Guess what?
In 2018, the market for roofing contractors jumped by 12 percent in a single year. With so many people searching for flat roof repair costs, it’s no wonder why you might be looking for roof repair costs too.
Want to learn more about roof leak repair costs?
If that’s the case, then we’ll show you the way. Read on to find out how many estimates you should get for roof repair costs!
How Much Does Roof Repair Cost?
While we all know that it isn’t cheap to fix a roof, some of you may be wondering how much it costs to repair it in the first place. That’s where we come in. Luckily, we’ve done all of the hard work for you.
For starters, expect to pay at least $350 for an average roof leak repair job. On the other hand, more complicated jobs mean more money. So, prepare to shell out up to $1,500 depending on the amount of work that you are getting done.
Usually, roofs that are made out of asphalt shingles will sustain damage near blown off or loose:
- Flashings
- Skylights
- Chimneys
Of course, most problems of this nature can be solved by replacing missing or damaged flashing or shingles. That way, your roofer can also uncover where the leak originated.
Have you noticed the problem spots on your roof recently?
If so, then the last thing that you should do is ignore it. For the initiated, water can seep inside and rot wood beneath the surface if you don’t take immediate action. Unfortunately, this can lead to more serious issues like mold growth as well.
It gets worse. When roofs get moldy, it can lead to an entire roof replacement. And nobody wants that, right?
Now that we’ve got that covered, the cost of replacing a pipe flashing and a few shingles runs anywhere between $200 and $350. When it comes to roof flashing repair costs, get ready to pay between $300 and $450 for a total replacement.
To replace “lead counterflashing” on a chimney, it costs between $450 and $700. If you want to completely renovate you roof valley, it can cost anywhere between $500 and $1,500. But how much do roofing companies even charge?
How Much Do Roofing Companies Charge?
If you are wondering how much roofing companies charge, you’ve come to the right place. Even though some professional roofers charge as little as $45 per hour, others charge as much as $75 per hour. Also, roofing companies can offer you a flat rate.
For instance, the average price of a “flat roof repair” in Massachusetts is a flat rate of $425. Not only does this original flat rate cover several hours of labor, but it also pays for all of the roofer’s materials.
However, if the roofing expert needs more time to do their job, that means that you can expect to pay a higher rate in the end. For example, the same Massachusetts roofer that we mentioned above would charge $100 per hour if the job costs them over two hours to complete.
If you’re not good at math, that works out to $25 for every 15 minutes of work. But have no fear – since roofs can typically be repaired within a couple of business days, your bill won’t continue to climb forever.
Oftentimes, several unexpected costs can creep up along the way, which could include anything from:
- Downspout and gutter repair
- Leaking skylight repair
- Water stained ceiling repair
- Damaged soffits and fascia boards
- Underlayment installation
- Roof sealant application
While downspout and gutter repair only costs about $15 per section, seamless gutters can’t be fixed at all. Therefore, anyone with seamless gutters on their roof can expect to pay for a full replacement.
On the flipside, leaky skylight repair can easily run between $300 and $550. Likewise, roof sealant application can cost an additional $800 to $1,000.
Bottom line: it pays to have extra money to cover these surprise repairs.
Don’t know which roofing company to hire? We’ve got your back.
How Do I Choose a Roofing Company?
Here’s the deal. Choosing the right roofing company for you can be beyond difficult, especially with so many options to look at. Not to mention that roof repair is an expensive investment as well.
Before you dig into your pockets, take a look at what you should look for in a roofing company. For example, experience is one of the number one things that you should take into consideration. So, there’s no harm in asking the roofer who will work on your house how long their team has been in the roofing business.
It doesn’t hurt to ask them if they have done any similar properties either. If they aren’t more than willing to answer your questions, you may want to continue your search.
While we are on the subject, longevity is another important factor in the roofing company hiring process. Once you find out how long they have been in the business, you will have a much better idea of how legitimate their company is.
In addition to this, asking them about the price of their services should be a no-brainer. Even though every estimate varies depending on the home, it also varies depending on the quality of the installation process. As always, it’s not a good idea to pay for the cheapest company that you coming to contact with.
As you may already know, excellent customer service is another telltale sign of a professional roofing company. Since most people only pay for one roof replacement, you must work with someone who can answer your questions.
