You Could Fix Your Roof Yourself, but You Probably Shouldn’t

Experienced professionals make difficult jobs look easy, which leads some homeowners to think they can tackle common household maintenance and repair tasks themselves. While there are jobs around the home that a competent DIYer can handle, repairing a roof is not one of them. Working at heights is dangerous in any weather, which is why roofing companies show up at job sites with lots of safety equipment. If you fall while working on your roof, your medical bills and lost income will likely far outweigh what it would have cost to hire a professional. Even if you complete a roof repair without injuring yourself, your cost savings will probably be less than you expect. 

Roof Repairs Are Harder Than They Look

A modern residential roof is made of many layers and components, and they all have to work together if you want to stop water from entering your home. This is why professional roofers must obtain licenses before they look for work. In Minnesota, roofers must take and pass a pre-licensing exam before they can even apply for a license. You may think fixing your roof will only involve replacing a few shingles, but very few roof repairs are as simple as that.

You’re On Your Own

When professionals repair or replace a roof, they back up their work with a guarantee that usually lasts several years. If you repair your roof yourself, you will have no guarantee to fall back on if a misplaced nail causes a leak. If you damage your roof or any other part of your home while replacing shingles, you will likely have to foot the repair bill yourself. This is because most home insurance policies will not cover damage caused by negligence.

You May Not Save Much Money

Repairing your roof yourself may wind up costing more than hiring a professional. You will need a nail gun, extension ladder, and safety harness to complete a roof repair safely, which will probably mean making an expensive trip to a tool rental store. When you visit a home improvement retailer to purchase roofing materials, you will almost certainly have to buy more than you need. When you factor in all of these hidden costs, you may find that hiring a professional would be cheaper.

Enjoy Peace of Mind With Lakes County Roofing

If you live in Central Minnesota and have a roof that needs repair or replacement, Lakes County Roofing is ready to help. We work with homeowners in Douglas, Crow Wing, Cass, Becker, Grant, Otter Tail, and Wadena Counties, and all of our work is guaranteed. You could try fixing your roof yourself, or you can eliminate risk and probably save some money by calling Lakes County Roofing.