Is It Better To Repair Or Replace My Flat Roof
However, there are a few instances where you might be able to patch, including:
- Felt has come away from the wall
- Small rips have been caused by falling roof tiles or third-party damage
- Water is leaking under the roof where the felt meets the guttering
In these cases, you might be able to get away with a small fix. This is normally an easy DIY job, and you can repair your flat roof for less than £50 if there are only a small few tears or cracks.
Most roofs are covered in felting has got bitumen on the rear side. When a blowtorch is used, the bitumen melts slightly and becomes attached to the wooden roof structure. Unfortunately, until felting is torn off, theres no easy way to establish if the wooden struts and beams need replacing too, so you must consider the extra cost of this when you budget repair and replacement costs.
Roofing Labor Cost Per Square
With a few different variables at play, roofing labor is generally between $1.50 and $3.00 per square foot. If your roofing professional is using Per Square in the bid , their prices for labor will reflect this multiplied out by 100 to show between $150 and $300 per square. According to the United States Census, the average roof is 17 squares or about 1,700 square feet.
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Flat Roof
Flat roofs have increased in popularity over recent years for many reasons. Their modern appeal complements a broad range of home designs, and according to Energy Star, they even have better energy efficiency than traditional pitched roofs. However, they also have their downsides. Low-grade slopes may slow drainage, which can lead to ice dams and pools of water. They also will not work on every type of home.
In most cases, youll know whether you need a flat roof or not. You can also schedule a consultation with an expert to get their opinion.
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Roll Asphalt Flat Roof
Roll asphalt flat roofing is made up of layers of asphalt coated fibreglass, tar, felt, and water-resistant materials, all of which are kept in place with nails or asphalt cement. The top layer is covered with gravel, which protects the roof from ultraviolet rays. This type of flat roof has been in existence for over a century and is generally the cheapest. However, it doesnt usually last longer than ten years.
Benefits Of A Flat Roof
There are many benefits for installing a new or replacing an old flat roof. There are good reasons for why they are one of the most popular systems in the UK.
- Cost Effectiveness typically a flat roof takes less time to install and require less materials than a pitched roof. As a result this will mean it costs less to install or replace. Of course this depends entirely on the area size, materials uses, application techniques, commercial vs domestic, and various other factors.
- Flexibility easy to install on most roof types and sizes helping to cope with the natural contraction and expansion of building movements.
- Durability with the right material / system chosen you can expect to find a flat roof to be very durable, long lasting and offer protection against harmful UV rays.
- Little Maintenance similarly to the above point, depending on the system, you can expect hardly any maintenance once post flat roof installation. Please note that this depends on the quality of whoever installed the flat roof. Later in this article well show you how to choose a reputable flat roofer to avoid the potential cost associated risk of losing money hiring a poor contractor to construct your flat roof.
- Additional Living Space you can even use a flat roof to add an additional space to your home or commercial building . For example, eco friendly green roofs give ultimate versatility by allowing the owner to have a rooftop patio, garden and pathways with real-life vegetation.
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Why Will Flat Roofs Leak
Sometimes improving drainage systems to get water off the roof faster, will solve the problem. Standing water on top of a roof is a major problem. The longer water is on your roof, the more likely it is to find somewhere to leak into your property.
What are the most common repairs for a flat roof. How much does the average repair to a flat roof cost?
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Cost To Reroof A House
The total cost to reroof a house with new shingles is between $4,707 to $15,690 which includes old roof removal, new roofing materials, and professional installation. The cost of materials alone range from $3,240 to $10,800 depending on the size of your roof.
To remove the old shingles, expect to spend between $1,467 and $4,890 or from $125 and $500 per roofing square. Costs are adjusted based on the difficulty of removing and disposing of the existing type of roofing material. If your roofing professional discovers structural issues in the rafters after removing your old roof, you could have to pay an additional $1,000 to $10,000.
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Modified Bitumen Flat Roof
A modified bitumen roof is made up of sheets that are composed of multiple layers, including bitumen or tar. They are generally heated with a blow torch when rolled out onto the roof, adhering them in one step. You will have more seams with this style of roof. However, they are fairly easy to install and durable once finished. They only last 10 to 15 years, so they are less common. This flat roofing material is known for its light hue that reflects heat. They cost between $4 and $8 per sq.ft.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Flat Roof
If your roof is beyond repair, your contractor will recommend that you have a new flat roof installed. There are three factors that roofing contractors will use to determine the cost of a roof:
When contractors are quoting you a price, they calculate how many hours they expect the job to take and multiply that number by the amount they pay their employees per hour. Labor cost is included in your estimate.
