Do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement projects have become more popular. When there are thousands of simple DIY tutorials to watch online, it can be tempting to attempt it yourself. It looks fun, easy, and it can also help you save money.
With a massive investment like roofing, many homeowners may want to jump at the chance to save as much as they can. A job as simple as a roof repair can even be needlessly expensive, especially when you choose to hire a professional roofing company in Fairmont, WV.
The cost of roofing projects depends on your choice of material, labor, and other necessary tasks needed to get the job done. However, labor takes account for about 60% of the budget. It makes it easier to understand why homeowners would want to do the work themselves as much as possible.
While this might mean that you can save more by removing labor fees, it could actually cost you a great deal more. Here are some expenses that many people haven’t thought about and you should consider when starting a DIY roofing project.
Building Materials
When homeowners think about the costs associated with their roof, they mostly focus on the price of the shingles or roofing materials. This might make you question the amount you pay contractors when the estimate matches the cost of the number of shingles you need.
However, it actually takes a lot more than just the roofing materials to get started. It would be best if you also considered other costs such as boards and plywood, nails, underlayment, flashing, sheathing, starter strips, and venting, as well as the rental dumpster for the debris. The expenses can pile up to more than your first estimate.
Tools
Tools are necessary to do a job more successfully, safely, and less tediously. Typically, homeowners who like to complete home projects have the essential tools. However, a professional roofer often has over 30 tools and pieces of equipment in hand when just working with asphalt shingles. This includes the tools and roof materials to get the job done and the safety equipment.
When you have the right tools in your toolbox, roofing projects will surely go smoothly without any setbacks. However, you’ll end up spending so much more than you initially expected to add all the necessary tools to accomplish the job successfully and safely. You might not even use those tools ever again. This beats the purpose of saving money through DIY.
Professional roof companies don’t have to worry about the same problem. They will be using their tools and equipment regularly.
Injuries
DIY homeowners need the right set of tools and a basic understanding of how roofs work and practice proper safety procedures. They also need to be comfortable with heights. If you don’t feel at ease with climbing at heights, you shouldn’t attempt a DIY roof replacement.
Though being too comfortable with going up the roof is just as dangerous as this can make you careless. Even seasoned DIYers and some professional roofers sometimes underestimate the dangers of taking on a roofing project. In 2017, a CNBC article listed roofing as one of the most dangerous jobs in America.
While working on your roof, you don’t only have to carry heavy materials and tools when you climb up a roof. It would help if you also had the perfect balance and stability to walk on an inclined roof. A single misstep or losing your balance for a moment can land you in the hospital, where you’ll be losing more money. This way you will lose your money and also your health.
Doing it Wrong
Many homeowners attempt to perform a lot of roofing tasks themselves to save money. After all, a significant part of the roofer’s estimate includes their training, knowledge, and experience. Doing it yourself would indeed reduce your expenses. The problem is not everyone has the skills to do it.
As with most home renovations, roofing is a complicated job that requires professional training. Even simple mistakes can have a massive effect on your roofing projects’ outcome. This will damage the roof further while not solving the original issue. In the end, you’ll be forced to hire a pro to fix your mistakes along with the initial problem.
Void Warranties
Mistakes can happen even when professionals are the ones working on your roof. The difference is that professional roofers and shingle manufacturers will provide warranties to prevent additional spending on your end.
Manufacturers and professional roofers are confident in the quality of their products and artistry. This is why they’re willing to work on your roof or provide materials for free in the off- chance your roof fails because of low quality or manufacturing defects.
However, manufacturers may not honor their warranty if you attempt to perform roofing projects yourself. There are instructions and building code requirements that should be followed to become eligible for warranty coverage. Ignoring the manufacturer’s recommendation or making a mistake will void your warranty. Since you haven’t hired a roofer, you won’t even have their warranty to fall back on.
Additionally, some manufacturers will clearly mention that their warranty will be voided if someone other than a professional work on the roof. This is done to prevent any unnecessary damage or accidents on the roof.
Lost Insurance Claim
An insurance policy typically does cover your roof and the cost of replacing it as it gets damaged. The coverage is usually limited to the damage or destruction caused by a sudden accident or act of nature. Your insurance company may deny any further claims if you make a mistake when attempting to fix your roof with your insurance policy payout.
They may argue that you will be accepting the risk of your repairs if you don’t hire a professional roofer. You’ll end up with a bigger roofing problem than when you started without any legal recourse to get the damage covered.
Fines
Any roofing project is required a building permit by many cities or towns before you can perform further work on it. However, many homeowners are unaware or simply disregard this necessary procedure. This is a costly misstep and one to be avoided. A permit ensures the city that the person doing the work is not breaking codes or laws as it shows who is liable if the project results in some type of loss.
Some localities don’t allow self-installation, and others make you sign a waiver. It’s in your best interest to obtain these permits. If you don’t pull the permit, you’ll eventually pay a fine for skipping. A city inspector can also put a stop to your roofing project once they find out a permit was not issued during an inspection.
If this happens in the middle of a roof tear-off, your home will be vulnerable to the outdoor elements until you get a permit. This will surely add to your long list of expenses.
Anyone can gather information about any subject matter on the internet, including roofing projects like roof repairs and replacement. However, roofing takes more than learning the know-how. It requires skill and experience to handle potentially unexpected complications and ensure that your roof will be functioning correctly.
Roofing contractors have the necessary training, experience, and skill to handle the labor. Hiring a professional roofer like Fahey Roofing Contractors will free you from your worries about your roof’s current and future condition.
Fahey Roofing Contractors has the experienced and skilled contractors you need to help you with any necessary roof repairs and roof replacement. We serve various areas in West Virginia and Ohio. Visit our website today at www.faheyroofingcontractors.com or contact us at (304) 826-1323 for West Virginia or (740) 523-0380 for Ohio to learn more.
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