Roof Replacement

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A leak does not necessarily mean the roof is bad. Most leaks occur in the flashing around any protrusion through the roof, like chimneys and vents. Consequently, a leak could simply be a result of old and cracked tar, or that the flashing was improperly installed.

When buying an investment property, or budgeting for repairs, a prudent investor needs to be able to estimate the life expectancy of an existing roof. A cursory look is not adequate because a shingle roof can be almost worn out, but still look good from the ground.

The price of a new roof varies depending on the type of material used and how many layers are on the roof already. Local building codes vary, but a rule of thumb is that, if there are already two layers on the roof, you'll want to do a tear off and start from the bottom. That could also entail some re-sheeting which adds considerably to the cost.

The cost of composition roof replacement per square (10 ' X 10 ' ) might be $50 to $ 10 0 (depending upon location) for a new layer of shingles and about double that for a tear off. The costs of replacing roofs of other materials (e.g., various types of tile or wood shake) will usually be significantly higher.

The need for a new roof in a few years should not necessarily eliminate a property for consideration for purchase. It makes sense to look at all the financial aspects. If it looks as if it will turn a good profit and/or provide a good income in spite of needing a new roof, then the cost of a new roof might not matter.

The above topics are discussed in much more depth
on our members' Maintenance & Repair page.

Non-Members' Homepage