Roofing is one of the most important parts of a house, so it’s crucial for a real estate investor to know the best practices surrounding roofing. This knowledge can help you save a lot of money and get great returns on your property investments. Read on to see some of the basic but important things that you need to know about roofing.
Different Roofing Materials Have Different Lifespans
As far as roofs go, it’s good to note that no two roofs are the same. This is in terms of the roofing material and other details such as the workmanship and age. For example, a new metal roof, according to State Farm Insurance Statistics, can last for as long as 40 to 70 years. Learning about roofing materials should help you understand the investment that you’re making so that you don’t get a raw deal.
Do research on the different types of roofs so that you are aware of their cost and quality. This way, it will be possible for you to make the right call when buying a property. You can effectively budget when you know whether you need to replace the entire roof or you simply need to do repairs to it. As you become a more experienced real estate investor, you will gradually pick up more and more roofing knowledge. While it may feel like a steep learning curve, it’s going to be well worth the effort in the end if you intend to have a future in real estate investing.
An Old Roof Is Different From a Damaged Roof
Another important piece of information to keep in mind is that there’s a difference between a roof being old and being worn out. If a roof is several decades old and nearing the end of its usable life, you may not have much of a choice between replacing the entire roof or simply repairing it. The final call will be dictated by the type of roof a property has. Some types of roofing, including slate and metal roofs, can benefit from a partial replacement when they are at the end of their lifespan to ensure they are able to weather a few more storms. How much time, effort, and cash you need to put into roofing services really depend on the condition of the roof.
For a damaged roof, the course of action that you need to follow will be dictated by the extent of the damage. If the damage is not too extreme, you could get away with doing a simple repair. Finding a roofing contractor who can take on a repair project should be easy thanks to the fact that in 2021, there were 108,069 roofing businesses in operation across the country.
It’s Important to Work With an Actual Roof Expert
Finally, as mentioned earlier in this article, learning all the details of roofing can prove to be a bit of work in itself. It is for this reason that you ought to think about getting an expert roofing contractor on your side. They can help you make the right call in terms of whether the roof on a property that you are eyeing is going to make the house a liability. They will help you make a good decision that won’t cost you in the long term.
While a replacement roof can give 85% or more of its investment costs back when the property is resold, there are scenarios where this would not be enough to cover your costs. This makes it important to work with a professional who can tell you the truth about a property’s roof condition. You need to have as much clarity as possible when purchasing a property with roof damage.
If you are a real estate investor, it’s important to keep these three things in mind. Doing so can help you make a good decision that will see you turning a profit with every house that you flip.