Self-Repair or Hire a Pro? How to Decide What's Best for Your Roof Replacement

Do you enjoy doing DIY projects? There is a certain satisfaction when fixing your home by yourself, and it can also save you money. However, it should be better to think twice before engaging in DIY when it comes to your roofing project unless you are a professional roofer. You might don't have the proper equipment and tools or even enough technique you need for the job to install it properly. It might end up making expensive mistakes or severe problems with your roofing system.

The rate of damages, injuries, and accidents from DIY roofing projects is higher. Professional roofers have adequate training, experience, and equipment to make the task look easy, but it is not. And if you take your roofing project DIY, it may not meet your expectations from your home, especially if you want to add a smoke vent.

There are various reasons you need to hire a professional roofer rather than starting a DIY roof repair project.

Professionals Have Experience and Knowledge

Professional roofers are well trained and understand roofing systems and how to install their components properly. They consider both the standards of the local building codes and the manufacturer's standards. And most of the local regulations on roofing installation require the roofer to be certified by the local roof association, province, or state before doing the roofing work. At the same time, some of the professional roofers will get a certification from the manufacturers and provide them with additional experience and skills. They can easily incorporate different galvanized roof hatches that give a more aesthetic look to your roofing.

These skills from professional roofers will protect your property from outside elements and weather in a way that you might not even realize. For instance, they can spot roofing issues that you may not have known to fix.

Homeowners can learn how to repair their roofs. However, you probably do not have enough time to learn everything to do the repair job. Even if you are only placing a piece of shingle, you need to know what you're doing. Here are some things to consider:

Insurance and Liability

Home insurance might not cover any damage you did to your roof by repairing it without proper knowledge, by walking on it, or any intentional damage to your roofing. Instead, they might deny your claim and argue that it is negligent by trying to fix your roof by yourself. If it happens, then you will shoulder all the repairs expenses on your own.

Professional roofers are less likely to make mistakes. If accidentally they do, they usually have insurance that will cover all the damage the roofers may have caused to your roof. And reputable roofers typically come back to fix any lapses and mistakes they made without any further charges for their additional cost. Choosing professional roofers to do the job will protect your roof by their insurance and save you from expenses and hassle dealing with denied claims.

Limited Warranties

When you choose to hire a professional roofer, you might be covered by two different types of limited warranties—one from the roofing manufacturer for defective products and one from the roofer. Unfortunately, if you attempt to have a DIY repair, you will not be covered by the roofer's limited warranty and will mostly void your limited warranty from the manufacturer.

Roofing manufacturers require their products to be carefully handled and correctly installed according to their instructions. And applicable to building regulation code requirements to be eligible for limited warranty coverage. Licensed and professional roofers are in the best position to comply with all of these requirements.

Tools and Costs

You might consider DIY roofing because it can save you some money. Nevertheless, DIY roofing projects are unlikely to save money from your budget, and they might end up costing more money compared to hiring a professional. In addition, a small mistake you can have in your roofing from DIY may cost you more down the road in additional damages.

Even if your DIY goes well when you do the roofing repair, some homeowners can perfectly or accurately estimate their roofing job. Still, most of the time will end up buying different or wrong materials or quantities of materials.

Professional roofers have or use tools that are expensive to rent or buy. For instance, you can rent a nail gun for a hundred dollars per day. You might also rent a safety harness, safety helmet, and extension ladder. And require training for working at heights before doing your DIY roofing repair or going up to the roof. If you try to save some money by not renting or having appropriate tools, equipment, and correct PPE and do your DIY, you put yourself at a greater risk.

Time

If you DIY, you may underestimate how long your roofing repair would take. Any roofing repair delay can cause more severe issues to your roofing. A professional or licensed roofer can complete the job much easier and faster than you would do. In addition, it can benefit you by preventing exposing your roofing structure to outside elements or weather.

Safety Hazards

Roofing is a dangerous job. The significant risk that you would expect is falling off the roof or falling from a ladder. You may be more prone to be hurt while on the roof or ladder than a professional roofer. And you may lack training in working at heights or using the ladders on the three-point contact rule, and you might also not have appropriate PPE if you do DIY repair in your roofing.

Overall, hiring a licensed or professional roofer is much better than attempting DIY roof repair jobs, as it can void the warranty or insurance claims and cost more than hiring a professional roofer. You can read ways to extend the life of your roof to get some tips on how to maintain your roofing to avoid costly repairs.