The best time to replace your roof is when you don’t need to. It’s like waiting until you’re doubled over in tooth pain before deciding to see the dentist. Then comes the worst part – you call to make an appointment, and you have to wait 6 weeks to get in the door!
(Don’t worry, we’ve all been there).
The same thing happens with getting a new roof. People know it’s expensive, and can be a loud process, so they wait as long as possible before getting started. Then, once they’re staring at brown water marks on the ceiling, they call for an estimate and have to wait months before anyone can show up.
There’s a simple way to avoid this.
Plan ahead. For one, there are ways to see if your roof is damaged. Roofing materials also come with a life expectancy, so you could time your new roof based on that.
All this said, there are times of the year where it’s less expensive to get a roof. Or there are ways you can fit yourself in the most popular time and still get a decent price. Let us explain.
There’s a best time for us, and there’s a best time for you.
Roofers don’t prefer to work in the rain. It’s slippery and could cause further damage to your home, if the right precautions aren’t taken. We also aren’t crazy about peak summer – when its 90 degrees on the ground, it can be 120 on the roof.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, our late summer and fall months bring long, cool days. Knowing this, the roofing suppliers will increase their prices, as they know these are the popular months for roof replacements. In turn, the roofing contractors need to up their prices, too.
This is the most popular time for roof replacements, though it can be near impossible to find a reputable roofing contractor in this time. It’s also the most expensive. You might have to wait weeks, or months, before someone could get to you.
Which brings us to our next question:
Can you install a roof in the winter?
If you have roof damage going into winter, the freezing temperatures could expand and contract the existing roofing materials, making your problems far worse.
A skilled roofing contractor can install a new roof during any time of the year. A job at this time is entirely possible, it just depends on the type of materials you decide on (some are more compatible with the cold). Plus side, since it’s a slow time for contractors, you could practically have your pick with who you choose.
Remember this date: April 1
This is when you’ll see prices go up for roofing contractors. Here’s what you can do: schedule a roofing contractor before this time, and get them to agree on a price before they are increased.
Or, you can just go with a company in the off-seasons, like spring, summer and winter.
Ultimately, it’s about planning ahead.
Like your dental work, fixing roofing problems as soon as they arise can save you issues down the road. The last thing you want is a less-than-average roofing company coming in because you couldn’t schedule something with anyone else.
Are you looking ahead to a new roof? Let us know what questions you have about peak seasons and how to save the most money.
