There will invariably come a time when it is no longer feasible or economical to keep repairing your home roof, and the only way is to replace it. While online roofing calculators can prove handy in generating a ballpark figure for a new roof cost, there are several factors influencing the cost that online calculators do not consider because every roof is unique. Some key factors:
Square Footage
According to Forbes, the square footage and the choice of materials play the most significant roles in deciding the cost of a new roof.
It is because you need more materials for underlying structures and shingles. While the area in square feet of your home can give you a reasonable idea of the area of the roof, the calculations for the roof will need to include overhangs, garages, walkways, and entryways. The actual measurement is a skilled task only professional roofers like Quick Quote Roofing of Brandon should do. Follow the map
Roof Slope
In many places, architects give roofs a slope to allow ice and snow to drop off naturally, which otherwise would have damaged the roof. However, including slopes adds to the cost of a new roof. Generally, you will spend significantly more if your roof has a steep slope because the roofer may need to use special equipment and be much more careful of the safety hazard. The roof slope factor also adds to the area that the new roof must cover. You can find the slope factor using one of the many online calculators or charts.
Wastage
Going by the area of the roof for buying the materials required for a new roof is not a good idea as usually, you will need to consider 10-15% extra to account for wastage. However, your roofer is the best person to tell you the extent of wastage you need to account for since the calculation can vary according to the roof style and materials. The waste factor considers the material overlaps in the valley and hips beside the material cut off around gable ends, penetrations, and around flashings.
Roofing Materials
The cost of a new roof can differ widely due to the materials. You may also need to comply with local building codes or rules of housing societies and associations. You may also need to consider the demands on the roof by the local climate and weather conditions. You may have to rip out the entire roof and replace the decking, underlying materials, vents, and flashing in addition to the shingles. You will discover a considerable difference in prices due to the difference in materials, quality, warranty, performance, laying procedure, aesthetics, and other factors.
Conclusion
By now, you will have realized that generating a cost estimate for a roof replacement is not as easy as one would tend to assume. In addition to the factors already discussed, the cost will also depend on the roof design and shape, the extent of damage to the existing structures, charges for material disposal, extended warranties, and of course, the skill and experience of the roofing contractor.