Once a roof gets old enough and repairs just don't cut it anymore, it's time to invest in a new roof. This can be a heavy investment, especially if it has taken you by surprise. Luckily, there are several ways you can save money on a new roof.
Do Some Work Yourself
Apart from the actual roofing materials, much of the cost of your new roof comes from the installation itself. Your contractor will need to tear up the old roof, install the new one, then dispose of the old materials, among other prep and finishing work. These tasks are often listed individually on your bid or contract. The good news is, while a professional installation is still by far your best bet, there are some things you can do yourself to cut some of that extra cost.
Tearing up an old roof and disposing of the materials are more tedious than difficult, so if you feel up to the task, this is work you can try yourself. If you don't feel comfortable doing so, consider finding a local handyman who may be able to do it for you at a lower cost than you've been quoted by your contractor. Before you start anything, however, talk to your contractor to make sure this won't impact their work or cause any disruptions. If you're disposing of materials yourself, make sure you know how to do so responsibly, as roofing materials will need to go directly to a landfill.
Explore Financing Options
If you feel comfortable about your ability to pay for a roof over time but can't handle the upfront cost, there are a few different ways you can get financing or other payment plans.
Many of these options are viable even if your credit isn't very high, so it's worth exploring your options.
Search for Financial Aid
Depending on your individual situation, you may qualify for a home improvement grant. Grants, unlike loans, don't need to be paid back, which can help immensely even if they don't cover the full cost of your roof replacement. There are a few different departments and organizations offering grants, so it's worth searching for as many as you can. Some of these are circumstantial and based on factors like where you live, so you may not qualify for every grant you see.
Start with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which offers some grants specifically for low-income households. Next, try the National Residential Improvement Association, which can help guide you on what grants you may be eligible for. Finally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers grants primarily in rural areas for improvements to safety and health. If you don't immediately qualify, don't get discouraged; there are many financial resources for homeowners available.
Install a Second Layer
If your roof is asphalt shingle, you can save the cost of removing the old roof by having a second layer of shingle installed on top of the first. This isn't an ideal option if you can avoid it because it comes with risks like reducing the lifespan of your roof and adding additional weight to your house's structure. However, if you aren't able to afford the full cost of replacement, this is a completely valid option to ask about.
Before you do this, your roof will need to be inspected to make sure it can support the weight of the second layer and see if any repairs are necessary prior to the installation. If everything looks good, this process can get you a professionally installed new roof while saving you both time and money. To begin the roof replacement process, visit websites like https://www.centuryroofing.net/.