Serving Kern County for over 40 years
DIY Roofing: Dangers of Replacing Your Own Roof | Wilson Brothers Roofing
DIY Roofing: Can a Homeowner Replace Their Own Roof?
Your roof is one of your home’s most important features, keeping you and your family safe and comfortable. So when you spot some shingles missing or a wet spot on your ceiling—among many other signs of roof damage and repair needs—you may wonder if it’s time to replace your roof.
This question is not a new one. However, in today’s world, there are so many DIY TV shows, not to mention YouTube repair videos, that it seems like the question of “Should I replace my roof?” has become “Can I replace my own roof?”
On this page, we’ll cover DIY roofing and other tips you should know when considering DIY roof replacement or repair.
The Risks of DIY Roofing
Safety is one of the biggest concerns with DIY roofing projects, beginning with the fact that it is extremely dangerous to be on a roof, let alone working on a roof repair or replacement.
Accidents can always happen, even to the most experienced roofer. A wind gust could blow up while you are holding a long piece of roof decking, knocking you to the ground. Improper ladder placement could lead to a serious fall and injuries. Depending on the slope of the roof, additional harnesses may be necessary to avoid slips. And these are just a few examples of the risks of working on roofs, whether you are a professional or just considering a DIY roof replacement.
Professional roofers have all of the required safety equipment and materials to help prevent accidents. With our experience, Wilson Brothers Roofing’s professional roofers know how to work on every type of sloped roof, and the safety implications that come with those slopes.
Working on a roof is very dangerous. The costs of hiring a roofing company far outweigh the risks of DIY roofing repair or replacement.
Warranties
A warranty establishes the promise that if your roof needs to be repaired or replaced, it can be done at no cost to you for a specific period of time.
There are two main types of warranties for roofing and roofing materials:
- Roofing contractor warranty
- Manufacture warranty
Let’s look at both of these warranty types to fully understand the liabilities of a DIY roofing project.
Roofing Contractor Warranty
A roofing contractor will typically have a warranty for a certain number of years. Any mistakes that your roofing contractor may make will be covered under this warranty. Wilson Brothers Roofing has labor warranties for 10 years.
When contemplating DIY roof vs. contractor, note that you will not have a contractor warranty if you perform DIY roofing work. This means that you will need to cover any repairs or replacement costs if they are necessary.
Manufacturer Warranty
A manufacturer warranty covers the roofing material itself. If your roofing material fails for some reason, that would be covered by the manufacturer warranty. Additionally, if there is a material defect, it may impact your roof to some degree, but may not necessitate a total roof replacement.
If a defect is caused because of incorrect installation, then the manufacturer warranty will not apply. This means that the warranty will be invalid and you will get no coverage if installment was done incorrectly.
It’s important to note that manufacturing warranties often offer little protection. Contractor warranties are much more secure because it is rare for the roofing materials themselves to have defects. Most issues are from inclement weather or poor installation. If the installation was done incorrectly or not built to withstand extreme weather, a contractor warranty provides much better protection.
Review both types of warranties before making a purchase. If you rely on a manufacturer warranty, know that your warranty may be voided if you do the installation yourself or do not keep up with maintenance.
For contractor warranties, be sure you know the time constraints on your warranty as well as what the protection does and does not cover. If you have any questions about installation warranties, you can ask us by filling out our online contact form.
Installation Materials
To know how to replace a roof yourself, you will need to start with the proper tools. Just as you wouldn’t try to hammer in a screw, you cannot install DIY roof shingles without the necessary equipment.
Roofing equipment includes:
- Tear-off form, particularly for asphalt shingles
- Roofing nails
- Measuring tape
- Roof cutters
- Dumpster(s)
- Roofing nailer
- Roof bracket
- Lifeline rope(s)
- Harness(es)
- Knee pads
- Shoe spikes, if necessary
These are just some of the basic equipment needed to do the actual job. It’s important to note that roofing is not just about installing shingles. If you do a DIY roof repair or replacement, you are most likely going to be working on replacing roof decking and underlayment.
Additionally, you need to consider other roofing materials and accessories you might need, such as:
- Flashing
- Vents
- Boots
- Roof coating
- The roofing material itself
- Attic fans
- Sun tunnels and skylights
- Other roofing accessories you may want to install
A DIY roofing repair or replacement project is not just a one-material job. Your roof has layers that all need to be attended to when performing a roof repair.