Make sure that the roofing representative takes the time to talk and walk you throughout the whole process. If you’re having a hard time contacting the company when you need them the most, you might want to look elsewhere!
How Many Estimates Should I Get?
Don’t know how many roofing repair estimate you should get?
We’ve totally got you covered. One of the first things that you should do is get estimates from at least three different roofing repair companies. This will help you to make sure that you are paying the fairest prices for the best services.
Instead of selecting the first couple of roofing companies on the web, pick a few local companies after asking for references from:
- Family members
- Neighbors
- Friends
Once this is done, ask previous customers for their recommendations before you decide which roofing company to hire as well.
The next step is to ask your roofing companies what they are trying to inspect too. Since your roofer will most likely check out your roof before giving you a quote, knowing what they are searching for in advance. This is a great way to gauge how much your estimate will be.
On top of roof size and pitch, additional factors that will impact your estimate include:
- Shingles that need replacement and removal
- Damaged decking
- Roof water damage
Another word of advice is to ask your roofer about their insurance, location, and any other questions that may come to mind. This will help you to weed out the good roofing company from the bad roofing companies in no time.
Have you considered how much roof patching material actually costs?
If not, allow us to enlighten you. One of the biggest expenses for roofers is the cost of their building materials. Sometimes, roofing companies mark up their services significantly as a result.
Pro tip: asking your roofing company of choice what the cost of their materials is will help you narrow down the competition like no other.
While you’re at it, the last thing to think about is which companies responded first!
What Questions Should I Ask My Roofer?
When you meet up with your roofer for the first time, you may feel anxious and have trouble asking the right questions. Fortunately for you, we are here to help.
After you’ve asked them how many years they have been in service, it’s important to jot down their insurance or license number as soon as possible. What should you do if they don’t have the proper documentation?
The answer is simple: don’t let them step into your home. That’s because they can get seriously injured on the job, which good and that being a huge financial liability for you and your family. To avoid getting ripped off, ditch shady companies before signing serious contracts.
That being said, be on the lookout for roofing companies that have been working in your community for more than five years. However, that doesn’t mean that you should write off small midsize roofing companies either. As long as they can show you three client testimonials, you should be good to go.
In addition to this, it is also a good idea to ask your company about their “add-ons policy.” By that, we are referring to those little extras that current throughout the project. Whether it is additional time or labor, you are going to want to make sure that these charges are minimal at best.
Before you hire a roofer, getting clarification about their add-on policy and reviewing your contract is the wisest thing you can do. However, if these charges occur, be sure to keep track of them via a change order form that should be supplied to you by the roofer.
Simple as that!
What Else Should I Ask My Roofing Company?
Wondering what else you should ask roofing company?
Naturally, you’re going to want an itemized expense list so that you know what to expect from your roof repair estimate. This should include things like:
- All materials
- Estimated labor hours
- Start dates
- Completion dates
- Labor rates
Moving forward, be sure to check that the removal of your old roof is included in the original estimate too. Otherwise, it will cost you anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000 in the long run.
Better yet, competitor prices on your itemized list to those that are posted online. Then, ask your roofer any questions you may need. Don’t agree to the figure just yet, even if you think that number is low.
Since your estimate may shift depending on additional charges, your estimate could double over time. At this point, you won’t be able to switch to another company either, especially because you’ll be midway through your roofing project.
If you end up taking your roofing company to court, you’re going to need your itemized list as proof of documentation as well. If they are not living up to their services or their estimate, you can win your case. That way, you will get the money that you need not matter what.
Last but not least, avoid roofing companies that offer you cash discounts. Although it might be tempting, we highly recommend that you stay far away from these deals. The truth is that you never know if these companies have poor business ethics until it’s too late.
Also, asking for cash is a major red flag, particularly because it points to tax evasion or lack of insurance. However, keep in mind that there’s nothing wrong with roofers who reduce the rate for you if you offer cash to begin with!
Renovating Your Roof? Review Roof Repair Costs
Renovating your roof?
In that case, it doesn’t hurt to review roof repair costs first. From average rates to add-on policies, we’ve got everything you need to succeed. Once you compare estimates and choose the right company for you, the rest should be a breeze.
Good luck!
Need a hand with your roof repair project?
Don’t hesitate to contact us for free same-day estimates today!