Knowing Which Contractors To Work With

Replacing the roof on your home is a pretty big expense. However, if you are on a budget, there are a few ways that you can work to keep your costs down. Here's a look.

1. Skip the tear-off.

Generally, when you have a roof replaced, your roofing company will first remove the old roof before putting the new roof in place. This stage is known as the tear-off. It might sound strange, but in some cases, you may be able to skip it. If your current roof is not too badly damaged, your roofing company may be able to put the new roof right on top. This will save them time and work, which means your overall cost will be lower. 

2. Choose a mundane color.

Shingles now come in a wide array of colors, but the more vibrant colors, like slate gray and green, tend to cost more than the standard black or gray shingles. Also, not every manufacturer makes colorful shingles. If you opt for plain black or gray shingles, you'll have more options, some of which will likely be on the cheaper end of the spectrum.

3. Go with three-tab shingles.

Architectural shingles are all the rage these days. Their varying widths and varied texture make them look unique and rugged. They do tend to last a bit longer than three-tab shingles, and they stand up better to really harsh storms. However, if you live in an area where stormy weather is an occasional occurrence, you may be just fine going with cheaper, 3-tab shingles. They don't look as fancy, but they've been around for decades and are a perfectly acceptable choice for most homes.

4. Do the cleanup yourself.

Talk to the company you would like to hire for your roofing, and ask how much you can save if you do the cleanup yourself. This will save their crew a few hours, at least. You can get a few friends together to pick up the dropped shingles, nails, and other items from the yard. Thank your friends with pizza and beer -- which costs a lot less than a few hours' labor from a roofing company. Take the waste to a local dump or landfill in a pickup truck.

Roofs are not cheap, but there is no reason to over-pay, either. Get several quotes, and follow the tips above. Re-roofing your home may be more affordable than you think. To learn more, visit a website like https://www.skerlec.com/.