Time
The amount of time it takes to install a new roof depends on the size of your roof and the experience you have with roofing. Of course, the goal is to get the roof repair done as quickly as possible. However, speed does not equate to efficiency. To get a roof repair done in a short amount of time without compromising on the quality of the project requires a professional roofer.
If you want to do the roof repair or replacement yourself, know that it will—and should—take longer than if a professional was doing the job. Efficiency comes with experience and knowledge of the complexities of roofing.
Roofing Experience
Although DIY videos on YouTube help with many daily tasks, roofing should not be one of them. Installing a roof takes training and skill. Roofs are an extremely dangerous setting, which is why knowing how to move around a roof and identify what work needs to be done takes skills that come with years of experience.
Installing a roof correctly means knowing exactly what needs to happen at every single layer of a roof. If done incorrectly, the ramifications can lead to the need for a total roof replacement.
Wilson Brothers Roofing has over 40 years of experience providing residential and commercial roofings services. With our professional experience, we can get your roof done right the first time!
Cost of DIY Roof Replacement or Repair
We understand the impact that finances have on decisions regarding roof repair or replacement. Sometimes the installment costs from a contractor can be overwhelming. However, hiring professionals is always the most recommended course of action. Below are cost factors to consider when weighing your options about replacing your own roof.
Material Costs
Material costs are a big determinant of DIY roof replacement. You will want a good material that protects your home and assets. Things that will impact your material costs include:
- Roofing material
- Roof size
- Roof slope
- Extra roofing material costs, such as flashing, vents, decking, etc.
Roofing material is not just a slab of shingles. There are many materials to add to the shopping list when installing a roof. It’s important to take all material costs into account when budgeting your project.
Cost of Time
Replacing or repairing a roof is no small feat. Performing a DIY roofing project can take quite a while due to lack of experience and safety issues. Hiring a professional roofer may cost you financially, yet save you time and money in the long run.
Warranties
As previously mentioned, warranties are a huge factor in considering a DIY roofing project. While replacing your own roof may seem like a lower cost at the moment, the repair costs down the line may be exponentially higher since you will not have installment warranties.
Additionally, if you do experience the need for repair and replacement and then decide to go with a professional roofing contractor, then you will have to pay them just the same.
Permit Fees
You will need to pay the permit cost for your roof. When you redo your roof, you do need to have a permit.
Financing
In reality, roofs should last for a long time, with life expectancy depending on the roofing material. When a roof is cared for properly, the upfront costs are an investment into the future of your roof and home.
Financing options are available for roofing needs. Wilson Brothers Roofing refers clients to our local credit union who can provide affordable options to invest in a new roof. Investing in good roof material and installation can make all the difference down the road, whether that be one month or 20 years.
Talk to the roofing professionals here at Wilson Brothers Roofing about budget and financing options to find which of our products is most suitable for you.
DIY Roofing Advice
The best advice we can give about DIY roofing is that it’s best to go with a professional roofing company, such as Wilson Brothers Roofing due to the dangers that come with roofing. The process of repair and installation have major safety concerns that, for an inexperienced roofer, can cause major damage to your house and wellbeing.
We recognize that because your house is your property, you are allowed to perform your own roof repair and replacement. We hope that this article has helped broaden your awareness about the concerns and details that come with repairing and replacing your own roof.
DIY Roof Repair FAQs
Do I Need a Permit to Replace My Roof Myself?
According to Kern County Public Works, you do need a permit to re-roof. If a roof is reinstalled without a permit, you may be fined and have to pay fees. Your property will also be rejected for any future permits until you are granted this permit. The process of obtaining a permit can be lengthy. If you plan on performing DIY roofing, talk to a city official at the Public Service Building about Kern County code compliance.
Can You Replace Part of a Roof?
There is a big difference between roof repair and replacement. If there is only a small section of your roof damaged, you may not have to do an entire replacement. However, if you have rotting underlayment or other structural issues, it’s best to contact a professional at Wilson Brothers Roofing for a roof inspection.
Talk to Roofing Professionals Today
Here at Wilson Brothers Roofing, we pride ourselves on customer satisfaction. We are a roofing company with a small business mentality and large business capabilities. Working in the local Kern County area for over 40 years, we provide commercial and residential roofing services to our customers.
If you have any questions about installing or repairing a roof, talk to us! You can call us at (661) 589-4297 or fill out an online contact form today.