With the new year arriving, it’s never too early to budget and plan for any roof repairs you’ll need in 2022. Preventative maintenance is your best bet to avoiding costly repairs down the road. Being able to plan out your preventative maintenance to-do list and minor repairs will help you budget and avoid that nasty last-minute surprise of a full roof replacement.

Knowing about how much your repairs are going to run is important when trying to set a budget for the coming year. We’ll give you a rough idea on how much fixing certain issues will cost you. Remember though that these are just ballpark estimates. Schedule an appointment with a roofer today to get a better idea of how much some of these will be in your specific instance.

Minor repairs

Asphalt shingles: if you want to repair or replace a 10 foot by 10 foot square of shingles, it should cost around $550-$1500. Asphalt shingles are very durable and when they are new, they can last up to 30 years. Over time, the shingles can become brittle, and when they do, they are prone to cracking. In areas with harsh weather like hail, you’ll find that the shingles can wear out quickly. Even sunny areas take their toll, with heat and those harsh UV rays beating down day after day. Thankfully, the earlier you address small issues like cracks, the more likely you’ll get a long life out of your roof.

Wood roofing: shaked and shingles made of wood will cost about $500-$1200 to repair a similar sized area. Cedar shake roofing is one of the most striking, gorgeous roofing choices you can make! It’s also an expensive investment in your house, so you’ll want to take care of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of the shingles can prevent water damage that can eventually invade your house.

Gravel roofing: even this fairly simple type of roofing requires maintenance and repair. First, you have to make sure an even layer of gravel is spread over the entire roof. Moss and other debris can’t be allowed to build up, or it will allow water to pool. The membrane underneath is essential for preventing water from penetrating below, so a good roofer will need to check and make sure there have been no cracks or breaks in the surface. This can be as simple as a $150 service call, but minor touch-ups will be a bit more.

Gutters: making sure you have a proper place for that water to run off is one of the simplest yet most important ways to keep your roof in tip-top shape. Gutter repair can be in the hundreds, and of course, it could cost $1000 or more to replace your gutters entirely. Most of the time, a good cleaning and slight adjustment are all you need.

Chimney repair: chimneys are a major source of water intrusion. They can also be prone to cracking and even collapsing if they aren’t looked after. $450 is a good starting point for most simple chimney repairs. When water damage goes undetected for a while, it can cause major damage.

Vent boots: like chimneys, these are places where roof leaks are common. Repairing a leak could cost a few hundred dollars. It’s so important to have these places regularly inspected because they are so prone to leakage. Just a couple hundred dollars can save you thousands down the road!

Major Repairs

Replacing multiple sections of shingles: every time you replace a section of your shingles, the cost is going to go up. So, if a single ten by ten section cost $1000 to repair, you can imagine how much doing 3 sections would be! This really highlights how important it is to take care of regular preventative maintenance. A simple $150 service call to check and clear debris might avoid a $1500 expense down the road.

Roof replacement: this is of course the most major roof expense you can have. If you need it, it’s worth it! Remember that the roof is all that stands between rain, snow, and hail and your nice comfy house.

The cost of replacing a roof depends on how large of a roof area you have. The nationwide roof size average is about 1500 square feet. The cost also depends on the roofing material you have. Here are some sample costs based on material.

Asphalt: An asphalt roof usually costs around $6,000 – 9,000 to replace 1500 square feet. The exact amount depends on exactly what grade of shingle you choose. There can be other factors like the color and pattern that can drive the cost up or down, depending on what you select.

Cedar Shake: The costs are similar for cedar shakes, around $6,000 – $9,000 for 1500 square feet. Again there are different grades of shingles that can affect the cost.

Concrete tile: Concrete tile roofs are exceptionally durable, but they require a lot of expertise to install correctly. Just 1000 square feet could cost up to $20,000. You’ll have a lot to choose from in concrete roofs. They come in flat, curved, spanish and barrel styles.

Conclusion:

The most important repair you can get right now isn’t a repair at all. Instead, schedule a roof inspection as soon as you can. Service calls usually start at around $100-$150. This way, a qualified roofer can tell you the condition of the roof and any repairs that need to be done now, as well as those that can wait until later. They’ll also be able to accurately give you the size of your roof, which is very helpful in estimating your costs down the road.

Often maintenance alone is a way to head off many problems. Getting sticks, leaves and other debris cleared out of valleys and shingles can prevent water from pooling. Other issues will just develop as a matter of time, and when you know what to look for, you’ll know how to plan and budget for it!