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Roofing Shingles Price - Are You Being Ripped Off?
Do you know how much a new roof should cost, or what is the current roofing shingles price? Well, the old poker aphorism rings true - when you look around the table and can't spot the sucker, it's you! And there are many people who get fooled by unscrupulous contractors, so read this article carefully and avoid becoming one of them.
To ensure you are not taken advantage of, you must learn about many things including roofing shingles price. There are two things that determine the cost of roofing - materials and labor.
Roofing products are easily comparable, and if residential contractors use the same products, you can find out how one person's quotations match against another one, even though they may practice in a different part of the country. A GAF roofing system is a great pick for cost with power efficiency.
One thing you must understand is that manufacturers like IKO want you to use more than just their dimensional shingles. In fact, they tie up that fact with their materials guarantee, so when you don't get all the components from them, you may not be eligible for their warranty. GAF roofing systems require you to order 3 components with great ratings.
It's also up to you to insist on comparison of specific brands of related products. For instance, ice and water shields must be installed in each depression or valley in the roof, as well as along the lower edge of the roof to protect yourself against ice dams and leaking of melting ice. Other material that may be necessary includes drip edge, vent pipe flanges and step flashing.
Typically the cost of roofing materials is between $140 and $170 per 100 square feet. This of course may vary from region to region and by nature of the material you purchase, but is usually not far beyond these limits.
When it comes to labor costs, these vary widely. Roofing is unglamorous and physical work, dirty and hard. It can even be dangerous under certain conditions. Throw in the intrinsic variability in workman compensation rates and you'll soon realize that nothing is 'standard' and that roofing costs can fluctuate widely.
Factors that determine how much labor will cost include things like the pitch of your roof (steep roofs are more expensive, while gentle slopes and flat roofs are cheaper). Single story homes cost less while 3 story blocks can be more expensive. If your home has many dips and valleys, they will be the most labor intensive to roof - and therefore will cost more.
Having to remove older layers of shingles will increase your cost, and experienced workers who know what they're doing will typically charge higher rates. Finally, and paradoxically, small roofs cost more than larger ones. The work will likely get done quickly, but you'll have to pay your workers full rates.
The other variable is the roofing shingles price. This depends on the type of shingles you use, and the number you buy - which in turn will be a function of the size of your building and the number of shingles you end up wasting or breaking. No vendor will warranty you against accidental damage during installation, which is why experienced roofers will save you money.
Roofing labor costs will be around $150 per 100 square feet, which takes your total price to around $270 per 100 square feet. But don't mix up cost with price. Price is what you pay once - and if the job is done well, your cost goes down over time, as you won't need to repair or replace the roof as often.
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