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Costs, Permits, and Emergency Roofing

Writer's picture: Jay LundeenJay Lundeen

Andrew shares some insights on What factors most influence the cost of a roofing project.

What factors most influence the cost of a roofing project?

There's several. I would say the ones that I think most homeowners don't take into account would be things like the pitch of their roof and how multifaceted their roof is. 


Can you explain what multifaceted roof means?

If you think of a kind of what's called an up and over roof. Like a ranch house with just a roof that goes front to back and it's just kind of a triangle over the home. It's not multifaceted. There's technically two, but it's a very simple roof. Whereas a roof that has like an A-frame gable over the front door that then leads to a garage that's in a different orientation up and over and then they have like a porch in the back that's roofed at a different pitch.

All of that can lead to more cost because there's a higher waste factor because you're cutting shingles and other materials at each section point or each facet point as well as it's more labor intensive to seal each of those sections correctly and then tie them into one another.


How do material choices like shingles, metal, or tiles affect overall expenses?

Asphalt shingles are by far the most cost-effective roofing material out there for people that have aesthetic desires for metal or tile. I think it's just important that people know that these are not slightly more expensive. They can be wildly more expensive. And again, importantly, you're not getting the big longevity difference that you used to compared to the three-tab asphalt shingle. Now, with the architectural asphalt shingles, again, most of those are warrantied from anywhere from 35 to 50 years. So, you're getting a lot of time out of a much more cost-effective material.


What are some hidden costs homeowners might encounter during roofing projects?

A good thing about roofing is that you really shouldn't have too many hidden costs. Most of that should be caught by the person you're talking to who comes out to your home or takes a look at it. A big one that I do think people don't consider enough is the wood decking itself. And that is sort of impossible to know. You could have indicators that you're going to need some decking replaced, but you won't know the full extent of it until everything's removed.


Now, a good company should tell you, one should talk to you about that prior to moving forward with the project. But they should also have pricing of your roof replacement for you ahead of time for what it would be either per linear foot, per square foot, or per board in the event that you need wood replaced.


What permits are typically required for roofing work and how can homeowners obtain them?

In most of our area, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, permits are not a requirement for a roof replacement unless you are doing a full deck replacement. There are both counties in all of those states and then things like DC where permits can be required um depending on what you're doing. But that process, good companies should at least help you with that process if not handle it completely. I will say kind of related to this is HOA approvals and that is something that people should consider certainly well they'll have to do some of the leg work for that because you're going to have to a lot of HOAs require you getting neighbors approvals and they're your neighbors so you should be a part of that. But HOA approvals can also be something that companies will help you with, but you might have to do a little leg work for.


What are the consequences of skipping permits for roofing projects?

If a permit is required and you don't get one, um it can be a real problem. This the most annoying, but least consequential of which is that states that require permits will oftentimes have people who will be driving around and get verified of an install taking place, they'll come by, look for the permit, and if you don't have one, they will make you stop in the middle of the install. You could have a roof that's half torn off, and the company has to stop and go get a permit before they can come back and finish it. That's both annoying and can lead to a disastrous outcome. But it also has implications for things like your state home improvement commission in the event that you have an issue if a permit hasn't been obtained. And ultimately, companies can say that they will get the permit for you. It is the homeowner's responsibility to have the permit. So, the company can say that they will get all of that for you, but it is ultimately your responsibility to verify that.


Why is it essential to hire certified professionals for emergency roofing services?

Obviously, nobody likes to be in a situation where they have a roof emergency. Um, but in the event that you do understanding how complex that is to solve and then the long-term ramifications of it not being properly sealed is very important. If you have a storm related leak that the negative effects of that leak can spread not just internally but through the roofing system very rapidly. If you don't have somebody who's certified and knows what they're doing when they go up there to try and either tarp it or seal it, um until you can get it more permanently replaced, the problem can just kind of compound.


And how should homeowners budget for emergency repairs and what cost should they expect?

I would say that if you have a roof that is under warranty from both the manufacturer and the company that installed it, the huge benefit of this is you don't have to worry about it. It's all covered. So that budgeting and concern comes right off your plate. If that is not the position you're in, then I would really recommend budgeting for the replacement. And again, an important thing to consider is for home improvement projects like this, you know, essential home improvement projects. There is a lot to be said for financing options to avoid a problem before you're on the back foot dealing with an issue when it's just too late.


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