How Do I Estimate Roofing Costs

How Do I Estimate Roofing Costs

If you’re considering having your roof replaced, you’ll obviously want to get a good estimate of approximately how much the job will cost. Doing so will not only ensure that you can actually afford it in the first place, but it will also make it easier to determine what type of roofing fits in best with your budget. To make things easier, here is everything you should know about how roofing estimates are done.

Determine the Total Square Footage of Your Roof

The first step to estimating roofing costs is to figure out the square footage. Along with the type of roofing materials you use, the size of your roof will be the biggest factor in determining how much your roof replacement will cost. Roofing costs are always based on square footage, and this is true for both labor and materials. The price for shingles and other roofing materials is usually listed per square foot. Similarly, roofing contractors also mostly estimate their labor costs for removing the old roof and installing the new roofing based on square footage as well.

Decide What Type of Roofing You Want

Once you know how big your roof is, you can then easily determine approximately how much your new roofing materials will cost. The price per square foot can vary drastically depending on the type, brand, and quality of the shingles or other roofing materials you choose. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider all of the different options to determine what type of material you like best and what fits best with your budget.

Add Up the Cost of Roofing and the Cost of Labor

The roofing materials themselves are only one part of the equation as you’ll also need to determine how much your chosen roofing contractor charges for labor. Some contractors will charge a flat rate per hour of work while others will charge a set fee based on the size of your roof and your choice of roofing materials. If you already know what type of roofing material you want to use, then this step is as simple as calling a residential roofer to get an estimate of labor costs. They can often provide you with a basic range over the phone and then set up an appointment to review your roof in person. That way they can create a more accurate estimate. Keep in mind that you can contact multiple roofers to get an idea of what company is the cheapest.

Account for Any Additional Costs

This last part is more difficult as there could be a number of additional costs that you might not immediately think of. At the same time, there could be numerous additional costs depending on the condition your roof is currently in. For instance, you’ll also need to typically pay to rent a construction dumpster and to dispose of your old roofing. You may also need to have your roof’s underlayment replaced depending on its age, condition, and the type of the existing underlayment. If your roof is seriously damaged, it may even be necessary to replace some or all of the wooden roof sheeting.

As you can see, there are a number of different factors involved in estimating roofing costs. Some of these costs you can fairly easily estimate on your own. Nonetheless, you will still need to get a professional roofing estimate to get an idea of all of the additional costs for labor, disposal, etc.

About Brooke