Roofing material can determine the cost of roof repairs.
A roof is critical to both the curb appeal of a house, as well as the comfort of the people living there. Constant maintenance and repair are necessary to prevent costly energy bills and to avoid rain and snow from damaging the interior or the structure. Because of the complexity of roofing, most repairs are best performed by professionals. Does this Spark an idea?
Estimates
For the best prices, get several estimates and go with the one that combines the best prices with the best guarantees and reputation. Make sure that any amounts include removal of any old roofing material, materials and the labor needed to install new shingles and applying sealant. Though damaged shingles may be the obvious cause of any leaks, flashing can also cause the problem. Flashing forms the edges where a roof meets a chimney or skylight, or other rooflines. It can easily produce leaks and is relatively inexpensive to replace. Typical costs are $5 to $15 per piece, or from $100 to $400 to replace all the flashing around a skylight. This is according to Cost Owl, as of 2011.
Costs
Handymen can make simple repairs, such as replacing a few shingles. However, for extensive repairs, use a professional and licensed roofing contractor. They will typically charge by the square, which represents 10 by 10 feet, or 100 square feet. Repair costs primarily depend on materials. At the time of publication, the cheapest option, asphalt shingles, costs from $100 to $300 per square, according to Cost Owl. More durable architectural shingles cost up to $400. Wooden shingles are priced at $200 to $325, and slate shingles are the most expensive at $400 to $600. Repairs of less than a square, involving just a few shingles, can average from $75 to $250.
Comparisons
The wages of roofers, compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2010, illustrate how costs for roof repair can vary according to location. Roofing professionals made a mean wage of $18.21 per hour, or $37,880 per year, with the lowest 10 percent getting $10.59 per hour, or $22,030 per year, and the highest 10 percent earning a mean $29.14 per hour, or $60,610 per year. The state with the highest salaries for roofers was Hawaii, with means at $26.20 per hour or $54,490 per year, followed by Connecticut with a mean $26.08 per hour, or $54,240 per year.
Urban and Rural
The cities with the highest pay for roofers were Rockford, Illinois, at a mean $32.04 per hour, or $66,640 per year; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, at a mean $29.51 per hour, or $61,370 per year; and Honolulu, Hawaii, at a mean $28.59 per hour, or $59,470 per year. Pay was far lower in rural areas such as Northwest Illinois, at a mean $25.12 per hour, or $52,260 per year; the Mother Lode Region of California, at a mean $23.67 per hour, or $49,240 per year; and Hawaii, Maui and Kauai at a mean $23.51 per hour, or $48,900 per year.
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