By Karen Dix
In today’s economy, prices seem to be rising everywhere, and just as consumers feel the pinch, so do roofing and siding contractors. Roofing and siding material is a significant cost of an overall exterior home improvement project. When shingle and siding manufacturers raise their prices, the cost is passed onto the consumer.
Since COVID, construction material prices increased 24.4%, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors. Prices have modestly increased every year since. Other factors, such as labor shortages and supply chain disruptions, have driven up the cost of roofing and siding materials. Fortunately, as we fast forward to this fall, we saw only a .3% increase in building material costs. That means material costs are stabilizing, so now is a great time to begin working with a roofing and siding contractor to plan your upcoming home exterior project.
Homeowner Fixed Costs
While roofing and siding contractors struggle with keeping costs down due to circumstances beyond their control, consumers, too, have aspects of their exterior home improvement projects that may unavoidably drive up their costs. These include:
- Size of the Home. A small ranch house in Lombard, IL will have a lower roofing or siding estimate than a large home in Lisle, IL that has more square footage to service.
- Pitch of the Roof. The pitch or sharp angle of your roof may require more time, materials, or safety precautions for the residential roofing contractor.
- Complexity of the Home. A more complex home, with dormers and lots of windows or roofs with challenging rooflines, skylights, and other projections may require more labor and time for the installation teams of your roofing and siding contractor.
- Building Codes. Your home’s location and neighborhood or city codes may require permits and certain material additions to your siding or roofing project. They can affect your final cost.
Consumer Choice to Minimize Costs
The good news is that consumers can make many choices to minimize project costs when working with a roofer.
Material Selection
When homeowners begin planning their new roofing project, their material costs are a big part of the budget. Material costs vary and are an area where consumers can save money. For example, asphalt shingles may range from $80-$250 a square (100 square feet), while metal roofs are considerably more, from $100 -$800 a square. Within the asphalt shingle variety, prices also vary depending on style, color, and quality. Pro-Home Services offers top-quality styles and brands such as GAF®, Atlas, Malarkey Roofing Products®, and DaVinci that feature recycled materials. Your roofing and siding contractor in Lisle, can help you select materials and brands that keep you within your budget.
Likewise, siding is available in different materials that vary significantly in price. Choices include wood siding ($1 -$10 square foot), the vinyl or fiberglass models from Mastic or Alside ($4 to $15) or the premium, highly-rated LP®Smartside®, James Hardie® fiber cement, Alside® Composite Cladding which features exceptional durability but cost a bit more.
Another way to reduce costs besides selecting a more inexpensive material is to ask your roofing and siding contractor if choosing a more popular color or style that is readily in stock and easy to ship may help keep costs down.
Detailed Budgeting
Planning your project carefully (and sticking to it!) is an effective way to contain costs when working with your roofing and siding contractor. Create a comprehensive budget that includes labor, materials, permits, and potential contingencies. Ask about ways to reduce these costs and, most importantly, stick to the plan. Avoid change orders during the project that will drive up final costs.
Seasonal Timing
If you schedule your project during off-peak seasons like late fall or early spring, your roofing and siding contractor may offer discounts. You may also have a better selection of available dates to choose from.
DIY Opportunities
Ask your roofing and siding contractor about any parts of the project that you can handle, such as preparation, demolition, painting, etc. Doing it yourself can save on labor costs.
Get Multiple Quotes
Request quotes from several roofing and siding contractors to compare prices and negotiate terms. Pro-Home Services keeps overhead costs low so they can pass on savings to the consumer.
Watch for and Ask for Deals
Most roofing and siding contractors in Lisle, offer special pricing for projects throughout the year. Ask them about the upcoming specials to allow them to extend the deal to you, even if the deal has expired.
Weigh the Pros and Cons of Energy Efficient Roofing Upgrades
New roofing materials provide better insulation and beautify and safeguard your home. When you get a new roof, it’s also a good time to consider solar panels, skylights, vents, and other energy-saving elements, some of which can come with tax credits, rebates, or long-term savings. Research what is available and what makes sense for you. These savings can help offset the project cost and reduce the grand total.
Leverage Discounts and Financing
Financing can make the cost of working with a roofing and siding contractor easier. Ask Pro-Home Services about our competitive financing for customers.
So, while you can’t change some things about your home that affect the cost of your exterior home improvement project, you can control the decisions you make with your roofing and siding contractor in the planning stages.
If you’re dreaming of new roofing or siding sometime in 2025, it’s time to begin planning. Call us today for a free in-home estimate about your roofing and siding project, and let’s explore ways to keep your costs down as we work towards the exterior of your dreams. Contact us today at 630.790.0800