DIY Roof Installation vs Hiring a Professional Roofer
DIY Factors to Consider
If the DIY temptation is still strong after going back and forth in your head about whether or not to hire a licensed roofing contractor, it might help to know the tasks involved prior to installing the new roof.
Depending on the condition of your roof, you may need to replace the entire thing and not just parts of it. If this is the case, then you have to consider the fact that tearing-off or removing the entire roof is no easy task. And once the roof has been removed, you have to check the condition of the planks or boards, and replace them as necessary. In some instances, you may need to install new plywood over your old roof deck before you can install the new roof.
There are minor home repairs or improvement projects that you can do on your own but roof replacement isn’t one of them—unless you are a professional roofing contractor or you’ve had a previous experience in successfully replacing an old roof.
In other words, roof replacement isn’t as simple and easy as painting your walls or giving your kitchen a makeover.
Cons of DIY Roofing:
- Roof replacement by yourself is a long-term commitment. Considering the amount of time required to do the work, it may make more sense to hire a professional roofer. Plus, if you work full time, you can forget about weekend golf outings or trips to the beach until you get the job done. You may want to reconsider now whether saving the money is worth sacrificing your precious free time with family.
- It’s dangerous. You need to consider if you have a fear of heights and/or whether you can carry heavy materials up and down a ladder. Are you comfortable and steady on your feet? Falls from roofs result in thousands of serious injuries and deaths each year. Plus, there’s the risk that comes from roofing in rain or other inclement weather that could be better left to the professionals.
- Tools can be expensive. You may think you’ll save money on labor, but, if you don’t already have the right tools, you may end up spending a hefty chunk of your budget to purchase the right gear and equipment for the job. Plus, you may never use these specialized tools again once the roofing work is complete.
- It requires physical strength and endurance. Roofing involves a great deal of physical labor: climbing up a ladder with heavy gear and shingles and the grueling work of tearing off the old shingles. It also means doing all of this physically demanding work for hours under the hot sun which presents risks for dehydration and even heat stroke. Professionals are trained and equipped for such intense challenges.
- A warranty won’t cover damage caused by improper application or installation. If your mistake results in a leak, you will have to hire a contractor to fix it.
What Makes Professional Roofing Work Better Than DIY?
Cable TV building and repair shows are fun to watch, and informative. They do everything DIY, from installing windows to pouring concrete, to hanging drywall, to roof repair.
Deciding whether to go DIY or hire a professional for roof repairs should come with careful consideration. Your roof is your home’s most important defense against the elements. Here are a few points to think about before getting the ladder out of the garage and going to work.
Experience
Your day job may not involve swinging a hammer, but maybe you’ve helped with or done your own construction work a time or two so you may think roof repair will be easy. If you’ve lost a single shingle, that could be true. However, hiring an experienced roofing contractor in Spokane who will evaluate the entire roof could save you money in the long run as they may find some hidden problems underneath.
It’s safer.
Safety is the first priority for any Seattle roofing company worth hiring. Because roofers risk serious injury, illness and death on the job, compliance with the stringent standards set by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is required of all workers.
Hazards that must be controlled on roofing sites include those associated with working at heights, power tools, electricity, noise, hazardous substances and extreme temperatures. This laundry list of hazards should be reason enough for an untrained homeowner to stay off their roof!
It’s faster.
One oft-touted benefit of DIY home improvement is the ability to fix what you want, when you want—no worrying about scheduling or seasonality! And as much as we love the climate here in the good old PNW, getting your roof fixed before the next rainy day is a pretty big deal. All these are solid votes in favor of DIY…
…until you factor in the time you’ll spend learning to fix the roof, tracking down and purchasing the right materials and doing the work itself. If you can’t (or don’t want to) take time off work, you’ll have to take into account the number of days between today and the weekend as well.
Here’s our point of comparison: most professional roofing jobs are completed in three days or less. If foul weather calls for expediency, temporary repairs can be made within a few hours. The quick fix is meant to prevent further damage until the contractor can do a thorough inspection and propose a more permanent solution. Having a roofing contractor assess the extent of the damage can also help expedite the insurance claims process.
Keep in mind that roofing is an extremely competitive industry, so both you and the contractor have a vested interest in getting the job done ASAP.
Liability and Insurance
Your home insurance will likely not cover any damage you do to your roof by walking on it or repairing it without proper knowledge and skill. When they deny your claim, your insurance company may argue that you were negligent when you tried to fix your roof yourself. If so, you will have to pay for the repairs out of pocket.
Professional roofers are much less likely to make mistakes. When they do, they typically have insurance that will cover any damage they may have caused to your roof, or other property. Reputable roofers will also return to fix any mistakes they made without charging you for their additional costs. By choosing a professional, you gain the protection of their insurance and you save yourself the hassle and expense of dealing with a denied claim.
Can Your Repair Your Own Roof on an Insurance Claim?
If a storm damaged your roof and your insurance company has already agreed to cover the cost of repairs, can you make those repairs yourself? The laws surrounding insurance claims are slightly different in each state and province. It is always best to confirm with a lawyer and your insurance company before you use the funds you received in your insurance claim. If you make a mistake when attempting to fix your own roof with your insurance policy pay out, your insurance company may deny any further claim. They may argue that by not hiring a professional roofer, you assumed the risk of your repairs. In the end, you may end up with a bigger roof problem than you started with and may not have any legal recourse to get the damage covered.
Limited Warranties
When you hire a professional roofer, you may be covered by two types of limited warranties: one from the roofer for labor and one from the shingle manufacturer for product defects. If you attempt DIY roof repair, you won’t be covered by the roofer’s limited warranty. Further, you’ll usually void your limited warranty from the manufacturer too.
Manufacturers require that their products be installed correctly, in accordance with their application instructions and applicable building code requirements in order to be eligible for limited warranty coverage. Professional roofers are best positioned to properly comply with these requirements.
Can Roof Repairs be Made by Homeowners?
You should also consider the damages you may cause to your roof by trying to fix your roof yourself. Even one improperly installed shingle can allow water beneath the shingles, which can do damage to every other layer of the roof, not to mention your home.
If you damage your roof, a professional cannot restore your warranty coverage. They may still choose to offer you a limited warranty on their own work. However, it may be challenging for you to take advantage of that guarantee, as they can always argue that your initial damage to the roof caused the underlying problem.