Nothing lasts forever, least of all your roof. Actually, roofs can last for 15 to 20 years, but that’s usually not long enough for most homeowners. Most of the time, you’re still paying on your mortgage before it’s time to shell out for a new roof. Before you schedule a roof replacement in Alpharetta, you’ll need to prepare your budget a little bit.
Understand the Costs
A new roof is going to cost several thousand dollars. This can be quite a stretch when you’re living on a budget. The costs for a new roof include the materials and the labor. When you’re getting cost estimates, it’s important to have these listed separately to help you compare between different bids. Naturally, cheaper materials will lower your total costs, but not all roofing materials are created equal. It pays to do some research to find the option that makes most sense for you.
Choose the Right Materials
Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material. They’re least expensive to put on, although it does take a bigger crew to remove an old asphalt roof cost-efficiently. However, these shingles don’t last as long as other options. Metal roofs can last for 50 years, but you’ll have to spend a little more initially to get a metal roof up. In either case, you’ll have to pay for plywood, nails, and other materials necessary to assemble your roof, which adds to your cost of materials.
Get Different Estimates
It’s important to get at least 3 different bids for your new roof. That allows you to compare prices for labor and materials for local roofers, which will help you get an idea of what is too expensive and what is right in the expected price range. If there are large discrepancies between the bids, you should ask the roofer about the reason for it. While you may be tempted to go with the cheapest option, that’s not always advisable. A roofing contractor may intentionally submit a very low estimate to get the job, only to give you a much higher invoice when all is said and done.
Start Saving
Once you have an idea of the estimated costs for your new roof, it’s time to start saving. If your roof isn’t leaking or otherwise endangering your home or your family, you can set aside a monthly amount to get the repairs done without going into debt. On the other hand, you may be able to take advantage of low-interest financing. Finally, in some cases, your insurance company will cover some of the cost, especially if there’s been covered damage, such as hail damage.