Home maintenance can bring along a series of costs, but perhaps the most important thing to budget for is your roof. After all, there’s a reason why we associate the “roof over our head” with safety from the elements. It keeps the rain from pouring in, the walls from getting moldy, and more. Understanding the costs of roofing could help people in Philly budget more efficiently for repairs or potential replacements.
What Influences the Cost of Roofing?
The cost of roofing can be affected by numerous factors. Local Philly Roofers advise you to consider the following:
- Type of Material
Some materials are more expensive than others, mainly due to their availability, durability, and ease of installation. These materials can come in different types, the average cost being as follows per square foot:
- Shingles: $10-$30
- Metal: $8-$16
- Tile: $10-$20
- Wood: $5-$14
- Slate: $10-$30
The more expensive the material, the longer the lifespan. Keep in mind that these costs don’t include the work itself, only the material, which brings us to the following point.
- Labor Involved
Roofing materials make up the bulk of the cost but remember that you’ll also have to pay for the labor. How much you pay depends on the difficulty of installation, with some types of materials requiring more attention.
For the most part, you can expect to pay anything between $40 and $80 for an hour of labor. Keep in mind that a higher price could mean more expertise, which could end up saving you money on maintenance in the long run.
- Damage Level
Finally, the extent of the damage could significantly influence the cost of roofing. For instance, if you only have a few loose shingles here and there, you won’t have to worry about the costs going too high.
That said, if the roof is old and worn down, chances are that it will require a full replacement, even of the structural pillars of the roof. This is quite a common problem, especially in the historic district of Philadelphia, where many homeowners did not change their roofs entirely.
- Size of the Roof
The bigger your roof, the more it will take to have it replaced. The roof of a mansion would likely be more expensive to repair or replace, especially since it will have a more complex design.
Plus, with a bigger roof, you will pay for extra labor and more materials. A medium-sized roof could easily cost around $10,000, and you should be able to enjoy it for the next 10-50 years.
- Pitch of the Roof
The slope or pitch of the roof brings additional safety concerns, as it makes it a potential slipping hazard. The bigger the slope, the more challenging it can be to work on, increasing the labor cost. Plus, a high pitch means that you’ll have to cover broader square footage in materials, which can significantly increase the costs.
When Should You Replace Your Roof?
When determining the costs, it’s important to understand the timing of your roof replacement or maintenance. The problem is that about 37% of the homeowners don’t even know when something has weakened in their home structure. This means they will only take the steps necessary when it’s already too late and the roof is all but falling down on them.
The longer you wait, the higher the roofing costs can get. This is why you should look for the following signs when determining whether your roof needs repairs:
- Damaged or cracked shingles and tiles
- Missing shingles
- Dark spots and holes
- Water leaks during and after rain
- Mold on the roof and upper side of the walls
A great way to keep your roofing costs at a minimum is to get an annual roof inspection. If the home you live in is weak, you should consider scheduling them bi-annually. Keep in mind that if you are constantly repairing the roof, it could be more cost-effective to replace it entirely.
The Bottom Line
Calculating the cost of a roof could require a series of factors that need to be penciled in. From the materials chosen to the cost of the labor and the complexity of the project, each roof repair can have a different price. It’s best to get an estimate first, so you know exactly what you are paying for.