These days, everyone loves a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. From reality television to Pinterest, the craze has officially swept the nation, turning even the most inept craftsmen into aspiring builders.
You only need to tune into HGTV or a similar channel to see how many house-flipping and DIY shows are boosting the ratings of these stations. Despite the inaccuracies of these shows being well-documented, the number of homes that are being purchased, flipped, and thrown back onto the market with often subpar craftsmanship is potentially leading the country towards another housing bubble.
There’s No Such Thing as a Budget-Friendly Roof
Housing markets aside, the effects of these shows are even reaching homeowners who are simply looking to save some money on their housing budget. It’s no secret that putting a new roof on your house costs quite a bit of money, but it’s an investment that adds value to your home, provides safety to your family, and can save you from costly leaks, wasted energy and so much more.
This is why it is a process that shouldn’t be taken lightly, and should always be done by a professional team of roofing experts.
DIY is for Small Projects
DIY projects are great, but there’s a world of difference between cutting a pallet in half to make a reclaimed shelf and redoing the shingles on your roof.
Half the fun of DIY projects is learning from your mistakes. When your poorly constructed pallet shelf falls off your wall the first time you hang it up, you can laugh, figure out where you went wrong, and try again.
But your roof is not a learning experience.
Don’t Put Yourself at Risk
Yes, part of the cost of obtaining a new roof goes to labor and yes, you will save a lot of money (at first) by purchasing the materials and doing the work yourself. But unless you know precisely what you are doing, you are putting yourself, and your roof in danger.
Leaving out the fact that you are climbing on top of a tall structure with a bunch of sharp tools, roofing shingles are finicky materials. It’s not just about attaching them to your roof and calling it a day. Many things can go wrong:
- Poorly attached shingles can fall off during the first storm to hit your area.
- Shingles that aren’t aligned properly can cause leaks and wood rot.
- Improper ventilation can cause mold in your attic.
- These are just a few of the things that can go wrong. Did we mention that bundles of shingles can weigh about 80 lbs, and you need to lug quite a few of them up to your roof to complete the project?
DIY websites and shows make replacing a roof look easy, and do you know why? Because the people who are doing it in those videos are professionals.
How to Save Money
If you are looking to save money, remember that insurance companies frequently cover the cost of a new roof, especially if there has been significant storm or hail damage.
In effect, doing it yourself is essentially saving the insurance company money, not you. If you want the job done right (the first time) and you want a great rate, contact the roofing mn professionals at Schmidt Roofing. We have been in this business for more than 20 years, and have replaced roofs throughout Minnesota and beyond.
Contact us today to get a free estimate!
