Northeast Gutters and Remodeling

Whether it’s a roof or siding installation, a home improvement project is an important investment. As a homeowner, you need to prepare carefully to get it right the first time. If you’re thinking of replacing your roof, the first thing you need to do is prepare a budget. It will help you determine how much money to set aside to complete the job.  

However, many homeowners only account for obvious details in their budget, such as shingles and labor costs. No matter how well researched your roof replacement budget may be, your roofing contractor may uncover additional costs that are beyond your or their control. This is especially true if you live in an older home. 

Here are some of the unexpected factors that can increase the cost of your roof replacement. 

Structural Damage

If this is your first time replacing your roof, you might assume that a roof replacement project only involves replacing the outer roof covering, such as the asphalt shingles. However, if it’s been a while since you’ve replaced your gutters, your roofer may perform a gutter installation as well. Meanwhile, in humid areas of the country, your roofer may find mold and termite damage. These problems will need to be addressed before new shingles can be installed, which can add costs to your roof replacement. 

Leaks and Rotten Plywood

Roof leaks usually go unnoticed until your roofer removes your shingles. These leaks can cause damage to your home, including rot in rafters and other wood structures. In addition, older roofs are also more likely to have rotten plywood. Back in the day, it was common practice to install new shingles over existing ones. This traps moisture, which can lead to rot. Whether rotten plywood was caused by leaks or improper roof installation, the material and labor cost to replace that wood can also quickly increase the cost of your roof replacement budget, especially if there is already extensive damage. 

Water Traps

As with roof leaks, water traps are common issues that many homeowners are often unaware of until a roof replacement. Water traps are areas that are susceptible to leaks due to runoff areas that direct too much water to one place. For this reason, water traps can lead to faster wear on your roofing shingles and other exterior materials like siding. If your roofer discovers that your siding has been compromised on account of water traps, the new siding installation cost can increase your home improvement budget.

Seasonal Changes

The estimate for your roof replacement depends on multiple factors, including time and season. Since many roofing contractors get more work during some seasons than others, they give quotes that are valid for limited periods. This means labor costs change over time. If you got a roofing quote today, it might not be valid after five months. To avoid a change in your original roofing quote, try to replace your roof within a short period after getting it. Should you delay, get a new quote when you are ready to replace your roof to help you work with your original budget.

Construction Damage

During your residential roofing replacement project, your home might suffer unexpected damage. Roofing debris may fall and damage your landscaping, for example. Fortunately, construction damage can be prevented. Before they begin replacing your roof, dependable roofers will cover your lawn or garden with a tarp to prevent damage from falling debris. You should also relocate the vehicles you might have near the house. If you have a swimming pool, be sure to cover it up. 

Non-Compliance to Current Building Codes

The government uses building codes to ensure the public’s safety and prevent damage to your house. If your current roof was originally built to meet old building codes that no longer apply to new construction, you might need to spend extra money to bring your roof up to code.

Roof Upgrades

A roof replacement is your opportunity to upgrade your home. This way, you make your home more weather-resistant and even increase your home’s resale value. Some roof upgrades you should consider include investing in a seamless gutter installation, improving your roofing ventilation or choosing a more durable type of shingle. Switching to a more durable roofing material is also a great way to protect your home from the weather elements. Since these upgrades cost money, don’t forget to let your roofer know. Otherwise, the cost of your roof replacement may increase if you incorporate these upgrades down the road. 

How to Avoid Unexpected Costs

Although it may be difficult to avoid unexpected costs when it comes to your roof replacement project, there are still ways to prevent spending more than you anticipate. We list a few tips to consider:

• Factor in unexpected costs. If your roof is fairly old, it’s best to prepare for any issues or damage. Therefore, you should factor them into your budget. When determining how much to spend on your new roof, add between 5% and 10% of wiggle room to account for anything extra that comes up during the project.
• Replace your roof in the off-season. Spring and summer are the busiest times of year for roof replacement. This means the cost will typically be higher. If you can, try replacing your roof in the cooler months when there’s not a lot of demand for roofing services. Off-season replacement also provides you access to roofing products at discounted prices.
• Communicate with your contractor. Proper communication between you and your contractor is crucial to the success of your project. This helps you remain aware of everything going on during the project, including its progress and issues that may get in the way of its completion. Being on the same page helps avoid any last-minute changes that can potentially increase the cost of your project.

No matter the scope of your residential roofing project, you can count on the experienced installers at Northeast Gutters and Remodeling to provide top-tier services that you’d be happy to refer to a friend. We’re proud to be factory-certified with GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, and are authorized to offer extended warranty options when you purchase a new GAF roofing system. We are also a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited and A+ rated business.

To request an estimate or discuss your roofing needs with us, call (860) 899-7878, or fill out our online contact form.