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5 Ways To Reduce Roof Replacement Costs
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The average cost of replacing a roof is over $20,000. Therefore, most people want to avoid or at least reduce such an expense. While it is tempting to delay roof repairs, such deferred action can lead to more costly repairs and even to damages to the rest of the house. Below are five ways to prevent or reduce roof replacement costs.
The average cost of replacing a roof is over $20,000. Therefore, most people want to avoid or at least reduce such an expense. While it is tempting to delay roof repairs, such deferred action can lead to more costly repairs and even to damages to the rest of the house. Below are five ways to prevent or reduce roof replacement costs.
Preventive Measures
While no roof will last forever, you can significantly extend its life by taking the following actions:
– Always get your roof inspected after a major storm. Even unknown minor damage can turn into a roof replacement if left untreated.
– Get periodic roof inspections of at least once every two years.
– Keep your gutters and other water removal systems clean and flowing. Make sure water is not puddling on your roof.
– Be alert for signs of water leakage inside your house, especially on the upper floor and attic.
Shop Around
When needing any kind of roofing work, you need to shop around. Try to get personal references for roofers from your friends and neighbors. Check the roofer’s business ratings and reviews. Always get multiple quotes and insist on a detailed written estimate before hiring a roofer. If you indeed do need a roof replacement, you should get some sort of warranty on the parts and materials – in writing.
Buy Materials Yourself
About 50% of the cost of a roof replacement is for the materials. You can often save some money by shopping around and buying the needed materials yourself. While the roofer will not stand behind such used materials, they should still give you a warranty on their workmanship. The materials you buy should come with their own warranty if you buy them from a reputable supplier.
Explore Using An Overlay
There is a technique available from some roofers called an overlay. This is where the old roof is sealed and then covered with a new layer of shingles or other roofing materials. This saves money because the roofer then doesn’t have to rip off and remove your old roof first. However, this method can lead to higher costs down the road, because a future roof repair or replacement will then require the removal of two layers of roofing.
Use Insurance
Sometimes insurance can help you pay for roof repairs or replacement. If you are buying a new or newer home, ask if you can buy a home owner’s warranty (similar to a new car warranty) that includes roof repair coverage. Most home owner’s insurance policies cover costs for damages caused by storms, floods and fires. If your roof is damaged by any of these causes, check with your insurance agent to see if the needed repairs to your roof are covered by the insurance policy. Another source of help is the government, if your home is located in a declared disaster area.
