7 Factors To Consider When Getting A New Roof
Whenever you are looking to get a quote for a new roof, there are a few things that will factor into the cost of the roof.
These factors will apply to almost any roof type. It doesn’t matter if it is a standard shingle roof, a standing seam metal roof, or a stone coated metal roof.
We've been installing roofs for years at K Graber Construction and we understand all the questions you might have when the time comes for a new roof.
Today, we want to help answer those questions for you. So, we are going to look at 7 factors that will affect the cost, efficiency, and timeline of your getting a new roof.
Let's get started!
7 Consideration In Getting A New Roof
1. Removing The Old Roof
If you have an old roof on your house, you will probably want to remove it before you begin installing your new roof.
Some installers will argue that they can add a new roof layer to your existing layer. However, this should be looked at by an engineer before it is done due to weight concerns, particularly if you live in an area with higher snow load.
Depending on what kind of roof you put on, this may not be as much of an issue. For example, stone coated metal roofing can weigh about half the weight of standard asphalt shingles, and therefore may be able to go directly on the old roof.
2. Roof Pitch
Your roof pitch will impact both the removal of your old roof and the installation of your new roof.
Why is roof pitch a factor?
It all comes down to 2 things:
First, the steeper your pitch the more materials the roofer will need to order to cover the roof. And second, the steeper the roof the more man-hours will be required to perform the labor due to lost efficiency.
For an exhaustive guide to roof pitches, check out this article from Roofing Calculator.
3. Roof Style
Obviously, one of the biggest factors to cost in getting a new roof is the size of the roof.
This will impact 3 main things:
- The labor to remove the old roof
- The labor to install the new roof
- The materials necessary to cover the new roof.
If you are interested in putting a metal roof on your home, you may want to read our deep-dive blog post on that topic: Choosing The Best Metal Roof For Your Home Or Business - Everything You Need To Know.
4. Roof Size
One of the hidden parts of a new roof is the style of your roof. This often has a bigger impact on the cost than many people consider.
But first, what do we mean by “style”?
Think of a basic roof that you see on many sheds and barns. They don’t have any dormers, hips, valleys, etc. They are basically a single plane that stretches the length of the roof.
Many house roofs, on the other hand, are not a single plane. They consist of dormers, hips, valleys, gables, etc.
These additional roof planes often make a house look more attractive, but they also mean more time for installation. Instead of being able to work on a single large plane, the crew needs to work around the various roof planes and install accordingly.
5. Material Thickness
The largest difference between material thickness is when you choose standard asphalt shingles or a metal roof.
Asphalt shingles will be heavier and thicker. Most house roofs are designed to handle this weight, but you may want to have some reinforcement done to your roof if you are unsure.
Metal roofing, on the other hand, is lighter and often weight is not as much of a concern.
To get a fuller comparison of asphalt shingles and metal roofing read our blog: The Definitive Guide: Stone Coated Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles.
6. Season Of Install
Due to weather and safety concerns, the majority of roofing is done in late spring, summer, and early fall. This is prime time for any kind of roofing, and therefore, labor pricing can also be prime.
Many people wait until the prime summer months to put a new roof on their house because they don’t think about it until everyone is “back outside and the weather is nice.”
However, if you are willing to move forward with a new roof in the early spring or late fall, you may be able to save some money on the labor costs.
This is just one tip to save you money when hiring a roofing contractor. Read our blog on hiring a trustworthy contractor to gain more insight into this topic!
7. Labor Rate
What you pay for the labor is a huge factor in your new roof. And with it, there always comes a struggle:
Do you pay for the cheapest labor that may not be as good, or are you willing to pay a little bit more for a better job?
It is important to remember that “cheap labor” does not necessarily mean it is “bad workmanship.” The opposite is also true: “expensive labor” does not always mean “quality workmanship.”
One of the things to remember is choosing a contractor that is trustworthy. This means you will want to see about online reviews, former customers, meeting the contractor in person, etc.
And whatever you do, make sure the proposal/contract is clear on what it will cost and what work will be done!
Conclusion
If you are looking for a trusted contractor in the Miami, Grant, Howard, or Cass Counties in Indiana, then look no further than K Graber Construction! We specialize in all kinds of roofing, including shingles, standing seam, and stone coated metal roofing.
We also offer other construction services like steel building construction, ICF Construction, concrete work, and additions and remodels.
No matter what your needs are, we would like to help you. And if you just need a little bit of advice, we're happy to lend a hand.
Contact us today and get a free quote. We look forward to hearing from you!
