Roofing questions ?

Considering reroofing my own home with the help of friends. Is this a task that can be handled without a professional? Do I need to get a permit? Just recovering from last years taxes. Hoping I don't need to pull out the credit card. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Alex

Yes, a permit is required for just about any project you do at home. Roofing requires it, and it's important because if you sell it, the buyer is most likely going to ask if it has a permit.

Roofing can be done without a professional very carefully, but it's not without it's risks. I mean you get a leak... it'll be a pain to fix. Not to mention it'll take much longer, 2-4 times longer to do the job than a professional could. As a HVAC professional, I've seen many DIY HVAC attempts that are... special, let's leave it at that. So the risks of doing something that will come back to bite you in the ass within a few years does exist.

But hey people have done it successfully too. If you're able to accept the risks of things going wrong and potentially ending up costing you way more than if you had just hired a professional to begin with, then go for it. Most of the time you'll be OK. It's that "sometimes" that gets ya.

You most likely will need a permit. I've got an air powered roofing nail gun if it helps. It is a do it yourself job if you are inclined to do that kind of stuff. Do you need to remove the old roof? You might need to if you are changing to a different kind of roofing or if there are too many layers on it already. Nothing like sitting on a hot roof in the middle of summer!

Roofing is hard work and you don't want to fall off. It really isn't complicated though. The material you buy comes with picture directions. If you can follow the directions you will be fine.

Definitely need a permit if you are reroofing. My company doesn't do single family homes but I have 120 roofers that work for me installing roofs on apartment complexes and commercial buildings. I know a couple roofers (workers) that are in your area that could maybe help you out on a weekend if you buy the shingle material at Home Depot. In the end it is going to be less risk and not too much more to get several quotes from small residential roofing companies in your area and have it done with them taking the risk. If one friend or yourself gets hurt doing it yourself it will end up costing a lot more, that why workers comp insurance is so high for us roofing companies because guys get hurt even when following safe practices. If you pm me a couple of photos of your roof from the ground and the address and I can give you a quick ballpark cost of bids the local roofers would give you and I would be happy to review the bids once you have them to make sure they included everything since we don't do single family homes. Bidding, inspecting and running our roofing crews is what I do when I'm not in a kayak so happy to help with advise on your house

Thanks Rich. Greatly appreciate it. Will p.m. you pics soon.


Alex

 What kind of roof are you replacing if it comp its easy if its hot you dont anything to do with it. Tec. You need a permit but if your quick and don't piss off your nabor  you can get away with it. You can save money buy buying at Home Depot , but that's a bad idea. You have to go in to the store , pick it up put it on  cart and haul it to your truck , then haul it o your home, then put on your shoulder clim up a ladder and set it on the roof. Know you can haul it up the roof to we're you think you want it. Next you move it agin to where you need it. The smart thing to do is call a whole sale roof supplier order the roof they will do a roof top deliver. You pay more but they put it on the roof and what ever else you need.  They have a better selection and all the extras you need , paper, metal, starters shingles ridge cap. One other tip. Back your container you plan to haul the tear off next to the house and drop all the trash in the trailer. So you don't h ave to pick up the mess twice. There are guys the specialize in tare offs they tear off an haul it away, there worth it. If you don't know what your doing by the time you get the roof prepped you will be to tired to roof it. A nail gun is a must you can rent them.

Roofing is hard work and you don't want to fall off.

Solid advise.

Thanks Bowmen. I am trying to get by for now with just the trim around certain spots around the house that had rot and only about two rows up from the bottom of shingles to satisfy my insurance company for the next two years. If they go for it. They are telling me they may drop my policy. Allstate. Would then have to go to a third party insurance with way less coverage. If so, it is what it is. Lot of expenses at the moment. Can always go back to Allstate at a later time when budget allows. August is tough. My Wife's bday, my Son's bday and are Anniversary. 25 yrs. Rather enjoy a nice get away with the Wife than worry about this roof at the moment.  .

Alex

Roofing is hard work and you don't want to fall off.

Solid advise.

Are you kidding me? I love falling. Especially in my garage when I use the ladder or chairs to get my fishing gear off the shelves and rafters. . Fell one time with a 19 inch screen t.v. in my hand. Don't worry, no damage to the t.v.

Alex

Thanks Bowmen. I am trying to get by for now with just the trim around certain spots around the house that had rot and only about two rows up from the bottom of shingles to satisfy my insurance company for the next two years. If they go for it. They are telling me they may drop my policy. Allstate. Would then have to go to a third party insurance with way less coverage. If so, it is what it is. Lot of expenses at the moment. Can always go back to Allstate at a later time when budget allows. August is tough. My Wife's bday, my Son's bday and are Anniversary. 25 yrs. Rather enjoy a nice get away with the Wife than worry about this roof at the moment.  .

Alex

Tell everyone they're getting a new roof this year. And a fabulous roofing party to go with it. 

Once I was warned about considering putting my own roof on my house, and it went like this;

"This is NOT a going to be a dress rehearsal"

I Zod Out

I've replaced half a dozen roofs in the last 25 years. It isn't rocket surgery, but it is hot, dirty, smelly work. You might fall. You might run into rot, you might put your foot through something on the roof like a skylight or something.

Start at first light, quit for the day by 11am. If you are stripping the old roof get the asphalt felt down as quick as you can. Summer thunderstorms have a way of popping up directly over your exposed roof.

Expect it to take longer than you think it will.

Expect it to take longer than you think it will.

That's with everything I do !

Alex

Start with local building dept. What permit and what inspections required.
May need insp after tear of and all damage repaired/replaced.
Hire firm to strip of old
Find a couple roofers working on side
Have material delivered
Money well spent