Cheap Roof? Prepare for Expensive Consequences
When we look for a good quality roof, we’re usually talking about something that’s leak-proof and lasts decades. Regardless, many homeowners are forced to replace their roofs within ten years or less.
This presents a significant cost. If your roof started leaking before a replacement was made, you might also be looking at the expense of repairing water damage inside your home.
As such, the most expensive roof you could possibly buy is the one that needs early replacement. This often applies to cheap roofs, constructed by contractors that cut corners to cut costs.
When choosing your roofing contractors, you should, therefore, be very suspicious of low prices. Trust us, a roof above your head is worth an investment.
Good Roofs Aren’t Cheap – but They Should Be Affordable in the Long Run.
Even cheap roofing cost thousands of dollars to install in today’s climate. But a roof built to last will always be more affordable in the long term.
Roofing prices are continually increasing as time goes on, and if you invest in proper construction now, you won’t have to face soaring costs in less than ten years.
Investigate your roofing contractors carefully if their prices are on the low side. Here are some of the ways a cheap roofer cuts corners where a better contractor invests in quality instead.
Most importantly, cheap roofers use cheaper and often less reliable materials, don’t install them properly, and don’t deliver on promises.
Low-Quality Contractors Cut Corners
Below are a few of the most common ways inferior contractors cut corners:
Using cheap underlayment. This can fault protect your home when water gets behind the shingles. This happens regularly, even with the best shingles, and should be of good quality.
Reusing old drip edge, underlayment or other materials
They use only three or four nails. Top manufacturers demand at least six to get a full warranty on their product.
Using lower quality shingles that don’t withstand the weather as well.
Hiring untrained people for cheaper labor
They may also only carry the minimum $50,000 required insurance to register as a contractor. This is never enough to cover serious accidents.
This could leave the homeowner responsible for medical and/or property bills, even if they’re the contractor’s fault.
Some cheap roofers may opt not to become registered contractors at all! Always inquire about their insurance policies before you make a hiring decision.
You should always ask for certifications, registrations, and previous customers when you choose a roofer in your area. This will allow you to make sure that they practice excellent working standards.
Concerned About Your Budget? Choose Affordable Roofing Materials
Your choice of materials can massively reduce the final cost of your roofing. It’s essential to choose carefully as the quality of the material could affect maintenance costs later on. Some of the best inexpensive but popular roofing materials include:
Asphalt
Asphalt shingles are known to be the most affordable and are a popular choice amongst homeowners. Their price makes it easier to carry out roof repairs. Damaged asphalt shingles are easy to replace.
Asphalt shingles come in many colors and options so that they can add to the curb value of your home. They are also durable and offer excellent protection from the weather. Asphalt shingles have a life expectancy of around 15 years.
Metal
Metal is a popular choice due to its appearance, durability, and low maintenance. The price tag is three times as high as the typical asphalt shingle roof, however.
Despite the higher installation price, these roofs can often last more than 50 years. As such, you could be saving on maintenance costs in the longterm.
Metal roofing can also help save you air conditioning costs in the summer. Namely, because with a metal roof, solar radiation reflects away from the house. Pretty neat, right?
Wood
Wooden roofing is another option with a life expectancy that might surprise you. While wood has dropped in popularity (as other materials are deemed less of a fire hazard), wooden roofing is now treated with fire retardants, making them a safe option.
They are resistant to the elements and insects and can last up to 30-40 years. Wood shingles are a less pricy option than higher-end roofing materials.
Choose Roofing That Will Weather the Ages
A decade may seem like a long time, but if your roof only lasts ten years, you’ll still experience the struggle of replacing your roof at a high cost.
As such, the most affordable roofing contractor is a high-quality one that provides a service that stands the test of time.
This is critical for ensuring your roof lasts you for many, many years to come. Ask for references and interview them carefully before hiring them.
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