Replacing your residential roof will be expensive. It’s a big job that requires extensive planning, financing, and skilled professional contractors to finish. Be aware that costs can spiral out of control if you’re not careful.
How do you make sure that spiraling costs don’t affect you? We’ll give you a few tips to help guide you, and make sure that your spending stays within projected costs.
1. Take your time while planning.
Take your time to plan unless you have a weather-related roofing emergency that needs immediate attention. Get the correct measurements on the square footage of your roof. Right measurements help you calculate the number of roofing materials you need, and how much it will cost.
Consult with your contractors. Make sure you’re settled on the style, shape, and color of any roofing options before you sign a contract. Compare estimates between different roofing companies and find reviews for your contractors. Make sure they have a good reputation, like Prominent Construction, and have done the sort of work you’re asking them to do.
2. Before you get an official estimate, get a reasonable quote.
Contractors will give you an official estimate once they’ve inspected your roof. They will detail all the materials needed and the projected duration of the project. Use the square footage you’ve measured and ask for a rough estimate before they do an inspection. That way, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect from the final inspection, and it will let you plan financing options.
3. Prepare for the unexpected.
Your roofing project is almost guaranteed to have unexpected costs, such as an extended stay in a hotel because your house is uninhabitable. Or your contractor may discover further damage once work has begun. Plan for these costs in your budget to avoid surprises when the unexpected happens.
Plan to set aside between 10 – 20 percent of the budget to cover any unexpected problems that might arise.
4. Stick to the plan.
The quickest way to exceed your budget is by making alterations to the plan while the project is underway. Settle on the roofing style and colors and stick to it as the project progresses. Changes to the original estimate can cause delays and require your contractor to order new materials.
Sometimes things happen that even professional contractors can’t predict. Contractors often discover problems once the work has started that are unavoidable, which is also an excellent reason to stick to the plan. If you make alterations on top of these complications, your budget will break with little room left for emergencies.
If you follow these four simple steps you’ll have more success and less frustration with the whole project. Work with your contracting company and let them help you plan for contingencies. Asking many questions is often the best way to avoid costly budget overruns.
If you’re ready to get started, give us Prominent Construction a call today. We offer fast, affordable services with quality results and accurate quotes.
