Professional Roofing in Kelowna vs. DIY Roof Replacement.

If you’ve talked to other homeowners about roof replacement, you might have noticed that they are divided into two camps: those who hire a professional roofing company and those who do it themselves. 

But when it comes to your roof, how can you be sure you’re making the right choice?

In order to help you make a more informed decision, Kelowna Roofing company has created a handy guide here. 

Do-It-Yourself Roofing

DIY has been popular lately, thanks to a wealth of information and videos on the internet. There are even ample resources on how to reroof a house.

While this can empower the average person to learn new skills in a pinch, there are some things to consider before taking on a massive project like replacing a roof.

Pros

Pride of Workmanship

First and foremost, there’s a lot of pride connected to working on your home. There’s a certain satisfaction in knowing you’ve spent time improving what might be the most significant investment in your life. 

Money Saved 

Depending upon what kind of roof you have and the shingles and other roofing materials that you buy, you could potentially save a lot of money. You’ll be able to source your own supplies and not be reliant on contractors.  

The Joy of Demolition

If you love to do demos, ripping off your roof can be a fun experience. Plus, it’s a great workout being up there while doing hard labor for days at a time. 

Your Roof, Your Schedule

Finally, since it’s your roof and your manpower, that means it can happen on your schedule. This is a big draw for homeowners who want a new roof in the warmer, busier months of the year, and don’t want to wait for a company to do the work. 

Cons

Tricky Roof Types

Depending upon what kind of roof you have, it may be challenging to work and walk on. Factors such as height, slope, pitch, and the number of peaks and gables can complicate the process. If you’ve got a chimney, be sure to budget extra time and effort to handle the necessary flashing. 

Insurance

Here’s an important question to consider before beginning work on your roof. Have you checked with your insurance company first? Many will only allow you to use a licensed contractor to replace your roof and will void your insurance if you don’t. 

Injuries

Working on a roof is a dangerous task even for the most seasoned professional. There are real safety concerns when working at heights, so weigh the risk carefully before climbing up on your roof. Can you afford to be injured, especially if it requires you to take time off from work? 

Weather Woes

Before you begin work, consider the weather in that season. Summer months might be more ideal because of warmer weather, but keep in mind that a roof can heat up quickly during those times, making your job harder. Autumn, spring, and winter can provide their own set of challenges with thunderstorms, wind, snow, and hail–so be sure to time your roof replacement carefully. 

Professional Roofing

Not confident in your DIY skills? Or maybe you just want peace of mind knowing that someone else is taking care of all of the planning and work. If you’re considering hiring a pro, here are some points to consider. 

Pros

Experience

When you hire a professional roofing company, you can feel confident you’ll benefit from the wealth of knowledge due to many years in the business. While you may not know the first thing about local building codes and how to get a permit, they do. 

Shingle Savvy

While the average person may not know the difference between asphalt shingles vs. wood, slate, ceramic, and tile shingles, your pros will be able to advise you on quality roofing that is the best fit for your particular house. 

Manpower

Your home improvement crew may consist of just yourself, and/or a few family members and buddies if you are lucky. But going with a professional roofer means that you will have a team of skilled workers on the job. 

Troubleshooting

There’s a big chance that there might be more going on up there on your roof than you realize. Professionals can identify and fix potentially costly problem areas. They can check on flashing, vents, gutters, and other common areas of concern, and even find leaks in your roof.

Warranty and Insurance

Some companies like Pitch Masters Roofing provide a 10-year workmanship warranty. That’s a 100% guarantee to stand by their work. Having Liability Insurance and being in good standing with Work Safe BC is another bonus. 

Cons

Stock and Supplies

If you DIY, the sky is the limit, since you can choose from a wide range of sources. Roofers tend to work with suppliers that they know and trust, which could narrow your options if you have something particular in mind that they don’t carry. 

Availability

Good roofing professionals are in high demand, so it may be challenging to find a company on very short notice. While many companies can install a new roof in as little as three days from start to finish, you’ll need to book in advance. 

Extra Costs

If you’ve got a complicated and lengthy roof replacement, the company you hire may need to charge you for extras like portable toilet rentals, scaffolding, multiple dumpster rentals, etc. Wear and tear on your driveway and lawn may occur due to construction vehicle traffic. 

Ready to Make a Decision About Roofing in Kelowna?

After reading this guide hopefully, you’ve got a few things to think about before choosing DIY or a professional company. If you’ve decided to hire someone to do your roofing in Kelowna, contact us for a free estimate. It’s easy to start the process of getting a better roof today.