5 Cost Factors of Roof Replacement

You look up in the spring and notice that the shingles on your roof are looking a little curled-under or wavy. That’s not good! If your shingles look like that, or if you’re missing lots of clay tiles, it may be time to replace your roof.

This is a project no homeowner looks forward to. But tackling your roof replacement sooner rather than later may actually save you money. If you can replace the roofing material before the underlying plywood is damaged, you’ll save a ton!

The actual cost of replacing your roof will depend on a number of factors. And only a qualified contractor can tell you exactly how much your roof replacement project will cost. The best Orange County roofing company will be up front with a quote, and will detail exactly what goes into that final cost.

Wondering what factors will influence the final cost of your roof replacement? Here are five important ones:

1.The size of your roof

Typically, roofing materials are quoted by squares, with one square equal to 100 square feet of roof. The larger your roof, the more expensive the materials and labor. So a roof that’s 100 square feet larger can cost a lot more to cover, by the time you pay for the additional square of materials and the labor to install those materials.

2. The pitch of your roof

Many homeowners don’t realize that it’s not just size that matters. You can have a smaller roof with a relatively steeper pitch, and this can cost more to re-roof. Roofs with a steeper pitch are understandably harder to work on, which means more labor costs for setting up safety materials for the roofers.

Also, steeper roofs may require more roofing materials, especially if you’re using asphalt shingles. This will depend on fire safety standards in your area, but it’s generally true that a steeper roof requires a greater density of shingles. Plus, the pitch of the roof can influence the type of underlayment needed for the roof. So if the underlayment needs replacing, as well, your roof’s pitch can make a big difference in your overall replacement costs.

3. The required preparation work

Sometimes, you can actually have the roofing contractors lay new shingles over the old ones. This is particularly true if your roof currently only has one layer of shingles. Of course, you’ll need to have the contractor check for underlayment damage, too, before you opt for this route. But it can be cheaper because it doesn’t require the roofers to take off a layer of shingles.

4. The components needed

Most homeowners think of the roof as just the shingles or tiles on top of the roof - the part you can see. But, actually, a roof is a system of underlayment, waterproofing, and covering. All these pieces work together to ensure that your roof is watertight and energy-efficient.

If just the top layer of the roof needs replaced, your costs will be relatively less. The best Orange County roofing company will check into the condition of your roof’s other components, though. Replacing waterproofing and underlayment may sound really expensive. It can get that way. But what’s even more expensive is not replacing these parts when they really need to be replaced. This can result in major damage and additional costs down the road.

5. The type of new roofing material used

Finally, the type of roofing material you choose to use on your new roof will have a big impact on your costs. Asphalt shingles are the most affordable option, and slate is the most expensive. However, even within categories, there’s a lot of variation.

You can get asphalt shingle, for instance, for anywhere from about $65/square to over $150/square. And you can get tile roofs for anywhere from $300 to $1,000 per square, depending on the type of tile you choose for your project.

As you can see, there are tons of factors that go into how much your new roof will ultimately cost. Your best option is to get quotes from two or three reputable Orange County roofing contractors, so you can see what your particular project will cost.

If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established Orange County roofer, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every residential roofing need and situation. Wherever and whenever you need roofing services in Laguna Woods or anywhere else in OC, you definitely can count on Luke Roofing.