In this article, you will learn:
1. 4 Reasons why roofing estimates can differ between contractors
2. 9 Factors that affect roof replacement pricing
3. What to look for in a roof replacement company
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Maintaining a safe and reliable roof is essential to protecting your home.
With a variety of important features, your roof is responsible for sheltering your family from the elements, maintaining internal temperatures, and even regulating overall energy-efficiency!
Unfortunately, these roofing systems are not built to last forever.
While the average lifespan of a roof can vary depending on a number of factors, there will eventually come a point where your existing roof will need to be replaced.
At T. Simpson Roofing, we encourage our clients to understand the ins and outs of their roof replacement projects.
As many roof replacement quotes can vary from one contractor to another, it’s important for Canadian homeowners to understand the reasons for these varying costs, the factors that go into a roof replacement estimate and what to look for when hiring a roofing professional.
4 Reasons Why Roofing Estimates Can Differ Between Contractors:
When comparing a few different roof replacement quotes, it’s not uncommon to find a wide variety of price points.
As your roof is one of the most important investments in your property, how do you determine which option is the best decision for you?
Although it may be tempting to automatically default to the lowest expense, it’s important to pay attention to a variety of details in the contracts:
1. Are They Insured?
While uninsured roofers may offer a much lower quote, they are doing so at a much higher risk.
Without insurance, it is unlikely that these contractors will provide sufficient warranty options to protect your home from damage. Another common problem is that insurance companies will often refuse to pay for damage if the installation was done by an unlicensed roofer.
2. What Are The Warranty Details?
Much like the wide selection of roofing options, there are a variety of warranties on the market as well.
When comparing quotes, it’s important to identify any differences in coverage, value and/or time-duration. While some warranties might only include roofing materials, others may include the expense of labour as well.
3. Was The Roof Properly Measured?
To give a proper roof replacement quote, a reliable roofing contractor will always either visit the property for measurement and inspection, provide a quote using sophisticated satellite technology, or both.
As roofs are measured in “squares”, a professional roofer should be able to calculate the amount of materials required for any given project. When comparing quotes, it is a good idea to compare the roofing calculations for accuracy as well.
4. Will The Contractor Remove The Original Shingles?
When replacing your roofing structure, it is essential that your contractors remove the original shingles.
While many low-ball roofing quotes might propose to install the new shingles on top of the existing ones, this error can lead to premature failure and possibly void the manufacturer’s warranty altogether. Although the lower upfront expense may be saving money short-term, the risk of damage or error could potentially cost a lot more in the long run.
9 Factors That Affect Roof Replacement Pricing:
When pricing out a roof replacement quote, there are a number of variables to consider:
1. Roof Size:
The bigger the roof, the more materials and labour the surface area will require.
At T. Simpson Roofing, our trained professionals take careful measurements to ensure an accurate quote for every roofing project.
2. Removal Requirements:
As there should only be one layer of roofing shingles to ensure your home is well-protected, every roof replacement project will require time for shingle removal, as well as dump charges to dispose of the old materials.
As expected, more existing layers will require more labour time to remove and will be more expensive to dispose of (as it is measured by weight).
3. Repair Requirements:
Unfortunately, the damage of a long-neglected roof can sometimes spread to the home’s interior or cause damage to the plywood roofing deck. As this is often hidden beneath the existing shingles, any repair requirements will not be visible until the shingles have been removed.
In the event that any damage and/or rotting is evident, this will also have to be repaired before the new shingles are installed.
4. New Materials Being Used:
While there are a variety of styles, materials and colours on the market, there are also a variety of price points.
With options for every style and budget, your trained roofing professionals will be able to help you narrow down the best high-quality options for your home.
5. Roofing System Components:
In addition to new shingles, your roof replacement project will require some “undercover” waterproofing as well!
From underlayment and ventilation to fasteners and insulation, there are a variety of options to choose from in terms of materials, performance, longevity, and of course – cost.
6. Pitch or Slope:
As a steep roof is more dangerous to work on, roofing professionals will often require temporary railings, harnesses and cleats to help them ensure their safety.
With greater staging, safety and labour costs, a roof’s pitch will also determine the type of underlayment required to properly protect your home for many years to come.
7. Finishing Details:
Another factor to consider when pricing your roof replacement project is the finishing details.
From soffits and fascia to sealants and counter-flashing details, each component will require additional materials and labour expenses which contribute to the overall price.
8. Roof Accessibility:
Roof accessibility is another factor that will impact the overall cost of a new roof, as a dangerous access point will require additional equipment and staging time.
For residential roofs that are easier to access, the overall expense will not require as many materials or labour time.
9. Warranty:
While some contractors may offer a standard roofing warranty, our services are backed by our 50-year, non-prorated warranty on materials and 25-year warranty on labour!
As a roof replacement project is a major investment for the safety of your home and family, we encourage our clients to renovate with the confidence that they will be well-cared for long after the new roofing installation is complete.
What to Look For in a Roof Replacement Company:
With a variety of factors to consider, it is very important for Canadian homeowners to do their research before pursuing a roof replacement project.
As quotes, warranties, materials and project procedures can vary from contractor to contractor, be sure to take some time to compare each option to determine what works best for you, your home and your budget.
At T. Simpson Roofing, we are proud to offer our clients over 25+ years of experience, a diverse selection of roofing options, exceptional warranties and an industry-leading team full of fully-insured, trained roofing professionals.
If you are interested in learning more about your roof replacement options, we offer the largest GAF Certified Roof Replacement Services in Canada!
Click here or call 1-800-925-3044 for more information.
