early fall. This is because there is a push to complete projects before the end of the season. And this is when building owners usually start thinking about preparing for a change in seasons. It’s best to work in advance of the start of the season. Contact your roofing contractor before the season starts to secure your spot on the calendar. If you wait until the end of the season, you may need to wait until next year. But scheduling your roofing project in late winter or early spring may yield lower prices and off-season discounts.
Insurance covers roof damage not caused by neglect. For example, if hailstones puncture the roof membrane and cause your roof to leak, your insurer may pay for some or all the roof system replacement. If a weather event damages your roof, document the damage as soon as possible. Take detailed photos and videos of your roof’s condition.
Also, make sure to contact a public adjuster (www.yourneighborhoodadjuster.com/what-is-public-adjuster) before contacting your insurance company. A public adjuster is an independent insurance professional who will help you settle the value of your claim. When you submit your insurance claim, your insurance company will send out their own adjuster who will inspect the damage and decide the amount the insurance company will provide for roof repairs.
This is why it’s good to contact a public adjuster first. You should be prepared for the insurance adjuster’s inspection based on the public adjuster’s inspection. Working with an experienced roofing contractor also is valuable throughout this process. Your roofing professional will know where to look for damage and assist you with determining the costs of repairs.
Remember, replacing your roof is an investment. You want a roof system that will last for years to come at an affordable price. Before starting a new roofing project, conduct some research to become familiar with materials and options. Doing so will help you be confident you are cutting costs without cutting corners.
