What Factors Go Into The Cost of a New Roof
No two roofs are going to be the same, so the price will vary from roof to roof. There are many factors that go into determining the cost of a new roof. So to better help you understand where your investment goes when making this purchase, I’ve comprised a list of the factors that have a direct effect on the price.
- The type of materials you choose
- Labor and time
- Installation method
- Enhanced warranty requirements
- The roof’s accessibility
- The number of penetrations
- Roof size and the complexity of it
- The amount of decking that may need to be replaced
- Dump fees
- Operating costs
While going through these factors here are some things you should keep in mind for the rest of the article:
- The appearance of your new roof, such as color and style.
- The products and materials you choose to use. Think about things like longevity, warranty, quality and wind rating.
- Your time frame for getting the work done.
- Your budget.
1) The type of materials you choose Before we get to this first factor just be aware there are other types of roofs you can choose. These include metal, wood, and slate just to name a few. It’s all up to what look you want and your budget. These types of roof get expensive quickly and can be double or even triple the cost of an asphalt roof. Like I said before, we’re going to concentrate on asphalt for this article. The materials you choose will have the most impact on the cost of a new roof. The price of standard dimensional/architectural shingles across all the manufacturers don’t vary that much. But when it comes to accessories, there is a huge price difference between them. The main materials you will choose are:
- Ventilation: Proper ventilation allows your attic to breathe and will allow you to get the full life out of your roof. There are different types of ventilation systems and vents that go with each. Proper ventilation is one of the most important components of your roof.
- Underlayment: This is the material that is used beneath your shingles. It’s an extra layer of protection. There are different grades of underlayment to choose from and the better the quality, the higher the price.
- Shingles: There are several types of shingles with various styles to choose from. They range from builders grade all the way up to luxury style shingles that look like real slate.
- Metal Flashing: This is the metal that will be used for flashing where the shingles butt up against places, such as a wall or a chimney, or in open valleys. Metal flashing stops water from being able to penetrate at certain junctions of the roof. The most commonly used are made from aluminum, steel or copper.
2) Labor and time Labor and time are two of the main factors a project manager takes into consideration when calculating the price of a new roof. The labor cost of each man on a crew is based on their skill level, experience, and how much they can get done in a day. The time it takes to do a job is also a factor. If the roof is complex and hard to access then it’s going to take more time and manpower to complete. 3) The installation method you choose You do have choices. The truth is, there is a huge difference between installation methods. You can have your roof installed using the hand nailed or air nailed method. For most roofing companies, the air nailed method is the most popular method of installing a roof. The labor is cheaper and it’s faster which allows them to move on to the next project quicker. Hand nailing makes sure every nail is in the proper place before hammering it in. A well trained hand nailer can hammer in a nail straight and tight. When a roofing company has an experienced crew and has high standards for installation, hand nailing is unnecessary. Though we respect the craftsmanship, it is an old fashioned method of installing shingles. Choosing the right contractor will give you peace of mind whether they hand or air nail. 4) Choosing the enhanced manufacturer’s warranty Only roofing companies that are certified by the manufacturer can offer you an enhanced warranty. The top manufacturers have a 50-year non-prorated warranty on the entire roof system and a 25-year warranty on the workmanship. In order to get the enhanced warranty, the roof system must be installed by a roofing company certified by the manufacturer and a minimum of three of the manufacturer’s components must be used. 5) Roof accessibility Accessibility is the ability to access the roof for tearing off the old roof and getting those torn off materials into the dump truck and then getting the new materials back up to the roof for installation. What can make your roof hard to access?
- The amount of shrubbery or landscaping you have around your house.
- Having a fence.
- How far away the materials and dump truck are from the place where the installers will be getting on your roof.
For example, a home with rows of shrubbery, a fence, and a driveway that is far away from where the installers can get on your roof will have a greater cost than a home with a roof that is easy to get to. 6) The number of roof penetrations A roof penetration is anything that pokes out of your roof. Some of the common penetrations that your roof might have are:
- Plumbing vents
- Gas vents
- Kitchen and bathroom vents
- Skylights
- Chimneys
Pipes don’t add that much to the cost. But bigger penetrations such as skylights and chimneys take longer to flash and to work around so they naturally add more to the cost of a roof. 7) Your roof size and the complexity of it A large roof with many facets, hips, valleys, and pitches will cost more to roof than a simple ranch style roof. A roof that is cut up with a high number of facets at multiple angles, hips, valleys, and a steep pitch is more difficult and takes a lot longer to roof than a simple ranch style roof with only two or four roof facets. The taller the roof, the more precautions the installers have to take. For their own safety, they have to move slower and more carefully. This adds time to the job. 8) The amount of decking that may need to be replaced Decking is the sheets of plywood that your roof is laid on. It can be difficult to tell what the condition of your roof’s decking is until the old roof has been torn off. If your roofer knows you need it replaced at the start, it will be included in the original estimate. On the other hand, if they find that your decking is bad while tearing off the old roof, the cost will be added to the final invoice. In your estimate, you will be given the price to replace any bad decking that is found during the tear-off phase. 9) Dump fees When your roof is torn off, those materials go into a dump truck and are hauled off to a local dumpsite. The dumpsites charge significant fees for this service and they are going up all the time. Plus, there is the cost of the driver doing this job. 10) The operating expenses of the company you choose Every company has operating expenses to keep their business going. These are some common operating cost:
- Building cost and utilities, shop and truck yard
- Advertising and promotions
- Vehicles (fuel and insurance)
- General liability insurance
- Workers compensation insurance
- Licenses and bonds
- Training
- Payroll and payroll taxes
- Taxes (Federal and local government)
These are just some of the fixed operating costs that it takes to run a business. No matter if a roofing company does a simple repair or replaces 10 roofs, these are the costs that have to be paid every day. No matter what work you get done or what service you need, operating expenses will always factor into an estimate or final cost. It’s important to ensure that the company you choose is, at a bare minimum, licensed and insured. Ready to replace your roof? Like I said earlier, every roof is different. I hope I’ve given you an idea of what your investment will be when you decide to get your roof replaced. Even with all of that said, sometimes your only out of pocket expense for a new roof will be your insurance deductible. If you’d like to see if you qualify, click here to find out. At EZ Roofing, you’ll be in the hands of someone who has a track record of doing the highest quality work, runs their business with integrity, and a company who always stays true to their word. . We take care of you to give you the peace of mind you need. And remember, if a customer of mine has a problem, then I have a problem. We will take care of your home like it’s our own! Contact EZ Roofing today to get an inspection and let us guide you through the process of getting your new roof.
