3 Steps to Preparing Financially for your Roof Repair or Replacement Project
Monday, December 5, 2016, 6:00 AM | Leave Comment
Your roof protects your home from the elements, as well as keeping you secure from undesired entry. Because if its location, it is more prone to wear and tear than other parts of the house, and will need repair or replacement at one point or other in the life of your home.
Worn roofs are not only a security risk, they may not be able to insulate your home well or keep out the elements.
Roof replacement is an expensive excursion, and one that must be adequately planned for.
This article lists some important steps to help you plan properly and avoid surprises once the work is underway.
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Start early
Roof typically last 15-25 years before they need replacement, but repairs may be required much sooner depending on the quality of product and installation as well as the climate of your region.
If you start saving up for it as soon as you build the house or move in, you will amass a pretty sum to help you carry out the project without looking for financing.
If you move into an old home, you will need to save more as you have less time before replacement becomes necessary.
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Get a quotation
Your budget is determined by many factors including your financial ability, materials used, damage caused, size of the house, roof pitch and labor requirements among others.
If you’re handy and there isn’t much damage, you can save greatly by buying materials and doing the work. However, major roof repair and whole-roof replacements should be left to the professionals. An advantage is that you’ll receive a warranty on workmanship and materials, which assures you that a good job will be done.
Begin the discussion by scheduling an inspection and requesting for an accurate quotation from two or three contractors.
Ask as many questions as you need to ensure you have enough information at the outset.
Do not allow work to begin until you have all the money you need, plus a little extra for unforeseen circumstances.
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Choose your materials
Roofs can be made from concrete, clay, wood shakes, asphalt shingles and many other materials. These differ in both price and durability.
Asphalt shingles are the most common choice, and are quite cheap to buy. However, they won’t last as long as metal. Roofing material is typically sold by squares (?100 sq. ft.), but may also be sold in simple square feet.
If your roof is flat, you’ll have materials in multiple layers so ensure these are accounted for.
In addition, flat roof need bitumen, while pitched roofs need roofing felt for additional protection. You’ll also need to factor in transportation cost of new materials to the house as well as disposal of the old materials.
Conclusion
Every project should include a fixed sum to cover unanticipated costs. Once the roof is off, you may find that your gutters need to be replaced, some unnoticed damage in the attic/trusses and other potential issues that will raise you cash outlay from the original sum. A good rule of thumb is to set aside an additional 20 percent of your total budget to cover such incidents.
Throw us a like at Facebook.com/doable.financeAuthor BIO
The author is a qualified roof contractor with over fifteen years’ experience in handling roof repair and building projects. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family as well as sharing his knowledge on this site and others.
