What are the extra costs of a roof in North Carolina?

Extra costs will include:-

• Tear down and dump fees for the old roof material
• Labor which is between $150 and $300 per house
• Roof furniture so new or replacement skylights or dormers
• Professional fees for an architect or surveyor if you are opting for roof re-modelling
• Building permits
• Building inspection fees

Ways to save money on the average cost of a new roof in North Carolina

It is difficult to save costs on a new roof without cutting corners and using poor roofing materials or a cheap roofer who doesn’t do the best job.  However, there are things you can do to shave dollars off the final bill.

Choose a cheaper roofing material, North Carolina is a pretty even state weatherwise and so a less robust roofing shingle is an option.  Asphalt shingles, which are the most popular, come in a range of different designs and price bands and they are pretty quick and easy to install.  Buy smart and buy shingles which are discounted or on sale, maybe because they are the end of a particular range; this shouldn’t matter as long as you have sufficient for your own roof size with enough spare for replacements over the years ahead.

Keep the roof design as simple as possible. Complex designs with different roof planes will only add to the labor bill. Roof features are another factor which increase cost so skylights, dormer windows and chimneys all of which take time to fit and require extra materials and finishing. Steeper roofs take more labor than roofs with a less severe pitch.

Make it easy for your roofer to get on site by removing any obstructions or obstacles. A truck which can get alongside the house will be able to offload materials more easily and quickly saving labor time plus a dump truck can collect the old roofing material. This is one contribution a homeowner can make to reducing time spent by making access easy.

Overlaying a roof used to be a popular way to save money but it depends on your local building code.  The North Carolina State Building Code does allow for a maximum of two layers of roof materials, sometimes also called a ‘layover’ roof. Short term savings are there to be had but in the long run, these layover roofs can hide a multitude of problems.  Without removing the existing roof layers, it is impossible to confirm the integrity of the main roof deck or the seal of the existing flashings. Many roofers won’t agree to do a roof layover or overlay and materials’ manufacturers won’t guarantee products unless they are correctly installed onto the original roof decking.  Roofing experts maintain that the overall roof life will be shortened by as much as 20% with a roof overlay.

The return on investment on a new roof in North Carolina

No two ways about it, a new roof is a big spend and for most homeowners doesn’t bring such a joyous and obvious benefit as a house extension or a new kitchen.  But the ROI – Return On Investment – is good and will uplift the property value as well as providing added purchase and curb appeal if you intend to go to market.

A well-insulated roof will also save you money on your energy costs and there are plenty of green roof options out there, some of which attract roof grants.

Finding a good roofer in North Carolina

Ask friends, family and colleagues if they can make a recommendation, it’s great if you can find someone local as then you can probably see other work they have completed in the area.

Social media platforms need to be used with caution as the recommendations are often made by people you don’t know although if one name comes up repeatedly then it is always worth looking into. 

Always get three quotes minimum and try to get them in as much detail as possible. If you need to work to a budget then try and pick a roofer who can help you with this.  Always ask if there is anything that the roofer is likely to charge for that does not appear on the estimate but which might form a separate bill like scaffolding hire.  Only choose a roofer who has made a thorough internal and external inspection of your existing roof, that way you reduce the likelihood of any hidden defects which will bump the bill up once work has started.

Ask your roofer about insurance for his business and what guarantees and warranties will come with both the work and the materials.  Find out if he will organise any building permits.