This question is among the most common heard by roofers all over the world. It’s a big question with an answer as wide and varied as the people asking it. That’s because roofing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Every roof, every structure is different – if not in appearance and design than in age and upkeep. Every market is different – if not in materials than in labor costs. A new architectural shingle roof may cost $12,000 in California and only $5,000 in Louisiana. So, supplying a blanket answer would be a disservice to anyone reading. However, there are a few factors that apply no matter where you live – roof size, roof pitch, cost of materials, and accessibility to jobsite.
Roof Size: Roofers look at roofing in terms of squares. A square is a 10’x10’ section of your rooftop equal to 100 square feet. Your roof is broken into squares for pricing, so the larger the roof, the more squares factor into cost. The complexity of the roof also comes into play when determining size. The more skylights, chimneys, HVAC equipment, and other structural components on the roof will have to be worked around – increasing the time needed to complete the job.
Roof Pitch: Your roof’s pitch, also known as the slope, plays a role in pricing your project because it can make even simple tasks much more difficult. This is especially true for any roofing with higher than a 7:12 ratio – meaning it rises 7 inches for every 12 inches it spans. This kind of slope makes it necessary to wear safety equipment at all times and store materials on the ground or on scaffolding. Even minor positional changes require much greater effort to complete, so the costs are affected by the additional workload.
Material Cost: This plays the largest role in pricing any roofing project due to the wide range of prices for different materials. Asphalt shingles are inexpensive when compared to slate, but still represent a significant expenditure. In short, the type of roofing you choose directly impacts the end price you’ll pay – more so than any other factor. It’s important to note that the higher cost materials do offer extended lifetimes when compared to the cheaper alternatives.
Accessibility to Jobsite: Being able to easily access the property where the project is taking place makes a huge difference in the price you’ll pay for a very simple reason – having everything where it’s needed cuts out all the unnecessary hauling and interruptions. It saves time and that saves money. Ask any roofer if getting a truck onsite is important. Every one of them will say it’s at least helpful and could reduce costs considerably.
The Unknown: It’s always a good idea to keep the unknown in mind when thinking about a roofing project. Without a thorough inspection before you make a decision, you could be signing up for a service that quickly becomes something much more serious – and expensive. Water damage is the most common unknown encountered after a roof project is begun and can dramatically affect the project – turning the minor into the major.
Professional roofing organizations across the US will tell you that any price less than $2.50 a square foot installed is not practical and probably means you’re dealing with a trunk-slammer with no liability insurance or worker’s compensation policies. That’s not someone you want to work with. Your best bet is making the call to Chicago Roofing Solutions today to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff. They’ll provide the answers you need and a price you can believe in. Your satisfaction is guaranteed with us, so make the call to (312) 588-6969 and work with the very best.
If you’re in Chicago or the surrounding communities, and have roofing needs of any kind, from emergency roof leaks to new roof installations, there’s only one name you need to know – Chicago Roofing Solutions. Our 20+ years of experience and 100% satisfaction guarantee make us the company to trust for all of your residential, commercial, governmental, and institutional roofing projects. Call (312) 588-6969, use our contact form, or send an email to learn more about our products and services.
