Should I let my husband put on a new roof?

Question

He doesn't want to pay for professional roofer and has put a roof on a small building he built. Our ceilings are leaking, and the professional roofer who gave us a $3000 quote (somebody who was well-recommended) said he'd be putting a new roof over the existing one (you can do that with one layer).

I'm wondering if my husband has the expertise...

He's relatively handy, but not a construction worker by any means.
It's great that he's willing, but I'm wondering if there's more to roofing than meets the eye...

He has roofed before, a peaked roof for a small studio.

And believe me, I've raised the "If you fall...!!!!" issue.

I just wonder if there's more to roofing than shingles and flashing, more that he doesn't realize he'll need to install. He has an offer of help from a family member who's strong, but I don't know that he's done this kind of thing before.

Answer 1

Answer:
It depends on the style of the roof, height (1 or 2 story), roofing material, and construction skills.

I did this for my previous house 20 years ago (about 2500 square feet for the house and garage) and it was a big job that took me al summer to finish (nights and weekends) with help from my dad and brothers. The roof was cedar shakes so all the original shakes needed to be stripped (tiring work, messy and lots of debris.) But the roof style had 4 gables and 4 valleys to flash - that took all of the time to do the roof. The flat planes are a piece of cake.

If your house is a moderate slope (no more than 6:12 pitch), with either hip style or simple gables, no serious underlayment problems, 1-story tall, then it is possible to DIY.

The problem areas are: at valleys, around vent stacks, around chimneys and skylight openings, and where two different planes meet (roof and wall, or two separate roof planes.) Make sure he puts uses drip edges wherever the roof meets the gutters and on the gable edges to protect the wood from rotting. And be extremely careful working around the power lines where they enter the roof at the weatherhead. 220V can be deadly.

I would give serious thought to stripping off the existing roof, to carefully check the condition of the underlayment (OSB or plywood) and replace if necessary. (Heck you can even add more ceiling insulation.) Just adding a new layer over the existing layer will hide any defects.

If he goes for it, use air-powered tools. Don't even bother using a hammer to nail all the shingles - otherwise, we will read a follow-up question from you this time next year. ;-)

I would not attempt a 2-story roof --- one slip is way too dangerous for him and your family. Your husband should consider an arresting safety sling while he is on the roof, or put up scaffolding all around the house ($$$) to protect from a fall.

I have only listed a few things. There is a lot more to doing a good roofing job. I would check out several books on roofing so he fully understands what he is getting into. Sunset Books has a good primer book, but I'm sure there are others.

And check with your building dept. if you need to pull a permit. It's worth having an inspector check your work, and it helps when you go to sell your house.

Good luck.

Answer 2

is this a flat roof/ felt roof? The trouble with professionals is that the expert comes to do the quote then sends a less expensive lad along to do the work. The our's leaked again very quickly.

The best stuff to use is a kind of glassfiber. Felt, with or without chippings will always leak after a while.

If yours has bubbled they should not be roofing on top, imho.

3000 seems a lot. get another quote.

Answer 3

Yes get a pro.
If you roof is leaking you might have some kind of rotting of the wood and mold. I would suggest that you get some one to really look at your roof from the inside out.
You can put a new roof on an old one but you might need to replace a few pieces of plywood first. A metal roof would do wonders it is more energy efficient. And most are guaranteed for life.
It is better to do it right the first time and pay more, than to have to do it wrong and have to do it all over again.
Make sure you get a licensed contractor.

Answer 4

Let him go for it but only if he can get help to get the job done faster, I would still remove the old shingles and start from the plywood up with new tar paper flashing and shingles. It is a pretty straight forward job if you have sufficient help. Price the shingles you should at least get a good 30 year shingle will cost more, but will last longer. If he can get the old shingles off in one day and the tar paper down and has help installing the flashing and new shingles he should be in good shape.

Answer 5

Honestly if he doesn't have a lot of experience at that type of thing you should hire a professional. Your husband could end up messing your roof up more and it would cost you a lot more money for the pro to fix what he messed up and to do the original project.

My boyfriend is a mechanic. He goes to people's homes to fix their cars. He has had several customers who have attempted to repair their cars themselves with very little experience. They end up breaking more things and pay sometimes up to double or triple than what they would have had to pay him to just do the work because not only does he have to do the original job he has to fix the things they broke.

If he has very little experience hire a professional. They have better tools and supplies and you will probably get more longevity from a professional job than ameture

Answer 6

tune in next week for the answer to this question on
America's funniest people.

even if he's handy, a roof is quite simple but time consuming and back breaking work.

have him buy a keg of beer and invite a few buddies over.
specifically ones that have roofed before.

its a hard job!

Answer 7

Hek yea it not woth the time or effort!!
Remeber Safty comes first!
I learn somtime it better to pay some one then take a chance injuring one self and lose a job or have to take time off which can cost more in the long run. Is it worth falling of a roof and getting kill or have neck or spine injury!
Pay the money and let them take the risk!

Answer 8

When you say "roof" do you mean "THE ROOF" or just the "SHINGLES". Many people make this mistake.

If you mean "shingles", then go ahead... Heck I did MY OWN shingles... its easy as breathing dern near... But then I am considered Mrs. fixit : )

If your husband is not to good with Mr. fixit things...AND you mean putting on a "new roof"... have a professional do it !!!!

Answer 9

I would spend the money and have it done professionally.Last year I was in the same boat.I had it done by a roofer,it was done right,done quickly,and he was licensed and bonded so if anything failed,his work was under warranty.I live in Alaska and so far the roof has performed wonderfully.

Answer 10

If his DIY skills are up to scratch then there is no reason why he should not do it himself. Unless you both want to wake up looking at the sky it would be prudent for him to thoroughly research what should be done and HOW before he starts work