Maintaining Your Home’s Appeal: 4 Ways To Increase The Value Of Your Roof

While Pharrell may have created a fun metaphor with “room without a roof,” in real life, if a house does not have a top covering, it will likely lead to a pretty miserable life. What is even more important to understand is that roofs are complex. They are impressive architectural feats and do not leave too much room for mistakes when it comes to the design, installation, and materials used. Even today, approximately 40% of issues with a building stem from some type of water leakage that comes from the roof.

Also, that three-decade guarantee on the shingles will likely fail around year 15. Now is the time to carefully consider a home’s roof and how it may be able to improve the value of the structure. Keep reading to learn more about the value offered by a quality roof and how it can be designed and installed to increase that value over time.

A Brief History on Roofs

A home's roof is a big deal. The roof has quite a few responsibilities. It has to protect the entire home, everything inside, and all occupants. This rather significant role means that, through the years, roofs have evolved to offer higher levels of durability and improved performance.

There is no question that humans have come far from the days of huts with palm frond roofs. For example, during the 19th century, builders used materials like clay, slate, and wood shakes as roofing. These were used to protect from UV light and to keep rain out. Unfortunately, the materials were heavy, which made them difficult to work with.

During the early part of the 20th century, a business called the H.M. Reynolds Company developed the well-known and widely used asphalt shingle. Once released, many other roofing companies began to adopt the concept and alter it to experiment with different shingle shapes, textured coatings, and fire resistance.

In the 1930s, asbestos and cement were combined to create a roof covering that was extremely durable and that weighed significantly less than slate, which was popular at the time. It was also during the 1930s that sheet metal roofs came on the scene.

It is possible to find hundreds of images of roofing advertisements through the years in publications like Architect Magazine. All these steps showed the industry was making strides in both durability and insulation. Today, the materials used for a roof depend on where someone lives and the roof’s slope.

The Cost of Installing a New Roof

It is estimated that a homeowner will spend between $5,132 and $10,023 to have their home’s roof replaced. With all factors considered, which includes removal of the old roof, the labor required for the job, and the new materials used, it comes out to be between $3.50 to $5.00 for each square foot of the home’s roof. The material that offers the most affordable replacement is asphalt shingles, with tile and slate being on the higher end of the spectrum.

The true costs of roof replacement will depend on the location of the house, the materials that are used, and the size of the home. While it is possible for a homeowner to handle this roof replacement on their own, which will help to eliminate approximately half of these related costs, they could face several complications along the way. This includes things like water damage to selecting the wrong materials to use for the pitch and height. This is why a smarter option is to get information on some of the best roofers in the area and take time to hire the professionals.

Will the Installation of a New Roof Increase the Home’s Value?

The short answer to this question would be a resounding “yes.” It is estimated that homeowners who invest in a new roof will recoup between 67% and 68% of the investment they have made.

The long answer is also “yes,” but it probably is not going to be matched dollar for dollar. According to information in the 2017 Remodeling Impact Report, which was a study that was conducted by the NARI and NAR, stated that up to 45% of all Realtors have made the suggestion for a homeowner to install a new roof before trying to sell their home.

Also, up to 32% of those Realtors in the study claimed that it was the new roof that helped them to close the deal. These organizations have argued that the recovered cost for the current homeowner will be more than the money they spend on the replacement.

Replacing the old roof on a home offers a rather high ROI (return on investment). This is especially true when it is compared to other common improvement projects. However, that does not mean it will be possible to increase the asking price—dollar for dollar—for what was paid for the new roof. Selecting the price for a home is more complex than that.

The main reason for this is because every house is supposed to have a quality, long-lasting roof in place. If someone makes an offer to purchase a house, they are going to do so with the assumption the roof is present and that it is able to do its job. If the roof is directly tied to the price, rather than an add-on, a seller is acting in an entitled manner because they believe that the buyer actually needs shelter.

Maintaining the roof on a home is an expected part of home maintenance. This means that sellers should never expect buyers to pay more for the roof that is there. This is true even in situations where the roof is considered high quality and brand new. This is why most experts agree that going with a midrange roof is a good idea.

There is no need to spend high amounts of money on the roof, but do not try to get away with doing the bare minimum, either. Buyers will know if a seller did the bare minimum, and they will not be willing to pay the upscale prices. For most people, midrange is the best option for a higher ROI.

There is no obvious wrong or right answer when it comes to replacing a roof. If the current roof requires buckets when it rains, then a replacement is the obvious solution. However, there are other situations that are not as clear. For example, if there are not any current leaks, the potential buyer should wait to see what the home inspection says. Also, if the roof does not look great, the buyer should request that a roofing contractor inspect it.

If a homeowner decides that they want to replace their roof, it may be beneficial for them to know how to get the most value from this investment. Some tips are found below.

1. Never Layer the Shingles

There are some who replace the roof by re-shingling over the top of the old roof. This is more affordable and faster, but it is also a short-sighted solution. Experts suggest that, if someone opts to layer the shingles, it may shorten the life of the roof by up to 40%. It may also trap heat and create too much weight.

Buyers, inspectors, and agents will likely mention roof’s with double layers, and this is a factor that may hurt the selling process.

2. Choose Midrange Materials

As mentioned before, buyers are going to know if a homeowner did the bare minimum. This also means they aren’t going to pay top dollar for the new roof they didn’t even have a hand in picking out.

The best option is to select midrange materials that are similar to the homes nearby. It is also a good idea to look at a new roof as an investment in the home’s energy efficiency and insulation, which are also selling points to buyers.

3. Check the Roof and Maintain It Regularly

It is necessary to provide proper maintenance for a roof. This is something that should be done a few times a year to spot any issues that may be present and need attention. Also, make sure to check the roof after a storm passes. It is easier to examine a roof for broken or missing shingles on a regular basis than it is to deal with the water damage that may be caused by storm after storm.

4. Show the Roof as an Asset

If a new roof is installed, this should be used as an asset when selling the home. While this is true, it doesn’t mean the price of the home should be changed.

As anyone can see, the roof on a home is not an extra or unique feature—it is an essential part of the home. Even though that is the case, installing a new roof can increase home value significantly. Keep this in mind to know if this is an investment that should be made.