What factors go into the cost of a new roof? Homeowners are aware that they will need to pick out and purchase shingles and hire a roofing contractor to do the work, but there’s a lot more that goes into a roof replacement than meets the eye. In this article, we will discuss what factors go into the cost of a new roof and how to determine cost.
Table of Contents
– Factors That Go Into the Cost of a New Roof
– Upgrading Your New Roof
– Roof Cost Calculator
– Hiring the Roofing Contractor that’s Right for You
Factors That Go Into the Cost of a New Roof
There are quite a few components to consider when calculating the cost of your roof replacement, making it difficult to give an exact estimate as to how much it will cost without an inspection. This is because there are many factors that go into the cost of a new roof including the materials you choose, the accessibility of your roof, how complex your roof is, etc.
With that being said, if you have a 3-bedroom, middle-class home, and a simple roof with architectural asphalt shingles, the cost will be somewhere around $15,000 for a roof replacement. Below are the factors that a roofing contractor is considering when calculating the cost of your replacement:
Roofing Materials
As mentioned in the previous section, the roofing materials you choose can impact price. The type of roof that you choose and the rest of its components has one of the biggest impacts when it comes to the cost of your new roof. For more information on the different roofing materials and pricing, check out our recent blog, “4 Main Roofing Types [Pros, Cons, Costs, and More!].”
Labor and Time
What factors go into the cost of a new roof? Labor and time. If anything takes time and labor, it will impact the final cost. Your contractor will certainly consider this when calculating the cost of your new roof, and their rates will be included in your estimate.
Roof Accessibility
The harder your roof is to access and to do the task at hand, the more it will impact the cost of your new roof. Your contractor needs an easy access point to tear off the old roof and get those materials to a dump truck, as well as to send the new materials up and install the new components.
Roof Penetrations
What factors go into the cost of a new roof? Roof penetrations. A roof penetration is anything that sticks out of your roof. This can include chimneys, skylights, vents, etc. The more penetrations your roof has, the more time and labor it takes to install your new roof.
Size and Complexity
Roof size and complexity are two more factors that go into the cost of a new roof. The square footage of your roof will directly affect cost in the way of materials, labor, and the time it takes to complete the job. Roof complexity also affects cost and square footage. This includes how many facets, hips, and valleys your roof has, as well as how steep it is, and how high off of the ground your roof is.
Roof Decking
The amount of roof decking that needs to be replaced is another factor that goes into the cost of a new roof, especially when you consider the rising lumber prices. The only way to determine the condition of your roof decking, however, is after your old roof has been torn off.
Dump Fees
The remnants of your old roof will need to be loaded into a dump truck and taken to a dump site. Dump fees and labor costs will impact the cost of your new roof.
Operating Costs
No matter who you hire, there will be operating expenses your contractor has in order to keep their business up and running. This will always be factored into the cost of a new roof, and of any roof work that needs to be done.
Upgrading Your New Roof
The items listed above will always play a role and be included in the cost of your roof replacement. There are some optional upgrades, however, that if you choose to have installed, will impact the price of your new roof. The following aesthetic and/or functional upgrades will come at an extra cost:
Roof Flashing
Many homeowners will choose to go with steel roof flashing, which is the most affordable and commonly used option. However, some will upgrade their roof flashing to copper, providing aesthetic appeal and a heftier bottom line.
Roof Vents
Homeowners that opt to upgrade their roof vents or entire ventilation system will see a heftier bottom line. A common upgrade we see is when homeowners choose to go from a ridge vent to a turbine vent, or from a box vent to a ridge vent.
Gutter Guards
Gutter guards or gutter screens are a popular upgrade that we highly recommend. This helps to keep your gutters clean, and saves you time and money when it comes to cleaning and maintaining your gutters.
Metal Accents
Another popular upgrade we see as far as factors that go into the cost of a new roof is adding a metal accent. This can increase a home’s curb appeal, and is commonly seen over porches, windows, patios, and other areas of the home.
Ice and Water Shields
This is a functional upgrade, especially for those in areas prone to snow storms and cold weather. Adding ice and water shield in roof valleys and two feet past the interior walls of your home at the edges of your roof is a great way to prevent leaks from snow or ice that’s stuck on your roof.
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So, how much does a new roof cost? The short answer is that no two roofs are the same, especially when it comes to price. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to have a roofing professional come out for a roof inspection. With that being said, everything mentioned above can impact cost and vary from roof to roof, but now you should have a better understanding as to how your roofing contractor calculated the cost of your roof replacement.
Roof Cost Calculator
Now that you know the factors that go into the cost of a new roof, let’s discuss pricing. Most people in the roofing industry don’t like to lead with pricing out of fear of intimidating potential clients. Elite Exteriors, however, believes in transparency, and that an educated consumer creates peace of mind and alleviates stress for both the client and the contractor. This is why we’ve created a Roof Cost Calculator, so you know what to expect when it comes time for the bill.
Please keep in mind that the Roof Cost Calculator is here to give you a general estimate, not an exact price. This is because every homeowner or business owner has different wants and needs, and, as you now know, there are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to pricing that can only be included after an in-person inspection. With that in mind, our roof cost calculator will give you a rough estimate of how much your new roof will potentially cost.
Hiring the Roofing Contractor that’s Right for You
As you can see, there are plenty of factors that go into the cost of a new roof, and an essential one is the roofing contractor you hire. There is also a lot to consider when choosing the roofing contractor that’s right for you. It’s crucial to do your homework, and to ask these questions when you meet with a potential roofing contractor. The purpose of asking these questions is to help you to make an informed decision, because the more information you have, the easier it is to analyze all aspects, and make the decision that’s best for you.
Elite Exteriors is the Southeast’s premier residential and commercial resource for unparalleled service, superior craftsmanship, and incomparable quality. And it’s all backed by an unprecedented lifetime labor and materials warranty! Not only are we fully bonded, licensed, and insured, but we can provide any references you may need, and are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Give us a call today at 470-350-3024 for a NO-COST initial consultation and inspection, or fill out our online form for more information!