Roof and Siding Replacement Cost
Your roof and siding are the key to a welcoming first impression and your first line of defense against the elements. Few things play as great a role in the appearance and comfort of a home.
If you’re a homeowner in need of a roofing or siding replacement, you may feel uneasy about how much it will cost you. It’s true that projects of this size tend to be good investments. But the good news is you can generally avoid cost overruns, ensure you’re working with a transparent contractor, and secure financing to cushion the impact on your household budget.
The following information will help you do all those things.
Let’s look at the new roof and siding costs you might expect for a typical replacement project.
And, at the end of this article, we’ll also tell you the single greatest cost that people tend to ignore.
I. Cost to Replace Roof
One of the biggest factors influencing the cost of a roofing job is whether to do an overlay (re-shingle over your existing roof) or replace the roof. Replacing a roof costs roughly twice the amount to overlay, while re-shingling a roof that actually needs to be replaced can be ruinous (We’ll explain why in a moment).
Given the right circumstances, either an overlay or a reroof can be sensible, but your contractor should be able to provide a clear rationale for their recommendation.
There are two types of mistakes that are very dangerous with overlays. First, it’s best practice to only add one layer of roofing shingles over the original one. Also, you can only add shingles over 3-tab (flat) shingles, never architectural shingles.
Here’s why:
- First, a layer of shingles placed over architectural, or dimensional shingles isn’t likely to last long. It’s like duct taping a bumper back on a car.
- Second, an improper overlay will harm the structural integrity of the entire roof.
- Finally, if there’s any underlying damage, mold or rot, it will go unnoticed and become far worse.
At the time of this article, here are the average costs for each type of roofing job we do at B&B Siding and Roofing:
- Overlay: $6,000 to $8,500*
- New roof: $13,000 – $25,000*
*(These costs include construction debris removal fees in addition to materials and labor.)
Learn more about B&B’s roofing services in New Jersey.
II. Cost to Replace Siding
The cost of siding renovations can be more varied because of the availability of upgrades, which improve the appearance and comfort of your home.
People tend to think of siding as a superficial thing, but siding renovations can also be an opportunity to enhance the underlying insulation, making your home more comfortable and energy efficient.
Let’s look at the costs of replacing/upgrading both the insulation and the siding itself:
- Insulation. The costs of our insulation upgrades range from about $775 for a basic upgrade to around $2,250 at the high end. A high-end upgrade includes 1-inch polystyrene insulation, which is more robust. If you’re home is drafty, the added personal comfort and energy efficiency is well worth the cost.
- Siding. The second type of siding upgrades people often opt for are to the siding itself. These can range from about $1,900 for a basic upgrade, to $5,500 for the most robust, fully insulated siding.
At the time of this article, the average overall cost of a siding and shake renovation project with B&B Siding and Roofing is in the $18,000 – $32,000 range. (This reflects the total cost after the upgrades we described.)
Learn more about B&B’s siding replacement services in New Jersey.
III. Financing & Timing of Payments
Sometimes the sticking point isn’t how much you pay, it’s when you pay. This is especially unfortunate because with roof and siding repairs in particular, waiting too long will often compound the damage. The resulting exposure can contribute to mold, decay, pests, and even drive up your energy bills.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Here’s why:
- Financing for renovation projects is simple and accessible. Even if you don’t have a lot of equity in your home, you might be pleasantly surprised at how accessible low- or zero interest home improvement financing is. Financing can allow you to move forward with a necessary work that might otherwise have been unaffordable.
- Consumer protection laws limit down payments. Many homeowners might be concerned about the size of down payment they might need just to get started. This is understandable.
One thing that differentiates B&B Siding and Roofing is that we don’t require any down payment when ordering stock materials. (We do, however, ask for a deposit on special order products or windows.)
As we’ve written before, any contingencies that might result in cost overruns or delays should be clearly stated in your estimate. As far as we’re concerned, that’s just the right way to do business, regardless of the law.
The single greatest cost of roofing & siding jobs
When it comes to any home renovation, you want to make the right choice and get a square deal. That’s why we would never discourage someone from getting a second, third, or even fourth estimate on a roofing or siding job.
Just make sure you treat upgrades and repairs to your home’s envelope as a priority.
When it comes to many roofing and siding projects, the biggest cost you’ll ever encounter is the cost of procrastination. Every homeowner should have a clear-eyed understanding of which renovations can be delayed, and which can’t. With roof and siding repairs in particular, waiting too long will often compound the damage. The resulting exposure can contribute to mold, decay, pests, and even drive up your energy bills.
The greatest cost of a roofing or siding job can be procrastination. See what happened to this homeowner who waited too long.
Even for non-urgent upgrades, delaying a home improvement project tends to result in increased costs, because in the long run, the cost of both labor and raw materials trend upward.
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B&B Siding and Roofing is a local and family-owned company that specializes in exterior home renovations including roofing, siding, and windows. In business since 1993, we’ve exceeded the expectations of over 5,000 homeowners, while earning hundreds of 5-star reviews and developing an excellent reputation in the community. We serve many areas of New Jersey including Monmouth County, Middlesex County, Mercer County, and Union County.
