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Roofs are big, and calculating the cost of installation ahead of time can help you avoid sticker shock when you receive an estimate. Many different considerations come into play when calculating the cost of a roof replacement, and homeowners should be aware of all of them in order to ensure they can fully understand what they will be paying for. Caveat emptor is a good rule to keep in mind, especially when contracting in the service industries. A roof is a big investment. Consider the following factors when looking at roof replacement, and plug them into one of the many available online calculators. Size Matters The most important dimension to consider in the calculation is how big your house is. Start with the correct length and width of your home. Your roof is your home’s de facto lid, and this figure will provide you with a good basic coverage area. But most home roofs aren’t flat, so you will have to consider the slope as well. Unless you’re willing to get up there with a ruler and a level (although this can be done from the attic), it’s generally sufficient to estimate the slope as low, medium, steep or very steep. Next, you must consider any complexities that will present themselves to the contractor. Do you live in the house of seven gables? Any turrets? Skylights? Anything but an open expanse of asphalt is going to cost extra. To Tear Off or Not? You may also need to have your roof torn off to make room for the new one. If you currently have only one layer of shingles on your roof and there is no underlying damage, your roofer might be able to put the new shingles right over the old ones, saving you time and money, and leaving an added layer of protection in place. But if you already have a second layer up there or there is any warping or rot, the old shingles will have to come off and the damage repaired before installing the new ones. Is your home one story or two? Or maybe even three? The farther it is from the ground, the more it will cost. Every level added increases the danger of the work being done and the likelihood of injury, much in the same way a steep roof slope does. More equipment, scaffolding, etc., is needed with higher roofs. Location and Material The part of the country in which your home is located will also impact your cost — being in or near a big city will bump up the price of a new roof, as it does for pretty much any expense in a populous area. Your biggest variable will be the material you choose for your new roof. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material, and the cheapest. They come in every conceivable color, although black and white are most common. For a roof with added style (and cost), look at wood, slate, tile or even copper. Once you have determined your cost with a roof estimation calculator, contact several trusted, local roofing companies for more specific, written estimates in order to make the best choice for your roof replacement.
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