To replace your flat roof, the old roof will have to be removed. That incurs a cost between $1,600 and $5,500. Once the underlayment, drip edge, and other materials are installed, the finish can be applied. There are four main finish options:
- Thermoplastic olefin
Bitumen, the cheapest flat roof material, costs between $5 and $7 per square foot to install, while black EDPM, the most expensive material, runs between $6 and $14 per square foot. PVC and TPO are in the middle of this range. If you have a 2,000-square-foot roof, expect to pay between $10,000 and $28,000 on materials.
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How Much Does A Flat Roof Replacement Cost
If its time to replace your flat roof, your biggest concern is probably how much it will cost you. Unfortunately, its hard to find anything cost-related because the roofing industry doesnt like to talk about it.
We understand how frustrating that is to homeowners like you. After all, how can you be comfortable spending your hard-earned money on a flat roof replacement without an idea of the price?
Here at Bill Ragan Roofing, we want to take those frustrations off your shoulders. Thats why well be giving you an idea of the budget youll need for a flat roof replacement.
But before we get to the cost, you need to know which type of material is right for your flat roof replacement.
Garage Roof Replacement Cost
Garage roof replacement costs $1,000 to $2,500 on average, depending on the size, pitch, and materials. Installing a new roof on a 280 square foot 1-car garage costs $1,000 to $2,000, and a 400 square foot 2-car garage runs $1,500 to $3,200, depending if it’s asphalt or metal.
Garage Roof Replacement Cost
The garage sizes used for the table above are:
- 1 car – 12 by 12
- 2 car 20 by 20
- 3 car 36 by 24
The prices you see locally will be more or less depending on where you live, time of year, and the pitch of the roof. These prices would be the same if you were looking for the cost of a new roof for a detached house or workshop of a similar size.
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Flat Roof Repair Cost
Rather than give you an arbitrary figure for an average flat roof repair cost , we feel it would be better to give you a checklist you can follow to prepare yourself for contacting a roofing company.
A flat roof will need to be repaired if you experience water leaks, internal damage, wooden timbers rotting, water pools, etc.
In general, if a flat roof is left too long with one of the above problems it will lead to the repair cost being substantially higher. For example, if you left a flat roof water leak for 1 year it can impact the structural soundness of a building due to water rotting the wooden timbers beneath.
Heres a DIY flat roof inspection checklist for you to follow to determine whether you need flat roof repair or replacement:
If you can see you have any of these problems then it might be time to call a qualified flat roofer to inspect further. Depending on the scale of the problem the flat roof repair cost can range from £150 all the way up to several £1000.
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Here Are Some Other Issues With Flat Roof Replacements:
- Why do all flat roofs leak? Are there any roofing materials that create a permanent seal?
- Why should I spend a lot of money on flat roof repairs or replacements only to repeat the project in a few years?
- Can I afford the secondary cost of a roof replacement job, including the interruption of business and the disposal of old roofing materials?
- Are there any new roof materials that will help me lower my energy costs?
If you have these concerns, we have the perfect solution for you.
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Can I Replace Or Repair A Flat Roof Myself
Some flat roof repairs can be done on a DIY basis there are various waterproofing and sealant materials which are effective in tackling temporary repairs, giving you time to gather quotes and save up for long-term professional repairs. You can even buy paint on waterproofer which is emergency roof repair in a tin that costs around £10 per litre. You can also purchase roof repair kits which include resin, catalyst, roof material, tape and topcoat. There are many kits available for each type of roof, although the average price is around £45 for small repair kits and up to £300 for leaking roof repair kits.
To complete the job, you may also require a number of tools including:
If damage to the roof is localised to just a small area, a repair may be the best option, rather than replacing the entire roof. However, if you cannot fix the roof material yourself on a DIY basis, it may be more cost-effective to bring in a contractor to replace the roof completely rather than paying them for small and temporary repairs.
In many cases making repairs to a flat roof is a complete waste of money, for example, if the roof timbers underneath are damaged, then a complete replacement is best instead of a repair. In addition, some roofing materials are difficult to patch in small damaged areas without damaging the rest of the roof, thereby making things even worse.
Sheet Metal Roofing Cost
Sheet metal is incredibly durable and is used for a lot of structures. Not only does it last long, but it doesnt rust or corrode, which means it tends to look really nice. Therefore, this is an excellent option for sheds, barns and other outbuildings.
Pros
It is a durable material to work with.
It doesnt rust or corrode.
Cons
It is heavy which could lead to sagging.
