Real estate is still a hot and big-ticket item. The median price for a house in the U.S. is running just shy of $430,000. Even in a hot market, though, no sale is a forgone conclusion. People still look for potential problems, such as the condition of the roof.

If a roof doesn’t look great, the buyer may ask for a lower price or even for you to replace the roof ahead of the sale. Some homeowners decide that getting a Roof Replacement first is the practical path.

That can leave you wondering about the process and the roof replacement cost. Keep reading for a quick look at the process and the average costs you can expect.

Types of Roofing

One of the first decisions you must make about home roofing replacement is what kind of roofing materials you want. There are several common types of roofing.

Asphalt shingles are likely the most widely used roofing material in the U.S. Shingles come in three types: 3-tab, dimensional, and luxury.

Other common types of roofing materials include:

• Standing Seam Metal
• Wood shingles or shakes
• Clay tiles
• Concrete tiles
• Slate

Shingles are typically the least expensive roofing material, and most average costs use them as the reference point.

Roofing Replacement Process

For the actual replacement, you should conduct an online search for a “roofing contractor near me.” Once you settle on a contractor, after getting recommendations and checking reviews, they’ll give you an estimate and schedule the work date.

The roofers will remove your entire roof, including the roofing material, underlayment, vapor barrier, and sheathing. Then, they will rebuild the roof by putting down new sheathing. They’ll follow that up with new underlayment, a new vaper barrier, and new roofing material.

They’ll typically replace the drip edge as part of the process. If the contractors notice any related problems, they’ll alert you and often repair them. Although, these additional repairs can add to the cost.

Roof Replacement Cost

It’s important to note that your location can play a major role in the final cost of your roof replacement. Labor costs run higher in areas where the cost of living is high, which drives up the cost of any labor-intensive work.

You should also understand that average costs assume an average size home. With those caveats in place, the average roof replacement cost runs approximately $8800. That price will go up if you use a more expensive roofing material, such as slate.

Roof Replacement and You

Some homeowners get a roof replacement because of damage to their roof, but many do it as part of selling their homes. A roof that looks neglected can push down the selling price of your home.

The overall roof replacement cost isn’t fixed in stone. You must get estimates from local roofing contractors for a reliable picture of what the average costs are in your area. Remember, costs will run higher in areas where the cost of living runs high.

Looking for more home improvement tips? Head over to our Real Estate & Home section.

Jane