With the tropical cyclones that threaten Pennsylvania’s southeast region during summer and fall, investing in new roofing in Lancaster, PA, that can endure the rough weather can be quite expensive. With many new roofing projects in the area resulting from damage sustained during severe storms, it helps to be aware of the factors that can affect roofing costs so you can prepare yourself to meet these costs and find solutions to mitigate their impact.
Roof Type
The type of roof your home is outfitted with typically has the greatest effect on costs. According to Angie’s List contributor Elizabeth Dunn:
… Roofs can be flat or sloped, high or low pitch and metal or shingled. Material costs vary greatly between roof types, and some require more labor and materials than others.
The least expensive shingles are made of asphalt, and they run about $120 per 100 square feet, while slate shingles can cost between $800 and $1,000 per 100 square feet, and tile shingles can cost between $300 and $500 per 100 square feet. If you have a metal roof, you can expect materials to cost as much as $1,500 per 100 square feet.
Roof Area
Roofers typically charge for their work using a unit called a square. A square is a ten-foot-by-ten foot-area of roof, and there are typically between 22 and 26 squares on an average roof. The more squares your roof has, the higher the cost of a new roof.
It also helps to remember that roofers will charge by the square for both removal and installation, so the cost of new roofing tends to compound with greater roof area. Higher, steeper roofs are also charged extra per square for both removal and installation.
Water Damage
Since extreme weather damage is a relatively common reason for new roofing projects in Lancaster, many will have sustained some sort of water damage in the process. If water damage is found, this has to be repaired before the new roof can be installed. This can inflate costs significantly.
Chimneys, Skylights, and Irregular Roofs
Chimneys, skylights, and other features that protrude from a roof can further add to the cost of a new roof because the contractor will need to work around these and maybe even fix the flashing around them. Similarly, irregular roofs, such as round installations and designs with highly unusual angles, can increase the overall costs.
With these factors in mind, you should be better able to prepare for any future need to replace your roof. Working with a reputable Lancaster roofing company like Eagle Building Solutions can also help you shield yourself from other unexpected costs that could result from an improperly installed roof.
(Source: 5 factors that influence the cost of a roof repair, Angie’s List, July 15, 2014)
