By now you probably have read dozens of articles about roof replacement, the do’s and don’ts, and hundreds of tips and tricks. And you’ve definitely seen the average price of roof replacements that terrified you. The reality is roof replacements are expensive, but there is a reason for that. Roof replacement takes a lot of work plus materials required, and the working conditions add to the price. So, naturally you might start wondering whether you can do the replacement on your own.
In this article we will discuss the details of professional vs DIY roof replacements. And by the end, you will hopefully be able to decide which option works for you the best.
When can you do a DIY roof replacement?
You may consider doing a DIY roof replacement if you are trying to save money. However, you can’t and shouldn’t replace the whole roof on your own (unless you are a licensed roofing contractor). For one thing, it’s not safe for you because it requires a lot of time and a lot of movements on the roof. Secondly, you don’t have the necessary tools and skills for a complete roof replacement.
You can, however, make small repairs. When your roof needs a partial replacement and you know exactly what needs to done, then it’s something you can do on your own. For example, you can replace old shingles with new ones, given that you have all the safety measures to work on the roof.
You can also identify spots that let water in and result in leaks. This is also something that you can possibly repair on your own. Do some research in advance to make sure that you repair it correctly and don’t make the damage worse.
When should you hire a professional contractor?
You should definitely hire a professional roofing contractor if you need to replace your whole roof. There are a lot of technicalities involved that you can’t handle on your own. There is too much at stake for you to attempt a replacement on your own.
Besides the complete roof do-over, there are other cases when you should turn to a professional for help.
- Small replacements on large surfaces where complicated elements are involved.
- Too many leaks that have already made their way to the inside of the house and you can’t track down all of them.
- Damaged shingles that are scattered all over your roof.
- Your roof has multiple layers and you can’t tell which layer has the problem.
- You are going to put your house up for sale and you need to make sure the roof is in good condition.
DIY roof replacements are cheaper than professional ones, but they are less effective and put your home under risk of more issues. To summarize, don’t do a complete replacement on your own – it’s not safe for you or for your family. If the problem is small and you know exactly what caused it, then do the repair while following safety measures.
And if you’re looking for a licensed roofing company in Los Angeles, contact us today! We have trained roofing technicians who are experts at installing tile, shingle, or flat roofing systems in LA County.
