Most people don’t often think about their roof until it springs a leak. You don’t have to wait until water begins to pour through the ceiling to think about roof repairs. Always have a professional roofer routinely inspect your roof for signs of damage and propose preventive maintenance measures before the minor damages escalate into costly repairs or roof replacements. In this article, we look at what contributes to your roof repair costs and whether or not you can claim roof repair costs on taxes.
Types of Repairs Your MO Roof Might Need
To determine what kind of repair your roof needs, your roofer will carry out a thorough roof inspection to assess the damage and recommend the best repair solution. Simple repairs are often enough to extend the life of your roof. But if the damage is too extensive to warrant repair, you may have to consider a total roof replacement.
Here are some common components of your roof that may need repairs:
- Flashing
- Chimney
- Valleys
- Shingles, tiles, and metal sheets
- Ridge Vents, or other venting fixtures
- Skylights
- Membrane or underlayment
- Seams
If these roof components begin to deteriorate and allow in precipitation, it’s important to have them repaired as early as possible to prevent further damage to your home. However, depending on the age of your roof and the severity of the damage, sometimes it’s cost-effective to do a roof replacement. For asphalt shingles, you can expect your roof to last 15-30 years. If your roof is closely approaching its 20-years or more, replacing it could be a better way to go long-term.
The Cost of Roof Repair
So, how much will roof repair cost? In most cases, the question is not whether to repair or not repair a roof – it’s whether the cost of repairing a roof is worth doing now or waiting. However, once water begins trickling overhead, your focus should be to fix the leak as soon as possible.
Several factors will contribute to the cost of repairing a roof. They include:
- How long the repair job will take – Less experienced roofers may conceivably finish a repair job for less cost, but chances are, they’ll miss some of what actually needs repair. Experienced roofers will take their time to thoroughly inspect your roof and identify all repair needs, helping you save money in the long run.
- The extent of damage – A severely damaged roof will cost more to repair based on the number of roofing components which need to be replaced – as well as the time it will take the roofing contractor to accomplish the job.
- Material – Different roofing materials require varying levels of expertise and equipment. Replacing a few damaged shingles may cost less than replacing leaking tiles or a section of metal roofing.
- Workmanship warranty – You can rest assured your roof will last longer and you won’t need the same repair done twice. A professional roofing contractor will back their work with a workmanship warranty.
- Safety requirements – The steeper your roof is the more safety measures, special skills, and tools will be required. Your roofing contractor will also take into account insurance and certification requirements for its workers.
Overall, you need to work with a local roofer who understands your area and its associated roofing challenges. These roofers have established strong relationships with local roofing material suppliers, giving them leeway to bargain cheaper rates and pass down the cost-saving to you.
Roof Repairs and Tax Deductions
You’ve probably wondered whether or not you can claim roof repair on taxes. If you use your home purely as a personal residence, you can’t obtain tax benefits from roof repairs. While you cannot deduct the costs now, save your receipts for documentation should you ever sell your home.
Home improvement projects are treated differently than a roof repair or replacement and can benefit from tax deductions. Home improvement means you are adding value to your home or adapting it for new purposes, such as adding handicapped accessibility or a new deck. Examples of repairs include patching a leaky roof, fixing gutters, repainting your roof or siding, fixing leaks, and replacing broken windows. As far as taxes are concerned, roof repairs don’t qualify until you sell your home. Talk with your tax professional to learn the details which pertain to your area and situation.
If you’re looking for a top Kansas City roofing company, Bill West Roofing is your ultimate choice. We specialize in roof repair, roof replacement, exteriors, and gutter installation. You can count on us for fair, affordable estimates for all your roofing needs in Lee Summit, MO. Contact us today for a no-obligation quote for your roofing repairs.