Your roof takes a lot of abuse. Birds, rain, moss, sun damage… your roof has seen it all. Roofs serve as barriers between you and the harsh elements, the first line of defense against sometimes-cruel Mother Earth. But if your roof isn’t holding heat in during the winter, or if it’s starting to leak a bit during a particularly bad rainstorm, you’re going to need to look into having some work done. And this can be a bit of an investment: According to Remodeling Magazine, the average cost for a complete roof replacement in the US in 2014 was between $19-$35k. This is something you will likely need to budget for.

Roof Inspection

The absolute first step you should take when embarking upon this adventure is to have the roof inspected by a professional roofing contractor. If the roof is newer, you will likely be given a list of repairs that need to be done. If the roof, however, is between 15 and 20 years old, you may have to consider a complete roof replacement. When the inspection is complete, always be sure to ask for an estimate. This will offer you insight as to the materials and work needed, as well as the labor hours required. Experts say you should get no fewer than five estimates before deciding on a specific company. They also caution against picking a company solely on a low estimate: Sometimes you do get what you pay for.

Materials

A roof can be made of many things. Your shingles may be concrete, or they may be wood. They may be metal, or more commonly, asphalt. Each material has its own pros and cons; for example, asphalt tends to be the least expensive, whereas metal, while being pricier, is the most durable. Most importantly to this scenario, the type of roofing you currently have will partially determine the amount and type of work needed to perform your roof replacement.

Roofing is sold by the square-foot or by the hundred-square-foot, so there is often some wasted material that needs to be accounted for in your budget. Another cost to consider, for some of the population, is the problem of a flat roof. A flat roof has multiple layers that must be constructed, as the elements will hit it more harshly, not having the slant to allow water and other weather artifacts to roll off. Often these types of jobs will require a roofing felt and bitumen. In addition, one must consider disposal service for all of the old shingles and damaged wood that will be shed from your home.

It’s also important to consider that things do not always go according to plan. The roofer may encounter an unforeseen complication, such as a mold issue, gutters that need replacing, or rotten plywood underneath the roofing. Before the work has begun, discuss with your contractor what potential issues might crop up, and be prepared to pay a bit more than you expected. Experts say that you should be prepared with an extra 20% over budget in case something comes up.

Replacing a roof is an investment, but one that will keep you and your family happy and dry for years to come. Your roof takes a lot of abuse from the elements for you- maybe it’s time to say thank, you with a facelift!