Things to Avoid in Residential Roofing Projects
Tip #2: Don’t Underestimate the Size of Your Roofing Project
Underestimating the size of a major project, like roof repair or installation, can lead to more harm than good. For starters, if you don’t have a trained eye to appraise the size and scope of a project, you may not know when you need to hire a professional for help.
If you’re dead set on tackling a DIY roofing job, it’s easy to bite off more than you can chew.
Many times, it’s difficult to know when to call for expert help – until it’s too late. For example, if you have detected a leak in your roof, it could be the sign of a much more serious issue.
Many common household roof leaks are directly related to improperly installed flashing. If you don’t have a basic understanding of where the source of a roof leak can occur, you could waste hours looking for a leak to make a quick fix.
Once the leak source has been identified, the vulnerable section of a roof must be repaired carefully and meticulously to prevent further water damage from occurring. Unless new flashing is installed correctly and at the proper location on a roof, a leak could easily return in full force after the next rainstorm.
That’s not to say that you can’t use the information in this guide to repair a leaking roof. But if you’re new to the world of roofing and don’t know what you’re looking for, it may be worthwhile to call professional roofers for an assessment before tackling a project of an unknown size.
As you evaluate an issue in your roof to determine whether or not to take on a DIY job, set aside enough time to take accurate measurements and calculate your roofing needs to the penny. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises from “popping up” throughout your project in the form of hundreds of dollars of extraneous expenses.
As you calculate the needs of a roofing project, here are several common mistakes to avoid at all costs:
- Math Errors: It’s easy to incorrectly tally the cost of labor and materials needed to repair or install a new roof, especially when adding manually. Always check and double check your arithmetic before coming up with a final project estimate.
- Incorrect Measurements: As you measure the dimensions of your roof to plan a construction project, use the help of a friend to measure carefully and double check all specifications. Jotting down the wrong measurement could cause you to buy too little or too much of a roofing material and derail a project completely.
- Lowballing Supply Costs: Before purchasing multiple supplies for a roofing project, do your research, and do it well. Conservatively estimating the costs of roofing supplies, including materials, tools, safety gear, and a ladder, can hurt you in the long run if you don’t have enough cash to cover your project budget.
Last but not least, don’t forget the cleanup necessary in any roofing project, whether it is a major or minor repair. You may have to pay extra for the city to haul debris and used roofing materials from your home or business. You may also have to pay additional fees to transport heavy equipment and machinery to your project site.
Accounting for every detail in a roofing project will help you to realistically estimate the amount of time and money involved. Armed with this information, you’ll be able to make a smart decision about whether or not you can handle a DIY job, or if you should hire a professional roofer instead.
A & J Reliable, Inc. is one of the most trusted roofing companies in the Tri-State Area. For professional recommendations on your next roofing project or to receive a FREE estimate, please contact us today! We’re happy to answer any questions to ensure quality, reliable roofing for every project.
Learn more about the do’s and don’ts of residential roofing.
