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Roof Repair Advice

If your roof is in need of urgent repair, you have come to the right place. I am not a roofing contractor, but I have just finished replacing the roof on my home when the old one failed. The contractor I called in helped me to assess the condition of my old roof and to choose the right type of material to replace it with. He carried out the work quickly and kept me informed about what he was doing. I have learnt so much from the experience that I wanted to share my new found knowledge with the rest of the world.

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Factors That Affect a Roof Replacement Cost

by Krin Rodriguez

The cost of a roof replacement varies depending on the specific building and roof, so a general estimate is virtually impossible. Various factors, as explained below, affect the overall price. Read on to discover what may affect the cost of your roof replacement.

Roof Complexity

Naturally, the roof size is relevant as a larger roof will need more cladding, taking longer to assemble than a smaller one. The complexity of the roof shape also comes into play. Complicated roofs will usually cost more as they're more fiddly than straightforward roofs. A skillion roof that consists of a sloping single plane is one of the easiest roofs to replace. Other shapes include a hip roof that looks like a pyramid or a gable roof that forms an inverted V-shape. If the pitch is especially steep or you have a two-storey house, the costs can increase as the roofing is trickier to work on.

Roof Framework

The roof cladding sits on a skeleton structure, usually made of timber beams, but they may use steel. Once the old cladding is removed, the underlying structure will be bared, revealing damage that may not have been evident before. For example, timber beams may be rotted and need replacement. Unwelcome surprise structural problems can drive up the cost of a quote you were given. Depending on the building structure, though, contractors may be able to inspect the condition of the roof framework from the crawl space.

Another reason you might need work on the underlying structure is if you're changing from a lighter roof material to a heavy one. For example, if you're swapping from metal to concrete or terracotta tiles, the roof framework may need extra reinforcement to hold the tiles. Often, a structural engineer will be called in to assess the situation and advise on what's required to keep the building safe.

Roof Material

The new roofing material will also impact the replacement cost. The exact cost of a substance depends on the specific product. But steel roofing is generally cheaper than tiles, and concrete tiles are often cheaper than terracotta tiles. Natural slate tiles are often at the top end of the price scale.

Roof Removal

Removing the old roofing material also changes the cost. Depending on the particular setting, it may often be more pricey to remove tiles than metal sheets, for example. Tiles are heavier, and many small pieces cover a roof, making the process more complicated. If the old roof has asbestos in the structure, you'll pay more as special safety processes will be required. Another thing to consider is the disposal of the old roof, whether it is going to a tip or recycled.

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