How Much Does Roof Repair Cost?

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Your roof repair costs are an investment in your home, as a strong roof in good repair keeps interior spaces comfortable while providing support for a home’s framework. A roof in disrepair allows in outside heat and cold, humidity, and pests, and might even reduce your home’s overall property values!

Average roof repair costs range between $350 and $1000, with many common repairs to a smaller roof averaging between $150 and $400. Labor charges vary, from $45 to $75 per hour on average, as do materials and other added charges for roof repairs.

Whatever your expected roof repair costs, it’s important that you schedule this work as needed, as those costs typically go up the longer you put off needed fixes. A roof in disrepair also increases the risk of added damage to your home while decreasing curb appeal!

While roof repairs are vital for every house, you don’t want to assume you can “DIY” this job or leave it to a general contractor. There are many important reasons why this job is best left to a qualified roofing repair contractor near you, even if your home’s roof needs only minor repairs. Note some vital information about roof repair costs and your options for fixes so you know what to discuss with a roofing contractor near you.

How Much Does Roof Repair Cost?

Your roof repair costs vary according to average price for labor in your area, the price of materials needed for repairs, and the extent of repairs as well! To narrow this information down a bit more, consider some factors that might affect your estimated or expected roof repair costs.

• Flashing is a metal material placed between shingles and a home’s chimney, roof vent, or other areas, creating a watertight seal. Cracked, bent, or otherwise damaged flashing increases the risk of water leaks inside the home. The extent of damage to flashing and the amount of material needing replacement affects your overall roof repair costs.
• Vent booting is a type of gasket used to seal roof vents, creating a watertight bond around the vent. Cracked vent booting, like damaged flashing, leads to interior water leaks. Replacing that booting as well as a damaged vent increases roof repair costs.
• Leaks around skylights might necessitate the removal and replacement of that skylight, depending on the extent of damage. Upgraded skylights might add to your roof replacements costs but can also mean a more comfortable interior inside the home!
• Some roof repair involves removing the felt underlayment that provides cushioning and insulation for a home’s roof. Tear-off and replacement of this material adds to your roof replacement costs.
• In cases of severe water damage, roofing rafters, joists, or other parts of a home’s actual framework need replacing. These materials are cumbersome and expensive and add significantly to your roof repair costs.
• During roofing repair work, you might consider new insulation for the home’s attic or upper story. While new insulation might add to your repair costs, it also translates to a more comfortable interior environment and lower utility bills throughout the year.
• Crumbling brick along a home’s chimney needs immediate repairs, lest the chimney collapse! If patching is insufficient, adding new brick or rebuilding the chimney stack will mean increased roof repair costs.
• The materials used for your home’s roof affect overall repair costs. Asphalt shingles are typically the most affordable material, while tile, slate, and metal roofs average almost twice the cost of repairs!

Why a Home Needs Roof Repairs

Since roof repair costs are often steep for many homeowners, it’s helpful to better understand what causes roofing damage in the first place. Avoiding that damage can mean avoiding otherwise unnecessary repairs! Note some common reasons for needing roof repairs and eventual replacement.

• Metal roofs are very durable and known for their longevity; however, rust and corrosion might cause fasteners to pull away from metal sections, or extreme weather conditions might cause expansion and contraction of those sections, leading to water seeping in below those metal pieces.
• Asphalt shingles dry out and become brittle and crumbly over the years and especially when exposed to harsh sunlight. High winds also blow shingles right off the roof! Shade trees offer protection from harsh sunlight and can reduce the force of winds along your home.
• While trees help protect shingles, low-hanging branches might scrape a roof’s surface and drop leaves, twigs, and other damaging debris. Keep branches trimmed back and manicured to avoid otherwise unnecessary roof repairs.
• Ice dams are a common cause of roof damage. Ice dams form when snow melts along the surface of a roof but then freezes again before it can fall off the home! The weight of ice and added snow puts undue pressure on a roof, loosening shingles and causing potential water damage.
• When left unchecked, small sections of water damage might lead to roof rot and more extensive damage. A rotted roof might sag and buckle in certain sections, allowing shingles and tiles to shift, jut up from the roof, or otherwise come loose and need repairs.
• Clogged gutters allow rainwater to back up to the edges of a roof; that water is then absorbed by the roof eaves and shingles, causing damage to the roofing materials and the home’s overall framework.
• Low-quality roofing installation often results in early repairs; loose fasteners, stacked tiles, and other shoddy workmanship allows shingles and tiles to loosen over time and water to seep in between those tiles, leading to water damage of a home’s roof.

When Does a Home Need a New Roof?

A home’s roof has an expected lifespan, after which the shingles and other materials are dry, crumbly, thin, or otherwise compromised and not able to provide proper protection and insulation for a home. If your home’s roof is at least 7 years old, you might need to consider a roof replacement rather than repairs, depending on the current roofing materials.

Roof damage is also typically noticeable from the street; while a roof inspection is vital before repairs are performed, you might notice dark spots on a roof, sagging areas, buckled shingles, and sections of missing shingles even while standing on the sidewalk! If you see any such visible damage, it’s time to call a roofing contractor near you right away.

Note, too, that a sudden spike in your home’s utility bills or an uncomfortable interior environment, such as an overly warm and humid feeling during summertime or cold drafts during winter, might signal roof leaks. A home settling, shifting, and otherwise showing signs of unevenness might also be the result of roof damage and a weak roof in disrepair.

What Are the Best Roof Replacement Materials?

A roofing contractor often uses the same materials as currently on your home’s roof when making repairs, but when it’s time for a roof replacement, you have the chance to consider upgrading those materials to something more durable! Asphalt shingles are affordable but consider thick, durable shingles from a name brand manufacturer rather than low-end budget materials.

A metal roof is also strong and durable and offers lots of added insulation inside your home. Metal is also very attractive and works with a wide range of home styles and colors. Slate also offers lots of eye-catching appeal, while a clay tile roof works well with Mediterranean homes. Your roofing contractor might also suggest updated, modern materials that are affordable as well as durable and that would work well for your home’s roof replacement needs.

Never DIY Roof Repairs!

No matter your expected roof repair costs, never try to DIY needed roof repairs! One consideration is that being on a roof is dangerous enough for an experienced professional; homeowners are more likely to slide off the roof, fall off a ladder, or allow tools and other items to fall and create a danger for someone below. To stay safe, stay off your home’s roof!

Proper roof inspection is also vital before repairs begin. However, it’s easy to overlook damage to roofing tiles, flashing, and other materials, as sometimes dents, tears, and loose shingles are difficult to spot. A professional roofing contractor near you is experienced at roof inspections and ensures nothing is overlooked.

Related Questions

Can you put a metal roof over a shingle roof?

Whether or not you can put a new roof over existing roofing materials depends on local building codes, the condition of the current roof, and the overall stability of your home’s framing. A roof contractor near you can inspect your home’s roof and note if it will need a tear-off or if you can add a new layer over the existing roof.

Why avoid a general contractor for roof repairs?

An experienced roofing contractor ensures a thorough inspection before repairs are performed. He or she will also note any damage to flashing, the home’s chimney stack, the roofing underlayment, and other materials. While their roof repair costs might be steeper than a general contractor, this ensures a proper repair job that last for years!