Roofers Have Things Nailed Down

What Factors Affect the Cost of a Roof Replacement?

1 June 2022

Nora Mcdonalid

Replacing a roof isn't cheap, but costs can also vary widely between homes. You may wonder why you received one quote for roof replacement when a neighbor received a quote that was significantly higher or lower. The reason is that the cost of a new roof is dependent on a number of factors, the most notable of which are discussed below.

Complexity of the Roof Design

Every time the roofers have to change the direction in which they are laying shingles, the job becomes more intense. When a roof has multiple peaks and valleys, the roofers also have to use more metal flashing for protection in those valleys. All of this is to say that the more complex your roof design is, the more your roof will cost to replace. A roof with four different peaks and ridges, for example, will cost more to replace than a similarly sized gable roof on a simple Cape Cod home.

Number of Old Shingles

A few decades ago, it was more common to just put new shingles over top of the old shingles. These days, roofers strongly prefer to strip off the old roofing shingles and then put new ones in place. If your home has multiple layers of old shingles on it, they should all be removed before the new roof is installed. The more layers there are, the more waste needs to be disposed of. This means the roofers will not only need to spend more time but also rent more dumpsters. Both of these factors add to the cost of the roof.

Type of Shingles

Roof shingles come in many different varieties. There are standard 3-tab shingles, and then there are architectural shingles. Architectural shingles come in a variety of types. Some offer additional wind resistance. Others are made to reflect more sunlight than average, keeping home temperatures lower in the summer. If your roof quote came back higher than a neighbor's, it could be because the roofer is suggesting different shingles for your home. Feel free to ask what shingles they recommend and if there are other, more affordable options. Sometimes high-end features like extra wind resistance really are needed, but other times they're just "nice to have."

Hopefully, this information will help you make better sense of your roof replacement quote. If you have any additional questions or concerns, ask a roofer. Most roofers are happy to be transparent about costs.

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