The price of a new roof system varies widely, depending on such things as the materials selected, contractor doing the work, home or building, location of the home or building, local labor rates, and time of year. To get a good idea of the price for your roof system, get two or three proposals from reputable contractors in your area. 

Keep in mind that price is only one factor, and it must be balanced with the quality of the materials and workmanship. For each roofing material, there are different grades and corresponding prices. There also are a variety of styles and shapes. You need to look at the full product range and make a choice based on your budget and needs. Within the roofing profession, there are different levels of expertise and craftsmanship. Insist on roofers who are committed to quality work.

To find your annual roofing cost, divide your total cost (materials and labor) by the life expectancy of your roof (in years). If you have further questions, call to speak to one of our roofers today.

Clearly written proposals that are detailed and broken down into separate line items are a good sign that the contractor is being thorough and has prepared an accurate estimate. The following is a partial list of items your roofers should include in your estimate or proposal:

• Type of roof covering, manufacturer, and color
• Materials to be included in the work, such as underlayment, ice dam protection membrane
• Scope of work to be done
• Removal or replacement of the existing roof
• Flashing work, such as replacing existing flashings, adding new flashings, flashing metal type
• Ventilation work, such as adding new vents
• Who is responsible for repairing or replacing exterior landscape or interior finishes that are damaged during the course of the work
• Installation method
• Approximate starting and completion dates
• Payment procedures
• Length of warranty and what is covered, such as workmanship and water leakage.

In general, this is the recommended replacement schedule based on the material used:  

• Asphalt Shingles: 15-30 years 
• Wood Shingles: 20-25 years 
• Rubber Roofs: 30-50 years 
• Metal Roofs: 50-75 years 

These suggested time frames will vary depending on the climate that the roof is exposed to. Severe winters and humidity may wear out the materials more quickly. After a severe storm or high winds, it is good to get on the roof and check for any damage. The roof is essential protection for your home and possessions so stay on top of it, so make sure it is structurally sound and that you call roofing companies as needed.

Algae growth exists as a brown to black discoloration of the shingle and is caused by blue-green algae known as Gloeocapsa. Although algae may exist on a shingle, it does not affect the functional performance of the shingle. Essentially, this is an aesthetic problem to speak to roofers about if you so desire.

There are a couple of things that you, or experienced roofing companies, can do to correct this problem: Make sure that the attic is well ventilated to reduce moisture build-up. You may need to install additional vents. Remove the fasteners from the shingles that have been affected and refasten. You may want to replace any of the buckled shingles as well.