Roof Installation Costs 2021

As a homeowner, you know that you’ll eventually need to replace your roof. Whether you have shingles or a metal roof, it won’t last forever. 

How long your roof lasts before it requires replacing will depend on the material it’s made of. However, you can expect that a roof replacement will be necessary within the space of 30 to 50 years. This can put a strain on your finances, as you’ll need to pay for roofing materials and a roofing contractor. 

If you’re looking for accurate cost information for roof installation, you're in the right spot. In this guide, you'll learn:

• The signs that you need a new roofing system
• The average cost of a new roof, including its installation
• The steps it takes to install a roofing system
• The reasons for hiring a roofing contractor
• Whether or not your roof may be under warranty or covered on your homeowner's insurance
• Ways to extend the life of your old roof
• Tips for saving money on a roofing installation

What Are The Signs You Need To Install A New Roof?

Whether you need to repair your roof or replace the entire thing, you’ll need to know what a roofing project will entail. 

Whatever you decide, you’ll want to make sure that a strong wind won't take your roof with it. Re-roofing is a large home improvement project and is expensive, so you need to be sure a replacement is needed and that you don't just need a roof repair. Here are some signs that it's time to hire an installer and replace the entire roof:

• Dark streaks from airborne algae
• Loose shingles and debris close to the chimney and edge of the roof
• Buckling or curling shingles
• Large spots without any shingles
• Age
• Bits of shingles or granules in your gutters or gutter drains
• Roofing nails in your gutters, drains, or around the outside of the house
• Soft or spongy spots in the roof's interior
• Damage to the flashing
• Loose or damaged decking
• Clogged gutters that allow water to accumulate on the roof for long periods of time

Like many of us, you probably only see the shingles on your roof — other parts and pieces, such as ridge cap shingles and metal flashing, may not be so noticeable. 

However, a roofing contractor can confirm when a replacement is needed, rather than a repair. There are ways to help extend the lifespan of your roof and cut down on re-roofing expenses. 

Here’s a quick video that covers how to cut cap shingles: 

What Is The Average Cost Of Installing A New Roof?

Square foot matters when it comes to replacing an entire roof. Another big determinant in the cost is the type of roof, whether it’s asphalt shingles, tab shingles, or a metal roof. 

You can expect to pay between $4,700 to $10,460 for an average home with a gently sloped roof and between 1,700 and 2,100 square feet of space inside. Of course, this is an estimate for an asphalt shingle roof. You may have to pay more for other types of roofing materials. 

How Do You Install A New Roof?

There are many parts to a roof system. When a roof repair is no longer sufficient, you need a roof installed that meets all the local building codes. This involves more than nailing down a few shingles. Here are the steps for installing a new roof:

1. Remove Old Roofing

This step is exactly what it sounds like. The roofing material is removed, from shingles to roofing nails. When you tear off all these items, you’ll need to have a place to deposit the debris (which will be considerable).

2. Evaluate The Roof

Once the roofing material is gone, the roofing contractor inspects the interior of the roof. The structure is usually made up of wood. The contractor must ensure that this isn't decaying or rotting. If it is, you may need to replace the substructure of your roof. 

3. Protect Against Ice

Ice may damage your roof and warp the wood underneath it. To protect against ice, the roofing contractor may add a sealant to the underside of your roof. This helps to minimize the damage from melting ice. 

4. Put On Drip Edge

Shaped like an L, the drip edge is the metal flashing that fits the edge of the roof. This essential structure funnels water away from the fascia and off the edge of the roof. 

5. Install Underlayment

Using a chalk line as a guide, felt paper is placed over the sheathing and roof deck with roofing nails and other fasteners. On the section of the roof that overhangs the eaves, it's a good idea to place waterproof shingles to protect against ice dams. 

6. Install New Roof

With a starter strip and starter shingles, the roofer lays down all the shingles, using roofing nails to affix them to the building. 

7. Seal Roof Vents and Pipes

The final step involves sealing the roof vents and pipes. Caulking and roof membranes will be affixed to roof vents and pipes to act as a sealant. 

