Every homeowner knows how important it is to keep up with home maintenance. Your roof is a major component of your home and can sometimes be a big part of your home maintenance budget.
It’s an art to keep the costs of a home repair project low and not affect the quality of the work. Creating a budget for your next roof repair and understanding the factors involved will help you make informed decisions. Let’s have a look at some of the factors affecting your roof repairproject.
Size Of Your Roof in Square Footage
Roofing companies have a term that you may have heard – they refer to “squares” when sizing a roof. The square refers to an area that is 10’ x 10’ in size. If the square footage of the roof is 2,500 square feet that equates to 25 squares. As you can see, the larger your roof is, the more shingles you’ll need to cover the surface. You’ll also need more flashing and roof decking. Roofs consist of a number of layers to protect from the elements. The number of laborers required for any roofing job is directly proportional to roof size. Keep in mind that the square footage of your roof is not the same as the square footage of your home. If you have a covered patio that will add to your roof’s square footage as well.
Number Of Chimneys and Skylights
Chimneys and skylights are known as roof penetrations, the more penetrations that a home has, the more flashing and sealing are needed. Since these protrusions effectively pierce through the roof, the corners need to be sealed to stop leaks. Sealing up roof penetrations is time-consuming and uses more materials.
Choice Of Roofing Materials and Underlayment
Not all roof coverings are equal, this can also be said about roof decking, capping, and underlayment. There are many options available each of them ranging in price. Clay roof tiles are not the most cost-effective but could be the only style that suits your design aesthetic. Some roofing underlayment systems use hot-mop applications and often come with a higher labor cost. Also, you may need to consider your homeowner’s association – do they have guidelines dictating the type of roof you can have.
Ease Of Access to Your Roof
The simpler it is to transport materials on and off your roof the more cost effective it is. Some homes have a lot of landscaping and shrubbery around the house and these add to the difficulty for contractors gaining access to the roof.
Roof Repair Permits
Yes, you read that right, municipal authorities also take their cut. Depending on what city your home is in, you may be required to pay a flat rate for your permit or a rate that is dependent on your roof size and scope of work. Larger projects may end up costing more in permit fees and this is an important factor to add to your budget because it’s a fee that cannot be avoided. The city of Coral Springs has a set of roofing guidelines posted on their website.
How Damaged Is Your Current Roof?
Living in South Florida, hurricanes, rain, and humidity are part of everyday life and your roof is the first layer of protection for your home. Contacting a local roofing company to assess how much damage your current roof has is a good place to start. They can do a visual inspection of your roof and provide an estimate for the roof repair or roof replacement if needed.
Roofing Company in Broward & Palm Beach Counties
At ABC Roofing Corp. we’re proud of our reputation for quality and reliable service. We’ve been covering South Florida homes on all fronts for over 30 years. Our staff have a wealth of knowledge and always offer service with a smile. If you’re in Broward or Palm Beach County and need your roof repaired, give us a call at 954-344-4622.
