If you are a “Do it Yourself” kind of person, you may have saved thousands on specific home projects. But when it comes to your roof, the ‘DIY’ mentally may bring more trouble than it could save. There are a lot of factors to consider before you even step foot on your roof. With any roofing project, it is always in your best interest to call a professional, but if you’re dying to give it a project a try, there may be a couple of things to consider first.
DO’s
- Do consider safety. Your safety should be the number one priority, especially when working from heights. No project is worth the after-effects that can come after a fall. Even if the project is small, a fall protection kit (consisting of a harness, rope, etc.) is a great thing to have as a safety net.
- Do think about the size of the project. If you’re fixing a couple of shingles, a DIY project may be in your best interest cost-wise. But if the project seems to be more than a few shinglings and screws, your roof may need to be professionally fixed.
- Do find the root of the problem. To fix a problem, you must know where it originated—understanding the problem and how to fix it beforehand can help you avoid not fixing your roof at all or causing more damage.
- Do your research and prepare with suitable materials. Every project is different; some roofs may need particular materials to fix the issue. Before you climb that ladder, make sure you are familiar with the project or contact a contractor for further help and information.
DON’Ts
- Don’t assume you will be saving as much as you think. With the amount of time, labor and the cost of materials, you may not be saving as much as you would hope. With any significant home construction, there is also always a chance of botching your roof, leading to more costs in damages.
- Don’t think you can do it faster than the professionals. Even though getting a contractor out to your home and a roofing team on a schedule can be a pain, it may be much faster than attempting to do it yourself. Roofing companies have tools at hand and have the experience of handling any unexpected complications. Trying to tackle a project by yourself can cause weeks or months of delay, periods of time that can only worsen the problem.
- Don’t think it will look as good as a professional job. Sometimes with at-home projects, you can’t get it to look just right. A professional’s job is fixing a roof that keeps your home’s aesthetic glow. A couple of flukes in installation, and it can make your home stand out, but not in the way you intended.
- Don’t attempt to do it by yourself. Physical labor plays a massive role in construction; the more hands, the more helpful it is. As mentioned before, safety is your number one priority; getting as much help as needed is encouraged, especially before attempting a big roofing project.
Needing a specific project done to your roof? It is highly suggested to contact a professional before attempting to do it yourself. Keep your safety in mind and avoid the chaos of any potential problems that can arise with a DIY project. Give us a call (813) 643-8333 or click this link to request a free quote.