Your old roof has served you faithfully, but when you look at it now, you know that it’s time to say goodbye. Naturally, the next step is to start looking into different roofing companies and find the perfect one. That’s when you realize something strange — the prices of installing a new roof often differ wildly.
It’s confusing, isn’t it? If you don’t know what goes into determining the roofing cost, it may even seem that the prices are set at random. But don’t worry — we are here to show you exactly what your roofing contractors will look at before giving you a price estimate.
1. Roof Size
The larger your roof, the most it will cost to set it up. When we talk about size, though, we don’t mean its height, but strictly the surface area it covers. If your roof is quite large, roofing contractors need more materials and time to finish the job.
2. Roof Pitch or Slope
When we talk about roof pitch, there are two things to consider — workers’ safety as they set the roof up and roofing underlayment. Steep roofs, such as those with a pitch greater than 6:12, can be dangerous to work on. For that reason, roofers need to bring special equipment to ensure they can safely finish the job.
On the other hand, roof pitch determines the type of underlayment you need. Underlayment is a layer placed over the roof deck, and its purpose is to protect your roof from water. Usually, roofs with lower pitches need more water protection.
3. Materials Used
Depending on the material you choose for your roof, the overall cost can vary greatly. For instance, asphalt shingles are both the most popular and the most affordable choice. But if you want a metal, wooden, or slate roof, will cost more.
4. Roof Accessibility
If there is anything that could make accessing and working on your roof difficult, you should expect higher costs. For instance, access to your roof could be blocked by trees or nearby houses. Due to that, roofers would have a difficult time climbing and transporting the materials they need. They might even need special equipment.
5. Peaks and Chimneys
Peaks, valleys, and chimneys require much more attention and care to set up. Since the two slopes typically join near these structures, they are more prone to leaks if not installed correctly. Thus, roofers need to take care that they do an excellent job.
6. Removal of Your Old Roof
Roof tear-offs take time and effort — workers need to remove old shingles and dispose of them properly. The more material there is and the more it weighs, the more time they will need to remove it.
Do I Need to Hire a Roofer?
If you’re planning to replace your roof, you certainly need an experienced roofer to help you with it. Now that you know what goes into determining the roof price, you can make a more informed decision when choosing who to hire.
And if you haven’t decided, give Tadlock Roofing a call. As roofing experts with many years of experience, we will complete any project you have in no time. All you need to do is fill out a form on our website, and we’ll get back to you with a free estimate!