If your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, you may have considered a DIY roof replacement. Replacing your roof is a costly investment, causing many homeowners to consider a DIY roof replacement in order to save some money. Plus, with the plethora of educational information on DIY roof replacements on the web, finding the knowledge and instructions you need is easier than ever.
While choosing a DIY roof replacement is completely at the discretion of the homeowner, as the roof is their personal property, this may not be the best option for everyone. We highly recommend working with a contractor with expertise in this area to help you with such a large and important venture. In this article, we discuss 4 Things to Consider When it Comes to DIY Roof Replacement, in order to make an informed decision when it comes to your roofing needs.
Table of Contents
– DIY Roof Replacement
– Safety Hazards
– Hefty Up-Front Costs
– Professional Skills Required
– Warranties
– DIY Roof Replacement vs. Working with a Contractor
DIY Roof Replacement
DIY roof replacement is tempting for most homeowners, as fixing your roof yourself is one way to avoid paying a contractor, and could save you some money when paying for your new roof. This may be a valid option for those with experience when it comes to roofing, and for those who may already have the tools and materials needed on hand.
For homeowners without the proper knowledge and necessary equipment, however, this may not be the case. Below we discuss 4 things to consider when it comes to DIY roof replacement, so you can make a conscious decision as to whether or not this is the best option for you and your roofing needs.
Safety Hazards
When it comes to DIY roof replacements, the first, and probably most important, thing to consider is your personal safety. Working on a roof is dangerous, especially for someone who is unfamiliar with roofing. Professional roofing contractors have both the necessary knowledge and safety training needed to work and walk on a roof.
Not only that, roofing contractors have the proper safety equipment to go along with their extensive safety training. That being said, accidents can still happen on a professional roofing job, even with the most experienced and vetted roofers. This is important to mention because if accidents can happen with a vetted and skilled roofing professional, they can just as easily happen to the untrained homeowner.
If you need a roof replacement due to storm damage, there are a variety of other safety concerns to be aware of. If a storm damages your roof, then there is a high chance that the integrity of your roof as a whole has been damaged, as well. The last thing you want to do is walk around on a roof that has been weakened due to a tree limb falling on it, for example. This could result in serious injury. Plus, you will want to be sure to restore the integrity of your roof before the next storm strikes, and a contractor will be able to get the job done fast, and correctly.
Another factor you will want to consider when it comes to your DIY roof replacement is how you’re going to get on and off the roof. If you’re uncomfortable with walking on a roof or using a ladder, then a DIY roof replacement is probably not the best option for you. We understand that saving money is appealing, but not at the cost of your personal safety, and putting yourself in a potentially dangerous situation.
Hefty Up-Front Costs
No matter what type of DIY roof replacement you’re working with, you’re going to need the proper materials and tools to do the job right. This can be a huge investment, especially for someone starting from scratch. Some tools that you may need if you’re thinking about a DIY roof replacement include roofing nails, a tear-off fork, measuring tape, and a chalk line, but that’s just to name a few!
And having the necessary tools is vital to completing the project, but just as important is choosing the right materials to install, especially if you want to avoid leaks in the problem areas of a roof. A few of the materials needed for a roof replacement include the following:
- Roof Decking
- Roof Flashing
- Drip Edge
- Ice and Water Shield
- Underlayment
- Shingles
- Roof Vents
- Pipe Boots
- Ridge Capping
All of the above items are necessary to keep your roof from leaking, and to ensure you get the maximum years out of your new roof. Some people like to take shortcuts when it comes to this process, and may try to get away without installing or replacing one of these materials, but this could be a huge detriment to your roof.
For example, leaving off the drip edge could result in a failed home inspection, since building codes require it. If you do end up going with a DIY roof replacement, make sure you have a list of all of the required tools and materials needed, and be sure to properly install everything on the list.
Professional Skills Required
To do a DIY roof replacement, you not only need the right tools and materials, but also the proper knowledge, expertise and training. While there are a ton of videos and informational articles out there when it comes to DIY roof replacements, it’s important to note that there’s a huge difference between watching an install on YouTube versus completing one yourself.
Not only do you need to know how to install the materials correctly, but also the correct order to do it in. For example, a simple mistake like not changing out roof decking that’s rotting before the installation can lead to bigger problems (and more money) down the road. A qualified roofing contractor will have years of experience to ensure they don’t miss one of these vital steps.
Another important thing to consider is that most roofing contractors don’t work alone, and will work with other skilled roofers to assist in this process. Not only does this create accountability and confidence that nothing will get missed, but it also helps to get the job done quickly and efficiently. DIY roof replacements run the risk of taking much longer than expected, and improper installation.
If you still choose a DIY roof replacement versus one with a roofing contractor, it’s important to know the quality of the finished product can vary drastically. If you’re not 100% confident in your abilities, it is highly recommended to work with a professional. A qualified roofing contractor, like Elite Exteriors, for example, takes the stress out of replacing a roof, and makes the process a breeze from start to finish.
Warranties
One of the biggest disadvantages of a DIY roof replacement is that you won’t have a contractor’s workmanship warranty to fall back on. This means that any mistakes you made during installation, or any damage that occurs due to said mistakes, will be on you to fix. These problems can present themselves right away with the next storm, or maybe even years down the road, but either way, you’ll have to fix the problem yourself, or pay for a contractor to come out and correct it.
When working with a roofing contractor, however, you will have two types of warranties available to you to protect against potential problems in the future. You will have a warranty on the roofing materials that were used, and your roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty. This creates peace of mind for the consumer, as there is someone to fall back on should any issues arise down the road.
With that being said, material warranties are different for DIY roof replacements. You will still have basic warranties from the manufacturer on the materials you buy yourself. So, if there’s ever a problem caused by a defect from the materials themselves, the manufacturer will take care of the problem.
It’s important to note, however, that this does require going through a process with the manufacturer to get it done, and that installing the materials incorrectly will void their material warranty. If you choose a DIY roof replacement, it’s crucial to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer before installing your materials.
DIY Roof Replacement vs. Working with a Contractor
As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to a DIY roof replacement versus working with a contractor. If you have some experience and all of the necessary tools and materials available to you, then a DIY roof replacement may be the way to go to save you some money. However, if you’re new to the roofing industry, it’s highly recommended to seek out a qualified roofing contractor to professionally install your roof, and help you with your roofing needs.
Elite Exteriors is the Southeast’s premier residential and commercial resource for unparalleled service, superior craftsmanship and incomparable quality. And it’s all backed by an unprecedented lifetime labor and materials warranty! We would be honored to help you with your roof replacement, and any other roofing needs you may have. Give us a call today at 470-350-3024 for a FREE initial consultation and inspection, or fill out our online form for more information.