Your future roof replacement on your Nashville, TN, home will be a big investment. Unfortunately, the roofing industry’s bad reputation means you need to be on your toes with the amount of money on the line.
The great thing is that there’s an easy solution to avoid the bad Nashville roofers: education. Well, that’s what we focus on.
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped Nashville, TN, residents with all of their roofing needs. But even though we won’t be the roofer for every homeowner, it doesn’t mean we can’t still help out.
Below are the 7 things you need to know before replacing your roof in Nashville, TN.
1. Don’t look for the cheapest roof replacement you can find in Nashville
Getting a roof replacement isn’t cheap, but it’s crucial not to go looking for the lowest price and cheapest roofing company in Nashville.
Once a bad roofer knows you’re looking for the cheapest roof, they’ll lower their prices to outbid other companies in the Nashville area. Unfortunately, they’re only able to offer these low prices by using cheaper quality materials, cheap labor, or leaving crucial components off your roof completely.
You shouldn’t break the bank on your roof, but I guarantee there will be problems if you try to find the cheapest roof possible. So, if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Only consider local Nashville roofing companies
It’s absolutely crucial to hire a roofing company that’s local and established in Nashville, TN. Any potential roofing company must have a physical office location in the Nashville area, a local area code, and must be licensed, bonded, and insured in the state of Tennessee.
This is mainly to ensure you’ll know where to find them if you have problems and that they’ll still be around in the future. However, it also means they know our local installation codes, the paperwork required, and everything else needed to ensure your roof complies with our state's requirements.
Just know that our area gets flooded with out-of-state companies knocking on doors after big storms. The bad ones undercut the local Nashville roofing companies, get the money, and move on to the next storm-hit town without caring about local codes or if they properly install your roof.
3. Talk to multiple Nashville roofing companies
I’ve been a roofer and owned Bill Ragan Roofing in Nashville for over 30 years, but that doesn’t mean we're right for every homeowner in our area. That’s why it’s not a bad idea to talk to and get estimates from multiple Nashville roofing companies (three at the most).
Doing this is the best way to find the roofing company you feel comfortable with and trust while also comparing prices for your budget. However, it also helps you avoid getting taken advantage of by roofing companies that’ll try to sell you a new roof no matter what.
If one roofing company is adamant you need a replacement, but two others say you only need repairs, it’s probably not time for a roof replacement.
4. Get a full roof replacement instead of a nail-over
A nail-over reroof skips the tear-off process and nails a new asphalt roof over the top of your old asphalt roof. It’s much cheaper than a full roof replacement, but it has major drawbacks that make it risky.
These drawbacks include:
- You won’t qualify for an enhanced warranty
- Aesthetic issues if you upgrade the type of shingle
- Your current roof flashing has to be used
- It’s harder to repair a roof leak
- You can’t check the condition of your roof decking
- Added cost when replacing the roof in the future
Even if you want to get a nail-over, it doesn’t mean your roof is right for one. Your roof must be at the end of its lifespan, lying down flat, have a few penetrations, a little flashing, and no walls that butt up against the shingles.
That’s why you should always opt for a tear-off reroof (aka roof replacement) instead of nailing over your old one. In fact, reputable roofing companies recommend a full replacement 99 times out of 100.
5. Make sure your roof gets everything it needs
A roof replacement means your old roof is torn off to a clear decking before all new materials and components are installed. Every single component has a specific purpose and should be included in every roof replacement.
The following components and materials included in a roof replacement are:
- Roof decking
- Roof flashing
- Underlayment
- Drip edge
- Ice and water shield
- The roofing material
- Ridge capping
- Roof vents
- Pipe boots
Unfortunately, bad roofers find ways to leave certain components off to lower their prices. But with this list and knowing what should be included, you can determine if anything is missing from your estimate before signing.
6. Choose the right roofing material for your budget
Other than the roofing company you choose, the type of roofing material you choose has the biggest impact on how much your roof replacement will cost. That’s why choosing the right roofing material for your budget is crucial.
An asphalt shingle roof is the best choice for homeowners looking for affordability. This affordability is the main reason architectural asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in the country.
If you want more curb appeal and life, luxury asphalt shingles will be around double the price of an architectural asphalt shingle. Moving away from asphalt, a standing seam metal roof costs almost triple the price of an architectural asphalt shingle.
There are also synthetic shingles, cedar shakes, and slate tiles, but these are premium roof systems most homeowners can’t afford. The important thing is to pick the one that fits your budget and invest in quality on that specific roof system.
7. Carefully review your roof estimate before signing
I can’t overstate how crucial it is to carefully review your estimate(s) and the line items before signing anything. If it impacts the cost of your new roof, it must be included as a line item in the estimate.
Below are the things that should be included in every roof estimate:
- The number of layers to be torn off
- How your property will be protected
- Installation method
- How they’ll handle replacement decking
- Drip edge
- Your roof system’s components
- The roofing material you choose
- The roof vents
- Replacing pipe boots and flashing
- Dump fees and clean-up
- Warranty info
- How long the estimate is good for
- Your right to recession
You also need to compare the line items on your multiple estimates to help you understand why different roofing companies charge a lower or higher price. For example, there should be a line item for tarps to protect your landscaping, pool, or other areas during the roof replacement.
If one company has this as a line item and another doesn’t, you need to consider if the cheaper price is worth potential property damage. This is just one example, but it shows how doing things right can cost more.
It’s also crucial to read the fine print to check for hidden fees or clauses that release them of liability for damages.
How much does a new roof cost in Nashville, TN?
Now you know the 7 things every Nashville homeowner needs to know before replacing your roof. However, there’s still one thing that this article didn’t go into much detail in.
This, of course, is how much a roof replacement costs in Nashville, TN. Pricing is always the biggest concern when homeowners make decisions about their roofing projects.
Unfortunately, most cost-related content focuses on individual pricing instead of the total cost. This creates the misconception that getting a new roof is cheaper than it really is.
Even worse, it makes homeowners like you distrust actual roofing companies because they think they’re trying to price gouge. But the truth is, a new roof’s cost should cause sticker shock because that’s what it takes to get a quality roof.
That’s why I wrote another article to be as transparent as possible on the cost of a roof replacement specific to the Nashville, TN, area.
Check out How Much Does a New Roof Cost in Nashville, Tennessee to learn the budget you’ll need for your upcoming roof replacement.
