DIY Roof Replacement:
Is it a Good Idea?

If you’ve ever needed to replace your home’s roof, you’ve probably experienced the sticker shock that comes after hearing the quoted price. It’s no secret that replacing your roof costs thousands of dollars. If you’re at all handy, you’ve probably thought about replacing your own roof and saving thousands of dollars in the process. But is it really a good idea, and will you really save a lot of money? Let’s talk about the challenges and pitfalls of going the DIY route when it comes to roof repair and replacement.

Guidelines

Keep Safety in Mind

Roofing is a dangerous job. Falling is a real risk and common occurrence when working on a roof. If you’re not a roofing professional, you likely won’t have experience staying safe in such an environment, so you’ll need to take a lot of precautions.

Take some time to research the best safety equipment for your particular roofing situation. A trip to the emergency room can be much more costly than a new roof (and more painful, too), so it will be well worth the cost to invest in the following:
  • Sturdy, slip-resistant footwear
  • A stable ladder
  • A safety harness system.
If you’re planning on roofing in the summer, heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses are a major concern. In fact, around 36 percent of construction worker deaths were caused by heat over the last few decades. Roofing is physically demanding as it is, but extreme heat makes it even more exhausting and risky.

If you’re at all concerned that you may not be able to stay safe while on your roof, consider hiring professionals.

Take Weather Precautions

Your roof is your home’s primary defense against Mother Nature. When replacing your roof, you’re naturally going to lower your home’s defenses. With that in mind, minimizing the time your home is exposed to the elements will help prevent damage to the roof’s stucture. Pick a time of the year when good weather is most common, but try to avoid the heat of the summer if possible. Check your local forecast and plan accordingly.

It can take a whole crew of roofers several days to properly reroof a home. If you’re doing it solo or with minimal help, plan on it taking longer. You can also plan on running into roadblocks and other unexpected situations, which also extends your timeline. If your project runs long and you do encounter an unexpected rainstorm, you’ll need to tarp off the section of the roof with exposed underlayment. You shouldn’t install shingles over wet underlayment; the moisture can become trapped under the shingles and can damage the underlayment. You’ll need enough tarps and weights to protect exposed sections of the roof in case of bad weather. 

If weather is a concern, it may be a better option to hire a crew who can come in and install your roof during a period of good weather.

Follow Manufacturer Guidelines

Each roofing material has different guidelines for its use and installation. For example, an asphalt shingle roof installation will be much different than installing a metal or tile roof.

Contractors who work with the materials every day are very familiar with requirements and procedures. If this is your first time roofing, you will need to invest time and research into understanding the proper installation method, including recommended tools or products to use during installation. If that’s not something you feel up for, you’re better off hiring the experts who know the process and materials backward and forward.

Common Pitfalls and Challenges

Improper Installation

Roofing is exhausting and repetitive work that requires precision at every step. Improperly installed roofing materials can cause leaks and damage, even if 99 percent of the job is done well. If not properly secured, roofing materials can blow off of your roof, become dislodged, or fail to protect key areas of your roof.

Make sure you’re confident and able to properly install shingles, flashing, and other roofing materials. If you’re not confident in your ability to install materials consistently, consider hiring expert roofers.

Unfamiliarity with Local Building Codes

Roofing is exhausting and repetitive work that requires precision at every step. Improperly installed roofing materials can cause leaks and damage, even if 99 percent of the job is done well. If not properly secured, roofing materials can blow off of your roof, become dislodged, or fail to protect key areas of your roof. Make sure you’re confident and able to properly install shingles, flashing, and other roofing materials. If you’re not confident in your ability to install materials consistently, consider hiring expert roofers.

Limited Financing Options

Many roofing contractors make financing possible for customers who aren’t in a position to spend thousands of dollars unexpectedly. Even doing a roof replacement yourself, material costs will still run into the thousands of dollars.

Opportunity cost is also a real factor. A DIYer is going to spend hours and hours doing their own installation, which takes away from other ways they could be spending their time.

Lack of Insurance Coverage

All professional roofing contractors should have insurance coverage in the event that accidents or other unexpected damage occur on the job.

If a homeowner falls from their own roof, insurance doesn’t pay for their medical bills, but if others are on your roof and aren’t insured through separate insurance (like a licensed contractor would carry), you could be liable for their injuries.If you have friends come over to help with your roof, you may be exposing yourself to liability in the event that anyone gets injured.

Decreased Property Value

An improperly replaced roof can cause a drop in property value. This can be due to a poor-quality roof installation that won’t protect the roof for as long, allows leaks, or doesn’t look professional or aesthetically pleasing.

Again, if you aren’t confident in the final quality of your roofing installation, consider contacting roofing contractors in your area.

Replacing your own roof can be a good way to save money on this costly home repair. However, there’s a lot that can go wrong when you are replacing a roof, especially if you’re not accustomed to doing heavy-duty home renovation work. If you have the tools, time, and physical ability to haul heavy supplies up ladders, DIY roof repair could be a good option for you. For the majority of people, however, hiring a roofing contractor is going to be a better option. With roofing expertise, insurance, and financing available, local roofing contractors make replacing your roof simple and safe.

If you’ve decided to go with a roofing contractor, contact The Roof Guys. We’re expert roofing contractors in Utah County with decades of experience repairing and replacing local roofs.

Contact Us

There are dozens of signs that your roof may be reaching the end of its life: water damage, leaking, discoloration, brittle shingles, cracked tiles, and rusted metal, to name a few. The best way to know for sure whether or not it’s time to replace your roof is to have a professional come and conduct a roof inspection. If you suspect that it might be time to get your roof replaced, give us a call, and we’ll come out for a free inspection! Trust The Roof Guys for your roof replacement needs.
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