Most people find out what a roof costs the hard way. A stain shows up on the ceiling, a roofer climbs up for ten minutes, and then a number lands in your inbox that makes you sit down.

ㅤ

So let’s talk about that number before it lands.

ㅤ

Where Most Raleigh Homes End Up

A typical home with asphalt shingles should cost between $8,000 and $16,000. Numerous jobs fall below it, while a few reach over it. Because a roof is really a stack of individual choices, each with its own cost, the spread is large.

ㅤ

Online estimates for Raleigh don’t agree with each other either. Some sit near the bottom of that range and some near the top. If you see one figure promised with total confidence, be skeptical. Nobody can price your roof without seeing it.

ㅤ

What Pushes the Price Up or Down

Size comes first. One square is equivalent to 100 square feet, so an ordinary house will require 20 to 30 squares of roofing. Hours and shingles are added for each additional square.

ㅤ

Shape matters almost as much. A simple gable is quick. Roofs with chimneys, dormers, and valleys will be time-consuming, and roofs with steep slopes require safety equipment and will increase labor time.

ㅤ

Then there’s material. Basic asphalt shingles cost the least. Thicker architectural shingles cost more. Although it typically lasts longer, metal has the highest initial cost.

ㅤ

Then there are the things that have not been located yet. If an earlier owner shingled over the old roof, you may be paying to remove two layers. If water has been seeping in for years, some of the wood beneath may be spongy. Nobody knows until the old roof is off, which is why a good contractor tells you how they’ll handle it before work starts.

ㅤ

A Quick Picture

Assume we have a simple one-story ranch house with a single layer of shingles covering the roof. That’s your low end, and it tends to stay there if nothing odd turns up.

ㅤ

Now consider a two-story home with a chimney, two valleys, and another layer concealed under the top one. Same neighborhood, same year, and the cost difference is quite substantial.

ㅤ

Permits

In Raleigh, replacing a roof generally calls for a building permit. The fee is usually small compared to the rest of the job, and your roofer usually takes care of the paperwork. If someone tells you a permit isn’t needed, ask why, and then call the city to double-check.

ㅤ

Why Two Quotes Can Look So Different

Many times, a lower quote is seen as a better deal. Sometimes it does. More often it leaves things out.

ㅤ

And then there is what remains unknown. Is there a plan for repairs to deteriorating decks, flashing for the chimney and venting, and installing underlayment and drip edge? Is cleanup mentioned? There is difficulty in comparing an estimate that just states “Replace Roof” at one flat cost against one that provides all the details because you are not comparing apples with apples.

ㅤ

You should request an explanation from the company for any numbers that seem odd to you.

ㅤ

Ways of Saving Money

Get your roof replaced before it collapses. The damaged roof will be cheaper than a roof that is damaged by the leak through the decking and insulation, due to the expenses of fixing it.

ㅤ

It helps to time things right. Roofing contractors are busy following severe storms and in springtime, so you can have a little more leeway during other months. It doesn’t guarantee savings, but it never hurts to try.

ㅤ

Think about the material for the long run. The cheapest shingle can cost more over twenty years, and the priciest option isn’t always necessary. Ask your roofer about the middle choices.

ㅤ

If the damage came from a storm or a fallen limb, your homeowner’s policy may cover some of it. Normal wear and old age usually aren’t covered. Call your agent before you file.

ㅤ

How to Tell You’re Getting Close

Roofs give hints. More than twenty years old asphalt shingles have seen better days. Curling edges, bald patches, and cracks on multiple slopes are signals of trouble. Additionally, a shifted leak serves as an obvious warning: after fixing one section of the roof, a stain appears in another. If you see a dip in the roofline when you stand back in the yard, the wood underneath may be going soft.

ㅤ

It is not always necessary to replace one of them on its own. The evaluation will establish whether the repair is necessary.

ㅤ

Things to Find Out Before Hiring

Make sure that you find out how they measure the roof before giving an estimate. Find out what is covered in the price and what is paid for separately if later discovered. Ask who obtains the permit and what the warranty is covering as well. Pay attention to how they answer. A company that’s clear now will usually be clear during the job.

ㅤ

Wrapping Up

New roofs are expensive, and the cost in Raleigh varies according to the type of roof. Get a measured quote, read what’s included, and don’t be shy about asking questions until the number makes sense.

ㅤ

If you’d like someone to look at your roof, A&M Premium Roofing can come out, measure it, and go over your options. Call (919) 219-022 or send a request through our website.