DIY vs. Professional Roofing Replacement: Which Is Better?
See a few bald spots on your roof? Wish you could have a new roof that looks great and keeps the bad weather out? It may be time to replace it. Once you start to do some research into the cost of replacing a roof, you may start wondering if DIY roofing is a good choice. While we think that hiring a professional is the best bet for a good result (and your own safety), we’re happy to help you compare them. Use these factors as you make a decision.
Can You Replace a Roof DIY?
Like most other home improvements, DIY roof replacement is technically possible, even if it’s not always practical. Statistically, roofing is one of the deadliest jobs in construction, largely due to the risk of falling. If you know what you’re doing and you have the right equipment, you might be able to minimize the risk. But this project may be far beyond the skills of the average homeowner.
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How Much Does It Cost to Shingle a Roof Yourself?
The cost of DIY roof shingles is about $3,000 to $6,000, depending on the materials and the size of your roof. Getting a new roof is a labor-intensive job, which is why labor makes up about 40% to 60% of the cost of professional roof replacement. If you’re willing to do all that labor yourself, you can save up to 60% of the total. Just remember that do it yourself roofing is a lot of hard, physical work, and it’s not done on the ground. If you’re not very comfortable getting the supplies to the roof and working up there for hours, you’re better off hiring a professional.
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How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Roof DIY?
Replacing a roof can cost a few thousand dollars more than adding new shingles, depending on the material you choose. With certain types of roofing materials, like asphalt, you may be able to add a new layer of shingles right on top of the old ones. But if you’re switching from asphalt to tile or from tile to metal, you’ll have hours of demolition work ahead of you.
Professionals charge about $1,000 to $1,500 just to remove the old material. You can save money on that if you’re willing and able to invest a few extra days and a trip to dispose the debris. You should keep in mind that switching material may change the weight, which is a crucial figure for your roofing structure. Clay tiles are heavy, and slate is even heavier. You may need to add support to the structure before you can install them, or you risk damaging it.
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Is It Cheaper to Replace Your Own Roof?
If you compare actual costs for DIY roof installation compared to hiring a professional, roofing DIY is cheaper. However, it’s wise to consider opportunity cost and other non-monetary expenses, as well. If you’re caught up for a week or longer working on your roof, that’s a week of time you don’t have available to do paid work, spend time on other projects or hang out with your family.
Getting ready to replace your roof and need to make a budget? We’ve got figures on the cost of a new roof right here.
Reasons to Schedule Professional Roofing Replacement
When you think that you can save thousands of dollars on the project, it’s tempting to forget about hiring a professional. But professional roofing replacement has benefits, as well. Here are a few that we think are the most important.
1. Safety
Safety is the biggest factor for any work on your roof. When you are replacing your roof by yourself, you’re not just clearing debris. You need to transport thousands of square feet of materials. Once you have everything you need, you still have to spend many hours on your roof installing it. With a professional roofing company, you can spend your time safely on the ground.
2. Accuracy
Having a roof that will protect you and the structure is vital. You need to install the shingles in a way that provides a tight seal, or you’ll end up with wind or water damage. If you don’t know how to inspect the roof decking before you add new shingles, you may end up hiding an existing problem that will get worse later. A professional knows what to look for and can usually do it much faster.
3. Value
Saving money on labor is an important factor, but it also implies that your own time isn’t valuable. Investing money into professional work gives you a better value, but it also acknowledges that your own time is worth as much.
Is It Worth Doing Your Own Roof?
For most people, doing your own roof isn’t worth it. If you already spend a lot of time fixing things on your roof, you may have the skills needed for this project. Otherwise, you can save yourself a lot of stress and heavy labor by hiring the experts at Bromwell Construction Company. We offer a variety of roofing services, from repair to replacement. For the roof repair Delaware homeowners trust, request an estimate today.