Needing a new roof is stressful. Especially when trying to figure out how much it’s going to cost you. That’s why a lot of people look for affordability when it comes to their roof replacement.
But what is the most affordable type of roof for a replacement? Luckily, we’re here to break it down for you.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality asphalt roof repairs and replacements to the residents of Nashville since 1990. We strive to give you an experience that’s rare in the roofing industry with honesty, customer service, and a strong workmanship history. That’s why when you work with us, you’ll never have to worry about your roof again.
So, what is the most affordable type of roof? Always eager to help you find the right roof for you and your budget, I’m going to answer that question and break down why you shouldn’t hire a cheap roofing contractor even when you’re on a tight budget.
What is the most affordable type of roof?
I understand everyone has a budget for their roof replacement. If your budget is tight, then you’re probably looking for the most cost-effective option available.
If that sounds like you, an asphalt roof is going to be the most affordable option for your replacement. Even though it’s the most affordable roofing choice, there are 3 different types of asphalt shingles that affect how much you’ll spend on an asphalt roof replacement.
3-tab shingles are the cheapest of the 3 types and are a great option if you’re on a tight budget. Dimensional shingles are the most common type you see on roofs today. They’re about 15% more than 3-tab shingles, but give you more life and better warranty options.
Luxury shingles are the most expensive option of the 3 types. They’re going to be almost double the cost of dimensional shingles, but they’re one of the most aesthetically pleasing roofs you’ll see. But if you're looking for affordability, you’re probably going to go with a 3-tab or dimensional shingle for your asphalt roof replacement.
The asphalt shingle that you choose is just one thing that impacts the cost of your new roof. To learn the other factors that affect the price of a new asphalt roof, read this article on how much your asphalt roof replacement will cost.
4 risks of hiring a cheap roofing contractor for you asphalt roof replacement
Now you know asphalt roofs are the most affordable type of roof for your replacement. I understand everyone is on a budget, but you shouldn’t try to find the lowest priced roofing contractor possible for your asphalt replacement.
Even if you get the most affordable roofing materials, you need to hire a high-quality roofing contractor to install them. That’s why you need to know the risks involved when hiring a roofing contractor because they offer you the lowest price in your area.
1. You get the quality you pay for
When you invest in a roof system, it’s going to cost more for quality labor, roofing materials, and components. I understand everyone is on a budget, but if you hire the cheapest roofing contractor it’s going to show up in the final quality of your roof.
For example, they could cut corners by not installing crucial components like drip edge and underlayment. No matter what crucial installation steps they skip, it will ultimately lead to roof leaks and more stress for you.
Hiring a cheap contractor means you’ll get the cheapest components and cheapest labor available, which sets your roof up for premature failure right off the bat. That makes investing in quality from the beginning crucial anytime you need repairs or a full roof replacement.
2. You’ll pay more money in the long run
Remember, when you hire the cheapest roofing contractor, it shows in the finished quality of your roof. Getting the cheapest roof possible might seem like your only option, but a roof is an investment.
The last thing you want is to pay more out of your pocket after spending thousands of dollars on a new roof. When you hire a cheap roofing contractor, that’s exactly what will happen and you’ll have roof problems sooner rather than later.
These problems might not show up right away, but eventually, you’ll end up spending more money in the long run with repairs and eventually a full roof replacement. To learn more about how going with the cheapest options can affect your roof, read this article on 3 ways “cheap” roof systems cost you more in the long run.
3. Your roof won’t live as long as it should
Just like hiring a cheap roofing contractor will affect the end quality of your roof and will cost you more money in the long run, it also affects your roof’s lifespan. When you hire a contractor for their low price, I can guarantee your roof’s life will not be what the contractor said it would be.
For example, a 3 tab asphalt shingle roof has a lifespan of around 25 years. When you hire the cheapest roofing contractor, you won’t get anywhere near this lifespan.
The reason for this is you’re going to get the cheapest materials and the cheapest labor to install your roof. This will lead to improper roof installation and other problems, which always leads to premature roof failure.
They could cut corners, use incorrect roofing techniques, or not check your attic for adequate ventilation. Problems might not show up right away from hiring a cheap roofing company, but eventually, your roof will have leaks.
4. You won’t get the best warranties available
When you get a new roof, you’ll have two warranties. You’ll have one on the contractor’s workmanship and one from the manufacturer on your roofing materials.
If you get a dimensional asphalt shingle roof and use all of the manufacturer’s roofing components, you can register your roof with the manufacturer to receive the enhanced warranty. This warranty guarantees they’ll cover labor, materials, dump fees, non-prorated for 50 years if there is a defect in their materials.
However, when you hire a contractor for their cheap prices, I can guarantee you won’t qualify for the enhanced warranty. Even if you do somehow qualify for this warranty, it’s highly likely it’ll be voided because of improper installation or inadequate attic ventilation.
This only leaves the cheap roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty to rely on. Because you used the cheapest company around, you’re going to get anywhere from a tail light warranty (as soon as you see their company truck’s tail lights disappear your warranty is gone), to a two-year, or possibly a five-year warranty.
It’s highly unlikely a contractor is going to give more than a five-year warranty on their workmanship for something they know is going to have continuous problems down the road.
They just want to get through the warranty period before your roof fails completely, and they have to pay to fix it.
To learn more about your warranty options, read this article on what roof warranties cover (types and how long they last).
Ready to hire a reputable roofing contractor for your asphalt roof replacement?
Now you know the 4 risks of trying to hire the cheapest roofing contractor for your asphalt roof replacement. Hiring a cheap contractor means you’ll get a poor quality roof that won’t live as long as it should and you won’t even get the best warranties available if any problems come up.
On the other hand, as long as you hire a reputable contractor and invest in quality materials, your new asphalt roof will give you years of peace of mind. Even if you get the cheapest type of asphalt shingle, you should still invest in a quality roofing contractor with a strong workmanship history.
Now that you know an asphalt roof is the most affordable roof type and why you shouldn’t hire a roofing contractor based on their low prices, what do you do next? The next step is to learn how to find a great local roofing contractor you can trust and that’s the right fit for you.
But how do you do that? Luckily, we’ve got you covered.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided the residents in Nashville and surrounding areas with high-quality asphalt roof replacements since 1990. We take pride in everything we do and are proud to offer you a lifetime warranty on our workmanship. If you’re local to Nashville, don’t hesitate to contact us to take care of all of your asphalt roofing needs.
Read this article on the Top 8 Questions To Ask A Roofing Contractor to help you find a trustworthy contractor in your area.
