Comp shingle for old home

[alarmguy]

OK here is one quote. I'm not ready to pull the trigger at all, but the info can help me figure out if I want to simply repair stuff on the roof, or get a new one.

For recovering the entire roof, the guy wants $10,200. For just the repairs of the spots I showed him (and a couple others he spotted), he wants $1750.

Using the idea that I can get 5 more years out of this roof with just the repairs, that is about as much per year as doing the roof recovery, for 30 years.

So I'm not sure I'll be saving much over the long run, by simply repairing a few spots, and there very well might be leaks that develop over the next five years that also need repairing---which problems wouldn't develop if I were to pay up and get the entire roof done now.

OK, what do you folks think about that?

Replace the roof, save yourself headaches and if you carry homeowners insurance, make sure to notify them that you have a new roof you may get a discount or at the very least reduce future increases.

You can also shop for homeowners insurance from other companies saving you have a new roof, which is a question from every insurance company. You may find you get a much better rate than you pay now.

 

[paulri]

Got a new quote today, and this guy said a totally new roof would only be 1-2 grand more, and didn't even try to talk me into getting a recovering of the old roof. The first guy said a totally new roof would be an extra 5 grand.

 

[JHZR2]

Frankly, the cost differential is much less than what you would think.
In the example that I gave, the same group that put my roof on also does metal.
I also had them quote the metal.
In my case, I could have gone metal for right around a grand difference.
I really wanted to go that way, and was seriously considering doing so.
The problem was that Mrs. Tdbo threw such a fit.

Not in cases I’ve looked at. On a 40x25 garage building, gable roof, two dormers, it was around $14k for shingles, $23k for metal.

 

[RhondaHonda]

$5k for a tear off on that size roof is a ripoff. Do it right, get some more quotes and pull the old shingles off first. Also, please don’t put plain 3-tab shingles on. Spend a little more for an architectural shingle.

 

[rszappa1]

A lot of shingle manufactures will not warranty your new shingles if you place them over old ones...

 

[paulri]

Speaking of which, what exactly is a shingle warranty worth? I mean, if a storm blows some off, I couldn't go to the shingle manuf. could I? So when would that matter?

At any rate, I've pretty much decided to have the old ones taken off. Now, my only issue is which roofer.

A lot of shingle manufactures will not warranty your new shingles if you place them over old ones...

 

[Lubener]

Speaking of which, what exactly is a shingle warranty worth? I mean, if a storm blows some off, I couldn't go to the shingle manuf. could I? So when would that matter?

At any rate, I've pretty much decided to have the old ones taken off. Now, my only issue is which roofer.

Usually the warranty for the actual shingles is not worth the paper it is printed on. As far as roofers go, check with your local building department to see if they are registered , have a good standing , have been in business a long time and have been certified by the shingle company which you choose.. Roofers come and go like the wind. . I am always suspicious of the roofer who offers a 50 year leak free warranty when they have been in business less than 10.

 

[Tdbo]

Not in cases I’ve looked at. On a 40x25 garage building, gable roof, two dormers, it was around $14k for shingles, $23k for metal.

I pulled the paperwork from the Amish company that did our roof.
They would have installed a metal roof from a vendor named Premier Metals.
It would have been their Premier Rib series, custom made with 26-28 ga. steel, depending on color.
Their price was $14070, vs. the $12867 price on the shingle roof, a difference of $1203.
Actually, it may have been less than that. I negotiated a $750 discount off the shingle roof, which is reflected in the $12867 price.
If that would have carried over to the metal (which I think I could have gotten,) that would have reduced the price of the metal to $13320, a difference of $453.
I didn't pursue it, because of Mrs. Tdbo's reaction to it.

 

[JHZR2]

I pulled the paperwork from the Amish company that did our roof.
They would have installed a metal roof from a vendor named Premier Metals.
It would have been their Premier Rib series, custom made with 26-28 ga. steel, depending on color.
Their price was $14070, vs. the $12867 price on the shingle roof, a difference of $1203.
Actually, it may have been less than that. I negotiated a $750 discount off the shingle roof, which is reflected in the $12867 price.
If that would have carried over to the metal (which I think I could have gotten,) that would have reduced the price of the metal to $13320, a difference of $453.
I didn't pursue it, because of Mrs. Tdbo's reaction to it.

That’s great. Maybe it’s because they were Amish, so fewer $60k trucks to buy and write off on their taxes?!?

Around here all these guys have super fancy trucks. They’re overcharging consumers, who are willing to pay for it…

 

[Lubener]

That’s great. Maybe it’s because they were Amish, so fewer $60k trucks to buy and write off on their taxes?!?

Around here all these guys have super fancy trucks. They’re overcharging consumers, who are willing to pay for it…

Having the Amish do a job is greatly over exagerated. They do over charge and I do good work but I don't think their work is better than any other contractor. One thing you will get from them is an honest days work without time being wasted playing with a phone on the job.

