Replacing your roof is an inportant aspect of protecting your property from water damage, not to mention other outdoor elements that may wreak havoc on your home. Not only this, installing a new roof is an excellent way to boost curb appeal and resale value.
As a homeowner, there are many different styles and designs that you can use to cover your house roof. However, shingles (tiles) are one of the more sought-after roofing options for several reasons. Shingles (tiles) can be composed of various materials and styles, including the classic asphalt shingle, slate, metal and wood shingle (to name a few).
The overall roofing cost depends primarily on factors such as the material of the shingle (tile) and its current price point. But they are known to be highly durable, as they protect your home and maintain the integrity of your roof for years.
To give you a brief estimate, the average cost of installing shingles (tiles) is approximately £40 and £75 per meter square. Depending on the material used.
Having said that, a roof replacement budget can quickly spiral out of control without some key considerations and forward planning. Continue reading if you wish to install a shingle (tile) roof for your property without breaking the bank.
Factors that Affect Roofing Costs
Once you decide to go for a shingle (tile) roof, you must keep in mind the different material options and how they affect the overall cost of the roofing process.
On top of that, you also need to consider the cost of removing and disposing of the old shingles (tiles).
Lastly, you need to consider the roof dimensions and the slope of the roof, as this will determine the number of shingles (tiles) required. The following are some of the major factors that determine roof replacement costs.
1. Roof dimensions
The biggest determinants of the total cost of the roofing process include the shape, size, and slope of your roof.
Roof dimensions are generally measured in squares, each of which covers 1×1 meter. The greater the number of squares that need to be replaced, the higher the overall repair cost.
Roofs with a greater slant angle occupy a larger surface area and increase the total replacement cost. Similarly, the roof surface also plays a role in determining the expense. If your roof has a lot of dips and domes, the cost of replacing it increases drastically.
2. Materials
Raw materials are perhaps the most costly components of the roof replacement process and largely determine the overall cost of the project. Asphalt shingles (tiles) are the most popular roofing options because of their quality and affordability. They are available in different colours and are quick and easy to set up. The best feature of asphalt shingles is that they can be installed over already existing shingles (tiles).
On average, an asphalt shingle costs around £40 per square meter. There are also other high end options like slate shingles that cost around £72 per square meter.
3. Labour
Most roofing projects require the services of professional contractors. Therefore, you need to consider the cost of labour in addition to the material costs. Labour costs can be very verid depending on the area you live in and the demand for roofers. Since Covid the demand for labourers has increased to the point where it is now difficult to find companies taking on work. It’s therefore wise to book months in advance and check with each company regarding labour costs.
Homeowners often prefer to select contractors based on the price alone. However, this is a mistake that you should avoid. The roof is a major component of the protective covering of your house, and you wouldn’t want to compromise on its quality only to save a few pounds.
4. Disposal
The removal and disposal of the old shingles (tiles) are considered as part of the roofing process, hence adding to the overall cost. Make sure you don’t forget to factor this in to the final costs.
What are the Hidden Costs of Installing Shingles?
Like other construction and repair projects, roof replacement may also uncover additional costs that you didn’t factor in while devising your budget. Especially if your house has been around for a while, you must prepare yourself for extra expenses to spring up during the replacement phase.
Gutter Replacement and Cleaning
Gutters, also called rain gutters, are installed on the roof to protect the house from rainwater. They function by diverting the water away from the foundations of your home.
Most roofing companies do offer gutter replacement services. However, this is generally not included in the overall cost of the project and is considered to be an additional expense.
If you want to redo the gutter system from scratch, you can expect to spend around £600 – £800 for the complete job including 5-20 metres of guttering with 3 rainwater downpipes.
On the contrary, if you think your gutter system is functioning well, you can opt for gutter cleaning services. Gutter cleaning prices are approximately £5 per meter, therefore an average of 20 meters will cost £100.
Leaks and Rotten Wood
Most roof leaks are usually discovered during the roofing process, after the old shingles are removed. Leaks can severely damage the structural integrity of your roof over time. If the leaks have already caused widespread damage, the cost of the roofing process shoots up significantly.
The biggest contributing factor in this price hike is the type of roof material that is involved. The material that the roof is made of affects the complexity of the repair services and increases the total cost.
Some Valuable Tips for Homeowners
Installing new shingles (tiles) on your roof can improve the aesthetic and value of your house. You should consider using the roofing materials within your budget that are the most resistant to damage and provide adequate protection. In this regard, metal roofs are very tough and highly resistant to damage caused by snow and hailstorms. Although are they astheticly pleasing here in the UK!
You may also want to consider upgrading other aspects of your roof while looking at how to replace it. Examples can include upgrading a roof ventilation system and mixing different designs and patterns to make the appearance more attractive.
What is involved in roof shingle (tile) maintenance?
Roof shingles should be visually tested at least twice a year for any leaks or damage. If patches if moss are spotted on the shingle, they should be immediately removed because they retain moisture and damage the shingles (tiles).
Are DIY roof shingles (tiles) a good option?
It is better not to take the task of installing roof shingles (tiles) into your own hands unless you have prior experience. Installation requires great skill. You will also receive a warranty for the work while hiring a contractor.
Keeping Your Roof Replacement in Your Budget
To keep your roof replacement within your desired budget, you must minimise the chances of any additional or unexpected costs.
To achieve this, you need to make sure that all items below the roof are covered in plastic and/or removed from the attic during the roof placement process. This is because during installation, it is very likely that building material can fall and cause costly damage.
Secondly, try to get the installation done in a season when workers are less in demand. During spring and summertime, workers have a lot of orders, hence they charge more.
In cooler weather roof work is often less in demand, although during Covid the demand for all forms of building work increased whatever the weather. Either way, make sure that you don’t delay work to the point where the weather is so bad it’s unsafe for workers to work on your roof. Leaving you with delays to repairs and possible water damage from leaks.
Moreover, don’t forget to let your contractor know about your budget restrictions so that they can plan everything accordingly. Keep in mind that some additional costs might come up despite all the precautions. Be prepared beforehand for this possibility.
Conclusion
Deciding on the type of shingles (tiles) according to your budget can be challenging. This article provides a brief overview of the expenses you should consider and the overall dos and don’ts of installing shingles.
We hope that by now, you are well versed in all the hidden costs that might come up while installing roof shingles (tiles). Make sure to plan everything beforehand and keep all the above considerations in mind while getting shingles (tiles) for your roof.