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How Much Does A Membrane Flat Roof Replacement Cost
You should budget between around $14.00-$17.00 per square foot for a smaller membrane flat roof replacement and around $12.00 per square foot on slightly larger projects. When you get into larger commercial projects, the cost per square foot drastically decreases.
If youre using insulation thats thick enough to insulate the entire structure, it will cost more than if you’re just using fabric insulation and gluing the membrane to it.
Full Vs Partial Reroof
Finally, the price of the job will also depend on whether you are starting your roof from scratch or just recovering an existing job. Obviously, a complete overhaul of your roof will be your most expensive option.
Typically, this project includes a substantial price increase due to the time and labor needed to remove your existing roof.
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How Long Does It Take To Replace A Flat Roof
Its crucial to know how long it will take to replace a flat roof because you may have to take time from work. Well go through how long it takes to replace a flat roof here.
Roof replacement might take as little as one day or as long as three weeks. The average roofing replacement for a single-family home takes roughly 2-3 days.
Several factors influence the length of time it takes to replace a roof. The kind and condition of the current roof, the new roofing, materials, and the size of the house are all factors to consider.
Flat EPDM roofing utilises fewer materials than sloping EPDM roofing. Installing them takes less time than heavy tiles or wood shakes. Because flat roofs hold more water than pitched roofs, proper drainage is essential.
Its also worth noting that a new flat roof can take up to two days to install. In addition, most roofers require an extra pair of hands in order to finish their work efficiently.
As a result, youll almost probably need to hire two workers to complete the project. A roof replacement will take much longer, with the removal and replacement of a single garage roof requiring an average of 7 to 8 hours.
Flat roofs with distinctive shapes or that require extensive cutting around roof windows or pipelines, as well as flat roofs on the second or third floors that require scaffolding or access towers, will take longer.
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Emergency Flat Roof Repair Cost
If you suddenly spot your roof sagging or have water coming down into the home through a hole or crack in the roof, it is vital to get emergency roof repairs as soon as possible. Many roofing companies charge extra for emergency same-day service or urgent repairs on holidays and weekends. Expect to pay between $100 and $200 more than usual for this repair. Some companies have minimal emergency charges of around $150 to $200. It is best to get emergency roof repair if you feel your roof is in danger of collapsing, your familys safety is at risk, or the roof has a bad leak that could damage the home.
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Additional Tool And Material Costs To Install A Flat Roof
If youre considering DIY flat roof replacement, youll also need to include the costs of additional tools and materials needed for the job in your budget. These costs will depend on what you already have and what you need. Some basic tools youll need include a roofing hammer, roofing nailer, utility knife, roof cleaning equipment, moisture detection tools, and more.
Ensuring The Professional Is The Right Fit
Use the below questions to make sure the professional youre hoping to hire is the right fit for you.
- What experience do you have? Its always useful to know if they are a well-established company or they are just starting. You might find that a newer company is slightly cheaper, or you may prefer to pay more for experience.
- Have you got customer feedback and photographs of any work youve done in the past? The tradesperson may have a portfolio to show you, or they may direct you to their website. Websites often have case studies, photographs, and customer testimonials.
- Are you a member of any trade associations? Trade associations will only grant membership to tradespeople with a good work record. They must also have high standards of workmanship.
- Do you have insurance? Is your public liability insurance up to date? Public liability insurance is vital for all tradespeople as it protects them and you from any injury or damage claims should an accident occur during the installation of your felt roof.
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Tradesmen Costs For A Flat Roof Replacement
Having a tradesperson assist you with your project is always a good idea. For a flat roof replacement to last and be properly installed, it must be done correctly.
Well go over the labour costs for a flat roof replacement here so you know how much youll have to pay for installation.
The cost of installing a new flat roof is split between materials and labour, as previously stated.
As a result, if youre hiring pros, youll need to choose a reliable roofer with necessary experience. They usually charge between £25 and £50 per hour.
Most flat roof replacement contractors will include their fees in the final cost. So, read the quote carefully to ensure youre not being overcharged. Labor costs for a flat roof replacement should be between £200 and £500.
However, depending on the circumstances, the jobs cost and completion time may vary. The type of material chosen, for example, may have an impact on the time it takes to finish the job because some materials are easier to work with than others.
Also important is accessibility. The job will take longer if the employees do not have an easy approach to the roof. A scaffold may be necessary as a result. This not only ensures the safety of the worker, but it also saves time.
The price will be determined by the type of job and the experience of the tradesman.
Check to discover whether they have a roof slating and tiling certificate. However, this is not a legal need for becoming a skilled roofer.