 

[Tdbo]

Having the Amish do a job is greatly over exagerated. They do over charge and I do good work but I don't think their work is better than any other contractor. One thing you will get from them is an honest days work without time being wasted playing with a phone on the job.

Anybody and anyone can overcharge. That is why it is incumbent upon people to do their own due diligence.
However what you generally get from an Amish business is integrity, attention to detail, and pride in their workmanship.
I solicited five estimates for the roof that I had installed.
The bid from the Amish company that I selected was the second lowest, but only by fifty dollars.
For that fifty, I got better quality shingles and material, attention to detail, a work ethic that left me speechless, and a one day job.

 

[Tdbo]

That’s great. Maybe it’s because they were Amish, so fewer $60k trucks to buy and write off on their taxes?!?

Around here all these guys have super fancy trucks. They’re overcharging consumers, who are willing to pay for it…

Also factor in the market difference: Jersey vs. Ohio. Quite the difference in doing business between the two states.

 

[JHZR2]

Also factor in the market difference: Jersey vs. Ohio. Quite the difference in doing business between the two states.

But I wasnt talking the total cost, I was talking the relative cost of asphalt vs metal. The materials cost isn’t substantially different. Even sales tax is within 1%.

It’s one of these scenarios where the product line claims easier installs, better everything. Do metal in a day! Type things… Then the salesman comes and the numbers aren’t what they seem. By a long shot.

The company owner needs to pay for their turbo diesel truck and boat payments, while the (illegal) workers do the work. That’s the driver of the pricing, IMO.

 

[Tdbo]

But I wasnt talking the total cost, I was talking the relative cost of asphalt vs metal. The materials cost isn’t substantially different. Even sales tax is within 1%.

It’s one of these scenarios where the product line claims easier installs, better everything. Do metal in a day! Type things… Then the salesman comes and the numbers aren’t what they seem. By a long shot.

The company owner needs to pay for their turbo diesel truck and boat payments, while the (illegal) workers do the work. That’s the driver of the pricing, IMO.

If you want to narrow things down to material cost, you are correct in the sense that the price delta between the two is relatively small.

Last June when I met with the guy who estimated my job, he stated that during 2024, they had seen relatively large increases in the price of asphalt products, while the price of metal products were dropping. That was demonstrated in the pricing that I received. They had no preference which they installed. They simply wanted the work.

I suspect that isn't the case with every service provider. I would suspect that longevity of product is at least subliminally factored into those bids as well. Some may prefer installing asphalt instead of metal, or vice versa. They may only offer a metal option only because the market demands it, not because of their desire to market or work with it. Many people want the cheaper option, so if pricing is massaged to show asphalt as the more economical option, and metal as the premium option, perhaps the desired result is achieved.

In regards to the statement about the company owner and his/her excesses, that's true. I have a former student who owns a large roofing company that while not in my general vicinity, is in his service area. He would be displeased if he knew that I purchased a roof without at least giving him a shot. However, when I run across him on social media flaunting his newest pimped-out truck that he usually changes out as often as his underwear, his Rolexes, the Vettes that he picked up (and usually tore the drivetrains out of) while "Drifting" , or his massive "Tat" collection (just to name a few things,) it doesn't present well.

While I don't begrudge him his materialism, I also didn't wish to subsidize it.

 

[JTK]

I pulled the paperwork from the Amish company that did our roof.
They would have installed a metal roof from a vendor named Premier Metals.
It would have been their Premier Rib series, custom made with 26-28 ga. steel, depending on color.
Their price was $14070, vs. the $12867 price on the shingle roof, a difference of $1203.
Actually, it may have been less than that. I negotiated a $750 discount off the shingle roof, which is reflected in the $12867 price.
If that would have carried over to the metal (which I think I could have gotten,) that would have reduced the price of the metal to $13320, a difference of $453.
I didn't pursue it, because of Mrs. Tdbo's reaction to it.

The amount the prices have gone up is nuts. In 2020-21 when I had an Amish metal roof put on our 2700 sq/ft home, it cost me just under $8K all in. The materials came from Classic Ridge Metals in South Dayton NY which isn't too far from me, which is also an Amish run mill. I'd imagine if I got ahold of this crew today, it would be 2x the cost if not more. When I had it done, it was a cash, no receipt, pay when complete job. 5 Amish fellas started about 8am and were basically done by 4-5pm.

My only issue with metal is the snow situation. My location and roof design made it so I had to have ice rails added every ~10ft. Even that last foot to the edge would kill someone or crush a car when that section crashes to the ground. You can't walk on them to shovel it off. I'm afraid to walk on it in warm/dry weather.. Then there's the fastener grommet debate, where "you need to replace the fasteners every X years".

I figure with what I have into it, if I get another 10yrs, it's not really a loss.