Repairing the roof of your home can give you a run for your money. That’s why most homeowners hesitate in replacing worn out shingles until they get some financing. In fact, roof repairs can amount to more than $20,000, easily. But regardless of your financial status, there comes a time when a worn out roof has to be removed immediately, especially if it has been in place for 15 years. Such a roof usually has coiled, cracked or missing shingles that allow rain and snow to make its way inside the house.
 
Besides that, you might have to budget for a new roof if you intend to sell your house in the near future. This is because buyers normally avoid investing in a property that needs to be repaired. The problem is that an aged roof is one those things that can’t be overlooked during home inspections. Fortunately, you can still repair your roof without having to rob a bank. Here is a list of tips that can guide you when you want to get a new roof without spending beyond your means.


 
1. Create a Budget and Stick to It
 
There are so many things that can go wrong when you start a roof repair project without a budget. In fact, there is a possibility that the project will stall due to lack of money. For the sake of being on the safe side, it’s important you create a budget and stick to it. The advantage of drafting a budget is that it will guide you when shopping for materials and hiring laborers. Remember, a small mistake like buying expensive materials can jeopardize your roofing project. Even when hiring laborers, you must stick to those that you can afford to pay without compromising the budget.
 
2. Hire a Roofing Contractor
 
A roofing project is not one of those things that you can handle on your own. Involving an experienced contractor such as roofing st Louis helps in ensuring that there is no room for mistakes. The other advantage is that the contractor can help you in creating a realistic budget. For instance, he can guide you in measuring every square foot of the roof so that you don’t buy excess materials or less than what is required. Besides that, the contractor can refer you to stores that sell materials at discounted rates. However, you should make sure you are hiring an experienced contractor that’s able to guarantee his work. By the rule of thumb, you should insist on seeing some of his previous projects. The contractor should also be insured. This goes a long way towards protecting you from unforeseen liabilities in case of an injury.
 
3. Shop around for Materials
 
Once you have gotten some insights from your roofing contractor, you should hit the ground running in search of the materials. You should actually compare the prices of various stores and settle for the one that matches with your budget. Since you are short of money, you should only buy what you can afford. This means that you don’t have to buy the materials at once. You can buy them in bits until they are enough for the project. For instance, if you intend to install a new roof in December, you can start buying the materials as early as January.
 
4. Timing is Everything
 
Timing is crucial in roofing repair. Most homeowners opt to repair their roofs during summer and summer. This means that roofers experience their pick season in the driest months of the year. You can cut back on your costs by buying the materials during winter. Since that’s when business gets slow for stores that trade in roofing materials, they will be more than willing to sell their merchandise at a slashed price, a deal that’s hardly available during the pick season.
 
5. Do Some Tasks Yourself
 
Although a roofing project is not for the fainthearted, there are still some things that you can do on your own. Since the roofers usually charge you for removing the old roof, you should consider doing the job yourself and save a few bucks. Fortunately, removing a roof is much easier than installing a new one. All you will need is a ladder, a hammer and crowbar. Once the old shingles are down, you can hand them over to a company that specializes in recycling metals. The good thing is that they will give you some money for every kilo of iron.