DIY has become a way of life for many, and there are times when doing a job yourself can be beneficial. It’s obviously a great way to save on labor costs, and many get a sense of pride and satisfaction when they finish a job.
However, there are certain home repairs that should never be done by the average homeowner. Not only could they be dangerous, but they might also lead to additional damage to your home; damage you’ll most likely have to call a pro to fix. One common example is roof repairs and replacement. Here are three reasons why you should never DIY a roofing job.
It Won’t Really Save You Money
Many people think that roofing repairs just require a hammer, some shingles, and a few minutes watching an online video. In reality, the work involves much more than this, especially if you want it done right.
Do-it-yourself roof work costs you in ways that you may not have considered. You’ll pay much more for roofing materials than professionals, for instance. Professionals can also finish the work much faster than you would, whether it is a single professional with the right tools or an experienced team. So, you have to consider the time consumed, the extra costs, and the possible risk of causing additional damage to the roof.
Roofing work isn’t as easy as it may look. If you don’t know the right techniques, you could make installation mistakes that will cost you, and if you don’t have the right tools, you’ll be creating problems instead of solving them. Even If you somehow manage to do it right with the correct tools, the end result still won’t be as good as if you hired a professional roofing company. So, it’s always better to work with a professional who knows what they’re doing and will get you the best result every time.
It Is Dangerous
For some reason, a lot of people are under the impression that roofing work is accessible, but it will always be safer to let professionals do roof work than do it yourself. More than 2,000 people die every year because they fell off a roof, and DIYers count for a large number of fatal accidents.
It would be a better option to work with a roofing company that will be following proper safety procedures. They will have all the proper safety equipment needed and will also know how to use it. This will negate the chances of you getting seriously injured or accidentally stepping through a soft spot in the roof. A side benefit of leaving it to the pros is that they know how to handle risks like impending storms or wasp nests.
It Could Void the Warranty and Home Insurance
Most roofing manufacturers will only honor their warranty if the work was done by a certified installation company. So, if you do the work yourself, they could argue that damage was caused by your DIY work even if there was a defect in the shingles you received.
You could also run in some trouble with your insurance company. In many cases, insurers may pull the homeowner’s policy if they find out you replaced the roof by yourself. This is why it’s important that you double-check your insurance policy if you do decide to follow through.
DIY roof jobs are extremely risky and unless you have prior experience and feel confident in your skills, you should definitely work with a pro. This will not only allow you to reduce risks but will also make sure that you get a professional result as well.
yes dangerous and you need some skill but if you dont have a complicated roof shingling is not difficult, read watch some videos. and dont skimp on flashing. roof warranties are very hard to get adjusted. as for cost i have 1600 sq foot house hip roof came to 25sq and it was $450 a sq foot plus any plywood $100 sheet materials were about $100 sq for shingles about 2- for tar paper etc. so for mu sw fl house was 14000+ i replaced myself 10 sq back in 05 from hurricane charlie still in good shape after irma and 2 other storms . i would have done it again except i now have a damaged spine from other cause .