When it comes to heights, confidence is key. Sure, we’ve all had the confidence to climb a tree or two... But climbing onto a roof, navigating the slopes and ridges, all while focused on an unfamiliar, challenging craft is just as it seems—difficult and complex. As HomeAdvisor once said:
“Roofing is a lot like making a milkshake: there are not that many ingredients, and the chore itself seems simple, but to make a really good one, you need to know what you are doing.”
The irony in that metaphor is that a bad milkshake can be thrown away, but you have to live with a shoddy roof—or potentially pay more money to fix the error than it would have originally cost to hire a professional. Let’s explore the benefits and risks of DIY vs hiring a contractor.
Do It Yourself (DIY)
It would be wrong to assume that some roofing jobs cannot be completed by knowledgeable and brave homeowners. With the right tools and decent balance, you could complete minor repair projects. But what tasks are considered ‘minor?’ Ultimately this question is dependent on roofing knowledge and experience. Minor repair jobs can vary from replacing a shingle or two to renewing old caulk, but even the most experienced and skilled roofer can make mistakes. When contemplating larger areas of roofing damage, there are some factors to consider before deciding DIY is the best way to go. Let’s explore some common, well-intentioned DIY mistakes that could potentially end up costing you more than you save.
Causing More Harm than Good
While inspecting a roof, even walking on flashing or certain weakened shingles could cause more damage and create leaks that even the most skilled DIYer can't fix. You may even find that the issue is not surface level, and the damage lies with the timber in the deck framing.
Your roof is a dangerous place. Without the proper shoes, equipment, knowledge and precautions, there is a serious probability for injury or death. This is one of the main reasons MRN Contracting offers free, no-obligation roof inspections. Let our skilled roof specialists do the hard work—at no cost to you.
It's because of these unforeseen problems that many people, even those who know what they're doing, leave it to the professionals. We recommend you speak with a professional for an expert opinion on the complexity of your repair before doing it yourself.
Hire a Contractor
Professional and experienced roof technicians have intrinsic knowledge, skills and intuition that beginners lack. They are also often equipped with the right tools, training and liability insurance in the event that an accident occurs. The advantage of warranty should also be considered. Even small patchwork repairs may impact the overall health of your roof. If your attempted repair proves to be ineffective, it's likely that your previously warrantied labor (if any) and roofing material is now void. Circling back around, you’re now having to hire a contractor to fix your error, without warranty—spending more money in the long run. Additionally, hiring a contractor typically expands your warranty, so you can rest easy knowing any future issues are taken care of. Hiring MRN Contracting for any and all of your roofing needs will ensure that:
We all have our specialties. Yours might be parenting, running a business, or fighting fires. Ours, however, is providing the best quality over your head. So let us do the dirty work, before winter gets in the way of what we do best.