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Top 7 Reasons To Avoid A DIY Roof Replacement

It’s no secret that a full roof replacement or repair can be expensive. Because of this, it can be very…
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Jacob Wadding

It’s no secret that a full roof replacement or repair can be expensive. Because of this, it can be very tempting to want to do the work yourself.

After all, how hard can it really be to nail some shingles to your roof?

Despite all the tutorials and advice columns available on the internet, it is not advisable to repair or replace your own roof. You may think you’re up to the job and that it will save you a ton of money, but taking on the task can cause you far more trouble than it’s worth.

Here are 7 reasons to avoid a DIY roof replacement.

7 Reasons To Avoid A DIY Roof Roof Replacement

aerial view of a full roof replacement

1. It Isn’t Really Cheaper

It’s expensive to pay someone else to repair or replace your roof. A relatively standard asphalt-shingle roof replacement costs anywhere from $8,700 to $22,000. On the other hand, the materials to cover the same amount of roof are much less expensive.

On the surface, this looks like an easy decision to make.

However, when you hire a professional roofing company to handle your project, you’re not just paying for the materials. You’re paying for experienced roofers who know what to look for when they’re looking at a damaged or old roof. They can spot damage to the skeleton of your roof, heading off expensive repairs that may happen down the road.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could easily not spot a problem with the materials you’ve gotten, the condition of your roof, or the way you’ve installed the materials. These can all lead to pricey damage in the future, and you could be out far more money than you would have spent for the initial roof replacement.

Additionally, if you’re not experienced, you will spend a lot of time figuring out how to install your new shingles. That’s a lot of evenings and weekends spent on your project that you’re not spending doing other things around your home.

2. You May Void Your Roof Warranty

close up of new roof replacement after diy job

Many shingle manufacturers only honor their warranties if the shingles are installed by a certified installation company.

By tackling the job yourself, you’ve automatically voided the warranty on your products, so if there really is a defect with what you’ve received, you can’t get your money back. Even if you do the job perfectly, you still run the risk that something will happen with the materials down the road.
While you may save a few dollars initially by installing the roof on your own, it could end up costing you far more over time than you would have spent on a professional installation.

3. You May Lose Your Home Insurance

Your roof is one of the major things that protect your home, and its condition is a big part of determining your rates & eligibility for home insurance.

If your insurance company finds out that you’ve installed or repaired your roof on your own, which can compromise your home’s structural integrity, they can pull your policy and refuse to insure you again. And, once one company denies your insurance, getting another company to insure you is next to impossible.

Rather than taking the gamble that your home insurance company won’t find out (and if you ever have a claim that has to do with your roof, they will find out), hire a professional the first time around and keep your home insured.

4. DIY Roofing Is Dangerous!

roofing contractor shows how to perform roof replacement

It’s no secret that getting up on your home’s roof is risky.

Even if you’re the most confident person who loves heights, there are a lot of potential unknowns about working on your own roof. If you’re unfamiliar with walking on top of your home, or you don’t know how to spot potentially dangerous conditions, you could easily get seriously injured.
And, if you or someone who’s helping you gets injured while working on your roof, that gets reported to your home insurance company and can cause a variety of legal and financial troubles for everyone involved.

Experienced roofers have spent years learning how to properly work on top of roofs. They know how to walk around, how to spot dangers, and how to operate power tools while balancing.

5. You May Miss Big Problems

While you may be able to see that your roof is missing some shingles or that it’s old and needs to be replaced, you might not notice other sneakier issues that can be expensive or dangerous.
Some things, such as rotten beams or sodden shingles aren’t as apparent as a leak, leaving you with damage that continues to erode your roof and your home. Mold, holes, or completely destroyed beams pose a risk to you and your family, and they’re far more expensive to repair than paying to fix the initial problem properly would have been.

6. It Won’t Look As Good

Putting shingles in a row on your roof can’t be that difficult, can it?

While it may seem like a simple job, replacing a roof or repairing the damage so it isn’t obvious takes skill and experience. An improperly installed roof sticks out like a sore thumb, which can greatly impact the value and resale possibilities of your home.

A knowledgeable professional knows how to install the shingles so they’re not only straight but also properly tacked down and aesthetically pleasing.

7. You May Cause More Damage

close up of diy roof replacement removing shingles with pry bar

Have you ever tried to clean up a mess only to make an even bigger mess in the process?
When trying to make your own roof repairs or install a roof yourself, the same thing can happen.
For example, if you aren’t skilled or experienced with nailing down shingles, you could create tiny holes in your roof that take on water and lead to major damage. And if you don’t know how to properly walk on your roof or distribute your weight, you could cause cracking to your other shingles and lead to more expensive repairs.

Professional Roofing Company in Maryland

At ARCH Exteriors, we understand that paying a lot of money for a new roof isn’t always high on your list of priorities. That’s why we work hard to make sure you’re getting the best value for the money you’re spending.

Our team of skilled roofers thoroughly inspects your roof for signs of damage, and we take care of these problems before we ever try to put on a new roof. We’re CertainTeed Select Shingle Master certified, meaning you get the benefit of our more than 20 years of experience backed by the best warranties in the business.

See the difference a roof by ARCH Exteriors can make for your home. Schedule your free consultation today!

About the Author
Your home is probably the most expensive thing you own. When you hire somebody to make improvements, you want high-quality work. In addition, you hope they’ll take the same care you would. You want someone with a good reputation, legitimate credentials, well established, using quality materials, and who charges a fair price. For over 11 years, I have worked hard to provide all of those benefits to my clients. One of the major reasons we have been able to do that is our ability to keep highly qualified personnel. Our workers are well trained, properly motivated, and managed professionally. I make certain that I convey measurable systems and procedures that our team understands and can readily follow.

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