After all of this, you must clean up the mess. Most professional roof installation companies will carry away all the old materials. If you're going from a shingle roof to metal roofing, it’s possible to place the new metal roofing over the old shingles and skip the first step. 

Installing a new roof is a major home improvement job, so you need to make sure the roofing contractor has an impeccable reputation. You’ll also need to choose materials that are top-rated for durability. 

Should You Hire A Roofer?

Yes, it's always beneficial to hire a roofing company. Working on a roof and replacing the roofing material can be dangerous work. Safety is just one of the benefits of hiring a roofer. Other benefits include:

• Saving money: Yes, you do pay high prices to a roofing contractor, but if you're re-roofing on your own, you'll need to buy special tools and equipment. This can include ladders to roofing nails. Also, you'll need to lease a trash receptacle and have it hauled away when you're done. These expenses add up. 
• Saving time and hassle: Completing a roof installation is hard work. It takes a lot of time to remove and replace the felt paper, drip edges, and roofing tiles. You probably can’t tackle a home improvement re-roofing project in a day or even a long weekend. But, depending on the size of your roof, a roofing contractor and its team can complete it in a day or two. 
• Avoid injuries: From a fall from the roof to an injury caused by roofing tools, re-roofing your home comes with inherent dangers. You don't want to lose any money you may save by running up hospital bills or missing work. 

Is Your Roof Covered Under Warranty Or Insurance?

There are some occasions when replacing your entire roof may be covered under your homeowner's insurance policy or a warranty. However, it's more likely that these protections will only cover roof repairs. 

Your homeowner's insurance will cover some things, however, such as damage from hail, a fallen tree limb, or a tornado. 

In some cases, your insurance may not cover what it considers to be "acts of God." You need to carefully review your insurance policy to find out when and if a new roof or roof repairs may be covered. 

While your roof is under warranty, the roofing company will come out and assess any damages and make any necessary repairs. Without a warranty, the roofing company or manufacturer may only cover a portion of the repairs, depending on the age of your current roof. 

Some people have home warranties that they purchase. Very rarely will a home warranty cover the replacement of an entire roof, but they will probably cover roof repairs. 

If you notice a leak and think that you may need some roofing work done, it's a good idea to note the date and time that you found the leak and contact the warranty company immediately. 

How To Extend The Life Of Your Roof?

Due to the expenses involved in re-roofing your home, you want to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. There are some things that you can do to extend the life of your roof. These things include:

• Keeping your gutters cleaned: Water can be one of the most damaging elements to the inside and outside of your home. If your gutters fill up with leaves and other debris, water will accumulate on your roof. Standing water can weaken and rot a roof. 
• Trimming trees and branches: You may think the reason to do this is to keep branches and limbs from falling on your roof, and it does. However, leaves that land on your roof and stay there will begin to decay, and this can weaken the integrity of your roof and create the need to repair or replace it. 
• Routine inspections: Whether you inspect it yourself or hire a professional, you need to inspect your roof once a year or so. Any needed repairs need to be completed as soon as possible so the damage doesn't spread. 

Regular maintenance on your roof can save you money and go a long way towards ensuring its longevity. 

How To Save Money On a Roof Installation

Re-roofing your home is an expensive home improvement project and one that you don't need to complete but every few decades. 

When the time comes to hire a roofing contractor and replace your asphalt shingle roof or metal one, you want to save as much money as you can. Here are a few tips for saving money on your roof installation:

1. Get multiple quotes: While you may know someone in the roofing business, they may not provide the best value. Get quotes from several roofing contractors. It may save you a few hundred dollars that you can use on something else. 
2. Replace your roof in the off-season: Like any other professional contractor, roofing companies have a busy season, usually late summer through the fall. If you opt to have your entire roof replaced in the winter or early spring, you may be able to get a better deal. 
3. Opt for an overlay: An overlay is an option where the roofing contractor places new shingles over the old ones. In this situation, the old shingles and underlayment stay in place. You need to seriously consider this option before moving forward. An overlay can void any warranties you may have and make it more expensive to replace the roof in the future. 

Replacing the roof on your home is a large home improvement project. Understanding the process of roof installations helps you make better decisions.