10 Roof Replacement Tips You Need Before Getting a New Roof

Is it time for a roof replacement? Are you worried because you’ve never been through the process before?

A roof replacement is a huge and expensive home improvement project. Because of this, the last thing you want is to get taken advantage of or make the wrong decisions that put your roof investment at risk.

The great thing is that you can avoid this with some simple tips. So, let’s break it all down for you.

For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in being transparent and helping homeowners understand the massive investment they're about to make. So, let’s look at the roof replacement tips you need before starting the process.

In this article, I’ll break down the following 10 tips:

• Know the signs that it’s actually time to replace your roof
• Hiring a great roofer is crucial
• Understand the materials and components you'll pay for when replacing your roof
• Choose the right roofing material
• How much a roof replacement costs
• Don’t go looking for the cheapest price
• You can finance a roof replacement
• A roof replacement increases your home's value
• How long a roof lasts after it’s replaced
• How long it takes to replace a roof

1. Know the signs that it’s actually time to replace your roof

If you know when your home was built or when the roof was installed, you can estimate when it's time to replace your roof based on the number of years that have passed. However, most homeowners don’t know this, so instead you should look for the signs that it’s time for a new roof.

The signs that it’s time for a roof replacement are:

• Curling or buckling shingles
• Lack of granules making the shingles look bald
• Missing shingles
• Roof sagging
• Moss covering your roof
• Blistering shingles
• Finding granules in the gutter

If your roof has any or all of the above, it’s most likely time to replace it. However, you won’t know until after a roofer performs an inspection.

2. Hiring a great roofer is crucial

The most important decision you’ll make for a roof replacement is hiring a company you can count on. So, hiring a great roofer is absolutely crucial anytime you need roofing work.

Unfortunately, the industry is saturated and full of options. That’s why it’s a good idea to talk to and get estimates from multiple 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 or provide poor work.

3. Understand the materials and components you'll pay for when replacing your roof

A roof replacement is replacing the entire roof system, not just the top layer. Every single material and 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.

4. Choose the right roofing material

Other than picking your roofing contractor, choosing the right roofing material is the biggest decision you’ll have to make. So, you need to feel confident when making the right choice for you and your budget.

The best way to do this is by asking yourself a few questions.

These questions include:

• What’s my budget for a roof replacement?
• How long do I want my roof to last?
• Does my area see frequent hail or wind damage?
• Do I want the best material warranties?
• How important is curb appeal to me?

Considering these questions will help you narrow down your options. And as long as you hire a reputable roofer, they’ll be able to guide you based on how you answer.

5. How much a roof replacement costs

Speaking of budget, the average cost for a new roof is between $20,000 to $30,000 in 2026. However, this is a very general price range that doesn’t account for pricing factors specific to your home and roof, such as roof size, complexity, accessibility, etc.

The average is great, but you can get more specific using your roof’s square footage based on the roofing material. Below is a table with the 2026 cost per square foot of the most common roofing materials.

Keep in mind that each price and range in the table is for a full roof replacement on an average home with some complexity, which factors in labor and material costs.

6. Don’t go looking for the cheapest price

The biggest tip I can give you is not to look for the cheapest roofing contractor or roof replacement in your area. Bad roofing contractors have a gift for recognizing when homeowners are looking for a cheap price.

They’ll lower prices to win your business, hoping you’ll jump at the cheap estimate by leaving off necessary materials, installing low-quality materials, and using cheap labor. Now, reputable roofers may lower prices a bit to be more competitive, but they’ll be transparent about why and how they’re doing it.

But if a price seems too good to be true, there are usually reasons why, and you need to be skeptical.

7. You can finance a roof replacement

Just like any big purchase, you can finance your new roof. Financing simply makes it easier to afford a roof replacement with monthly payments.

But like most loans, approval is usually based on proof of income and a credit check. So, getting approved depends on a homeowner’s specific financial situation, credit score, and where they get it.

If you do get approved, financing your new roof is a great way to take the upfront financial burden off your shoulders.

8. A roof replacement increases your home's value

Most homeowners don’t consider this, but a roof replacement increases your home's value in the way of recouping some of the original cost. On average, a new roof increases a home’s value by 40% to 60% of the original roof's price, depending on the roofing material.

However, it depends on the roof’s age when selling your home, the roofing material, and the housing market. But no matter what, replacing your old roof with a brand new one adds a nice boost to your home’s resale value when selling it.

9. How long a roof lasts after it’s replaced

After your roof is replaced, it shouldn’t need replacing again for a long time. The majority of new roofs will last 20-25 years in the United States after installation and with maintenance.

This is mainly based on asphalt shingles, the most commonly used roofing material in the country. However, there are plenty of roofing materials that come in a wide range of lifespans.

Keep in mind that many things impact how long a roof ultimately lasts, like the weather and climate.

10. How long it takes to replace a roof

Most roofs can be replaced in a day on the average home if the weather cooperates and there’s not much complexity. If you have a larger home with a steep pitch, a roof replacement could take two to three days.

On roofs with a lot of complexity and with a premium material, replacing a roof could even take five days to a few weeks. Every roof is different, crew sizes vary, and certain materials require specialized installation, which is why the timeline depends on your specific situation.

However, a roof on the average residence with architectural asphalt shingles can typically be replaced in a day.

What does the roof replacement process actually look like?

Now you have the 10 tips every homeowner needs to know before replacing your roof. Obviously, there’s more to learn when it comes to more specific aspects of a roof replacement.

So, if you have more specific questions you want answered and want to browse, check out our Learning Center. However, there's one thing that I couldn't include in this article that many homeowners care about a lot.

This is what the whole process even looks like and what actually happens during a roof replacement. That’s why I wrote another article breaking down the process a reputable roofer follows when replacing a roof to ensure you have a great experience.

Check out the 8-Step Process to Replace Your Roof to learn the steps a roofing contractor takes when replacing your roof.