Getting a new roof can be stressful and even overwhelming if you’ve never been through the process before. It’s not as simple as calling a roofing contractor, pointing at your roof, saying give me a new one, and it’s done.
A roof replacement actually involves making some pretty big decisions. And the truth is, these decisions have a huge impact on your new roof.
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has educated homeowners, so they’re able to make the best purchasing decisions. The last thing we want is for you to invest in a new roof and regret the choices you made.
Let’s get to the 4 big decisions you’ll make during the roof replacement process.
1. Determining how much you’re willing to spend on a new roof
A new roof is always going to be an investment. So, no matter what, you’ll spend a good amount of money.
This brings us to the first decision you’ll make for a roof replacement, determining what your budget is. The budget you set impacts the rest of the decisions in this article and the entirety of your roof replacement.
A higher budget gives you more options and wiggle room when shopping around for a roofing contractor. But I don’t recommend breaking the bank to get a new roof.
You can still get a great and high-quality roof system for an affordable price. The important thing is to avoid trying to find the cheapest price available.
Doing this sets your new roof up for failure right from the start. If you’re worried about your budget or are considering finding the cheapest price possible, just know there are options available to help you pay for a roof.
2. Hiring the right roofing contractor
The next decision is the biggest and most important one you'll make during the entire roof replacement process. This decision is hiring a great roofing contractor in your area.
The roofing contractor you hire has the biggest impact on all aspects of your new roof, from pricing to the final quality of the replacement. You may think finding a great one will be easy.
But unfortunately, the roofing industry is saturated, and there are probably a lot of options in your area. Finding a great one out of all these options available can be like finding a needle in the haystack.
That’s why you need to do research and even talk to a few different companies. To help you understand what you should be looking for while doing research, below are some tips to get you started:
- Look for a local phone number and local physical office location
- Ask for proof that they’re licensed, bonded, and insured in your state
- Get recommendations from friends and neighbors
- Look at their reviews from the last 3 months
- They offer a lifetime workmanship warranty or close to it (25 years)
While finding a reputable roofing contractor can be hard, you’ll be fine as long as you do the research. But by using the tips above, you’ll be well on your way to finding a great one in your area.
3. Picking the type of roofing material you want
Other than hiring a roofing contractor, the biggest decision you’ll have to make is picking the type of roofing material you want. To find the right roofing material, you need to consider the look you want, your budget, and how much life you want to get out of it.
If you’re on a set budget and looking for affordability, an architectural asphalt shingle roof is the best option. But if you have some wiggle room in your budget and want a roof that stands out more, luxury asphalt shingles are a great choice.
If budget isn’t a concern and you want a roof that turns heads in the neighborhood, a standing seam metal roof, a composite (synthetic) shingle roof, a cedar shake roof, or a slate roof is the way to go. Just know these roof systems are considered premium and come at a price most homeowners can’t afford.
That’s why the most common type of roofing material used today is architectural asphalt shingles. Like I said earlier, I don’t recommend breaking the bank for a new roof.
4. Deciding if you want to add upgrades to your roof replacement
When getting a replacement, you’ll have a set list of materials and components your roof absolutely needs. But most homeowners don’t realize a new roof can be customized by adding some upgrades or upgrading certain materials.
This brings us to the next decision, determining whether or not you want to upgrade certain aspects of your roof. These upgrades can be for aesthetic purposes or to improve functionality.
(Metal accent)
Some common upgrades are adding metal accents in certain areas, getting an improved metal for flashing, choosing different roof vents, or upgrading your entire ventilation system. If your area experiences a lot of snow or ice, there’s even an upgrade to prevent leaks caused by ice damming.
Like everything else I’ve covered in this article, making this decision comes down to your budget. Every upgrade you add, the more it increases the price of your roof replacement.
How much does a roof replacement cost?
Now you know 4 big decisions you’ll have to make for your roof replacement. I’m sure you realized making these decisions ultimately comes down to your budget.
You may already have a set budget in mind for your new roof, or maybe you just don't know what a good budget number is. Either way, you can't make any of your decisions until you know how much a roof replacement costs.
Unfortunately, it can be hard to find pricing in the roofing industry. But we have no problem answering the cost questions that are usually avoided.
That’s why we wrote another article breaking down the average price of a roof replacement and the price per square foot of the most popular residential roofing materials.
Since 1990, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped thousands of homeowners in Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas with all of their roofing needs. We believe in providing all the information needed so you can make the best possible decisions for your situation.
To learn the budget you’ll need for your new roof, check out How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Roof? (The Price of Your New Roof).
