Roofs and roof repairs cost homeowners a huge chunk of change - between $4,000 and $15,000 for a full replacement. So you definitely want to be sure to get your money’s worth when hiring an Orange County roofer. Here’s how:
Know How They Charge
Typical roofers charge according to “squares” - ten-by-ten sections of roof. The average roof has between 28 and 32 squares, which may or may not need replaced, according to your needs.
When it comes to actually replacing a roof, Orange County roofers will start by charging for the removal of the old roof. And your costs will depend on how many shingle layers are on the old roof. And if your roof is extra high or extremely steep, expect to pay more.
The Orange County roofer will also charge for installation of the new underlay and shingles. And, of course, you’ll have to pay for the actual materials used to complete your new roof or roof repairs.
Know Your Options
When it comes to roof repair and replacement, you’ve got plenty of options. For instance, you could have the roofer install new shingles over the old ones, instead of removing the old shingles. This is cheaper, but it also reduces the lifespan of your new shingles. However, if you’re on a really tight budget, this is an option to consider.
You’ll also want to explore your options for actual roofing materials. Asphalt shingles are the most common option, and they’re also the most affordable. Of course, there are different grades of asphalt shingles, and you should ask your roofer for recommendations on what will work best for you. Metal tiles, clay tiles, and wooden shake shingles are all more expensive.
While you’re talking over materials options with your roofer, talk about the “extras.” You will, for instance, want the roofer to install flashing where sloped and vertical surfaces meet on your roof - like around the edges of a chimney. And if your roof has valleys that might tend to collect water, you may also want additional underlayment there, which will keep the roof from leaking.
Ask About Guarantees
The best Orange County roofers will talk over all these options with you. And they’ll also offer guarantees for their work. The industry standard is a 5 to 10 year warranty on workmanship. So if your roof leaks or fails because of improper installation, the roofer will guarantee to replace or repair the roof.
However it’s important to look over the fine print in these warranties, as some warranties include tricky fine print that can make it difficult to cash in if your roof leaks. You’ll definitely want to consider whether the warranty covers labor, or materials, or both. So when you’re getting Orange County roof repairs, be sure to understand exactly how the warranty works, and what might void it in the future.
As long as you’re careful to understand all of your options and guarantees when it comes to an Orange County roofing company, you’ll get your money’s worth out of your new roof.
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 Garden Grove or anywhere else in OC, you definitely can count on Luke Roofing.
Comments 4
I had a bad experience a few years ago with roofer "guarantees." I didn't read the fine print, and even though my roof was damaged because of poor workmanship (in my opinion!) the roofing company didn't fix it. So this time around, I'm definitely going to read the fine print.
I know what you mean. I narrowly avoided that problem when my wife and I re-roofed our first house. I got a bad feeling about the guy who was selling us the services. So I made sure I read all the fine print - like I never do, really - and, sure enough, their 10-year guarantee had more holes than my leaky roof. It was ridiculous.
Wouldn't it be nice if contractors like these guys would just tell you straight up what you need to know about junk like this?
I'm actually curious about what some of the options are for roofs in the OC area. I know a lot of people are here have tile, but it's so expensive. Is there anything else besides asphalt shingles that will look nice but not be quite as expensive?
Cheryl, tile is popular, obviously. And, yes, it is an expensive option. But you need to keep in mind that it lasts a long time. Some people do the cedar shake roofing, which is more expensive than shingles but less expensive than tile. There are also different types of shingles to choose form, so you might be surprised at those options that are available.