Getting a new roof put on your home is an important investment because it protects everything inside you your home from your sheetrock to your appliances. It can also be a big undertaking that can cause a lot of stress for homeowners. Before redoing your roof you’ll need to decide what kind of roofing to install, who to use as a contractor, and when to do the job. Once you’ve made these initial decisions you’ll have to decide how you’re going to pay for it. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have thousands laying around to pay for a roofing project.
All of these decisions can cause you to worry and postpone this decision. But, if you do some work on your end, you’ll be able to save hundreds or thousands of dollars on your upcoming roof removal and installation. Here are five ways that you can get a great deal on your new roof.
Research Roofing Materials
There is a wide variety of roofing materials that you can use on your home and they differ in price and quality. For instance, some shingles last 20 years, when others last closer to 30 years. Rolled membrane comes in different thicknesses which can affect the pricing. Some roofing types are very decorative and because of this, they are far more expensive.
You will want to do your research and find out what type of roofing is right for you and your budget. If you are going to live in the house only for a few more years, you may not want to buy the fanciest, most expensive roof. But, if you know you’ll be there for the rest of your life, it may be worth paying extra to have a long-lasting material installed. If you do your homework you will be able to ask your roofer about a specific type of roofing and avoid being upsold on a roofing type that you don’t really need. You can also ask for different quotes for different materials and see how the prices vary. You could see a difference of hundreds if not thousands of dollars depending on the material you choose.
Do Regular Inspections
One way you can extend the life of your roof and get the most out of it is to do regular inspections. You may want to have a roofing contractor come out to ensure that there are no warning signs to look at. By finding a problem early, you could likely fix it with a smaller repair instead of a full roof removal and installation later. It’s probably worth it to get up on your roof every year or so and make sure there are no missing shingles, holes in the membrane, or any other obvious problems.
Shop Around
Most people will do their research online before they buy a product. The same should go with finding a roofing contractor. It’s a good idea to get multiple opinions and quotes before starting any home construction job. Contractors charge different prices and by asking more than one for an estimate, you may find a much better price. Some may even be willing to price match.
You can speed up this process significantly by taking the measurements and specifications yourself and providing that information to roofing contractors over the phone or email.
Don’t Finance with a Credit Card
Paying with a credit card is so easy that it can be tempting to pay for your new roof with one. However, high-interest rates can add up. You should do your research to find a loan from a bank that has a reasonable interest rate. When you are researching for roofers, ask to see if they offer their customers financing. Many companies do which can make this process easier for you especially if you can get a low-interest loan.
Do Some of the Labor Yourself
This might sound a little intimidating, but doing some of the labor on your project can save you a substantial amount and teach you something new about roofing. Most roofers will drop the price dramatically if you remove the existing layers of roofing materials so they can come in and install the new materials. It’s recommended to have a licensed professional do the installation since it is much more technical, but the removal process is very straightforward. It can be very messy so wear clothes that you can throw away after.
This is only advisable if the roof is safe to walk on. Use proper safety equipment and don’t use this tip if the roof is dangerous to get on top of.
You’re Ready to Go
If you follow these steps you are sure to get a great deal on your roof and save hundreds or more. It’ll be more work for you, but the money in your pocket will be worth it.