Roof Replacement: DIY or Hire the Professionals?

Roof Replacement: DIY or Hire the Professionals?
Are you in need of a roof replacement? Are you considering tackling the project yourself? Before you do, check out how we compare DIYing to the professionals.


In 2017, residential consumers in Texas paid a monthly average of $122.47 for their electric bills. This sums up to a whopping $1,469.64 for electricity use alone -- in only a single year!
That's a hefty chunk of your hard-earned money -- dough you could've used for more important stuff. Worse, you could've actually paid more, because of your faulty roof!
That's right.

A damaged roof can send your utility expenses through the roof -- literally. If the damage is beyond repair, your next best bet is a roof replacement.
Now, the question is, can replacing a roof be a DIY project? Or is it one you should delegate to the pros?

That's exactly what we'll cover in this post. So, be sure to keep reading to find out whether you can handle replacing your roof on your own.

First Things First: Do You Really Need to Replace Your Roof?
To repair or replace your roof, that's the first question you need to ask.
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In other words, don't take out your existing roof unless you've made sure it does indeed need replacement. You wouldn't want to spend $5,000 - $10,000 (or more) on a new roof if you could have easily repaired the old one.

A roof inspection is something you can do yourself so long as you have a stable ladder and other safety equipment.

But why risk it if you can get free roof inspection from professional roofers? This is a much better, safer option. Plus, they can tell you right away if your roof only needs repairs.
So, when do repairs make more sense?

If you only have a few loose or missing shingles, you may be fine with just repairs. The same goes true if there's only a minor leak a strong seal can fix. You can do these repairs yourself or of course, have professionals do a much faster and solid job for you.

But, if your roof suffered from an impact from a tree branch or trunk, you may already need a replacement. These objects are quite heavy and they could've compromised the roof's internal structure.

Also, if your roof already has several leaks, replacement may be a more practical solution. This is especially true if the leaks are too big and already seeping into the ceiling. Old age (typically between 15 and 30 years) is also a factor for replacement.

Now that you know when and how often you should replace a roof, let's look at the hows of replacing it.

The Many Steps Involved in Replacing a Roof
The first step on how to replace a roof is choosing the material for your replacement. Do you want to stick to the same asphalt shingles or do you want to go slated, tiled, or metal? Remember, you now have many options when it comes to new roofs, so decide first what you want your new roof to be.

The Roof Tear-Off Basics
Let's say your current system is a shingled roof and you want the same for your replacement. You then have to decide whether to tear off everything or put in a second layer of shingles.

The latter may save you time and money. But know that starting with a clean slate will give you a longer-lasting new roof.

If you opt for a complete strip-off, you'd need special types of tools, starting with a tear-off shovel. A huge trash container (for the debris) and a push broom to clean the roof are also must-haves. Other supplies you need include specialized ice and a water barrier as well as felt paper.

The Basic Tools and Materials You Need for a DIY Roof Installation
Aside from the things you need for the roof strip-off, you also need access to several more. An extension ladder, pry bar, hammer, cat's paw, and let's not forget the new shingles and adhesive. For your safety, don't forget to pick up a harness and leather gloves.

These are only the roofing basics of setting your home up with a new roof. But as you can already imagine, shopping for these supplies will take up a lot of your time and cash.

The Safest, Fastest, and Most Efficient Way to Get Your New Roof
The above are only some of the things to consider when replacing a roof. But the fact that there's plenty of them should already make you want to hire pro roofers.

Granted, you may save some cash from a DIY replacement job since you don't have labor costs to think of. But you're still at risk of actually spending more since you need specialized tools. Then, there's the longer length of time it'll take you to finish the job.

Speaking of time, you also need to consider weather conditions. All your hard work may go to waste if you don't finish before bad weather comes in. The most important thing you need to consider, though, is your own safety.

800,000 people need hospitalization every year because of a fall injury. In many cases, these falls have led to head injuries or hip fractures. This should already tell you how dangerous they are if it happens from a roof.

Hire Professional Roofers for a Roof Replacement Job Well Done
With so much work involved in a roof replacement, it's easy to see why hiring pro roofers is often the better choice. Not having to worry about your safety should be a good enough reason! But there's also the benefit of having the entire project finished in much less time than you'd need for a DIY job.

The bottom line is, reputable roofers are experts in what they do. This means you can expect a flawless replacement complete with a warranty.

Want to talk about your roof that needs replacement? If so, please feel free to ring us up. We'll be glad to take your call and answer any roofing-related questions you have!