The Cost Of New Roofing Rising Through The Roof
When the Associated Press reported in May 2009 “Homeowners face rising roofing costs,” it was just another stab in the back to already cash-strapped Americans. On the heels of a harsher than normal winter, these homeowners were faced with a tough decision: ignore their leaky roofs and hope for the best or dig themselves deeper into debt and replace their faulty roofing before it escalates into a disaster.
The AP article pointed in particular to asphalt shingles as the culprit behind this precipitous rise in new roofing costs. Indeed, according to the fedearl Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index, “The price of asphalt shingles, which cover the vast majority of houses in the United States, rose 57.5 percent from March 2008 to this March.” That means that a roof repair that cost a homeowner $3,000 last spring would now set him or her back a staggering $4,725. Hello, new roof; bye bye, summer vacation.
What’s puzzling about this scenario is that it can no longer be blamed on the rising petroleum costs that bore the brunt of last year’s roofing increases. In fact, gas and oil prices are actually down signficantly from 2008 levels and the lingering effect from last year’s increases are minimal. This year, instead, it’s a classic ecomonics texbook case of supply and demand: “Manufacturers said shingle prices rose in March because of an asphalt shortage. Asphalt is most in demand for roadwork, and government attempts to revive the struggling economy include an infusion of money for roads.”
Other factors are also increasing the demand for asphalt shingles. “In addition, hurricanes, hail and other roof-damaging weather can drive demand for shingles up rapidly.” Where does this leave homeowners who need a new roof now? “The bottom line is that homeowners shouldn’t expect bargains on new roofs, even as home values and the overall demand for housing renovations have plummeted,” the article concludes.
It’s not all doom and gloom for these needy homowners, however. If they opt for “certain energy-saving reflective asphalt shingles,the federal government is offering a tax credit of up to $1,500 through 2010.” For those individuals who can’t put off a roof replacement until the shortage corrects itself, there are other ways of protecting their costs. Those individuals should think of their new roof as an investment.
Topping that list is finding a roofing contractor with a longstanding reputation for excellence. Word travels quickly in the small circles of the building world, so it shouldn’t be hard to narrow down the roofing company of choice in your area. Also, look for quantity in addition to quality. A roofing company that completes more than 1,000 new roofs per year obviously has the expertise and track record to make your investment a worthwhile one.
And don’t overlook credentials. Your chosen roofing contractor should be fully licensed by your state and local governments (if required) and insured. Finally, don’t fall for a fly-by-night operation for the sake of saving a few bucks. By applying a solid work ethic, service and family values to the individual homeowner, an established roof company stands above all other roofing contractors in this here-today, gone-tomorrow industry.
Watch this video about license roofing contractor
Please help to answer the question about license roofing contractorif you used to work for a contractor how do you file a complaint?
how do you file a complaint regarding overcharging customers, using illegal immigrants, and also where do i check his history with his license. like for example with overcharging customers he will tell a homeowner that her roof is 55 squares and its really 45 squares and charge her for 55. and also deducting money amount off of paychecks and not giving authority from the employee with regarding roof leaks and cost to have repaired by differ employee when the employer is the one who offers the warantees.
About Author
Tom Schlund is Projects Manager for Franciscus Roofing, a Cleveland roofer. For more information on choosing a roofing contractor, visit the Franciscus website, http://www.franciscusroofing.com.
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April 14th, 2011 | by roofing contractor |
By lisaclara on Mar 3, 2010
A gallon of milk will run you about $7 to $8 if you get it regular price. It goes for about $5 – $6 on sale. Those are grocery store prices.
Sam's Club or Costco is a bit cheaper at $4/gallon.
You're right about the price of everything rising to reflect that rising transportation costs though. EVERYTHING is going up in price including our gas.
Hope that helps you……..
By jdm_081 on Mar 3, 2010
Agree!
By Business Loan Rates on Mar 3, 2010
wow
By Auto Loan Finance on Mar 3, 2010
holy shit ur awesome i wish i had ur talent keep up that good work/natacha
By Nick S on Mar 4, 2010
It is completely unfixable..
The current presidential race is a joke, and I really am not going to vote.. I don´t want either of them.
Our wars and unwinnable and we actually can´t get out either as many of the Islamic people are completely unstable. The middle east has always been fighting, but they never had airplanes & missles before let alone nuclear weapons..
We will shortly have to deal with Iran and that could provoke a serious war. Also the US can not afford another war at the moment..
I could go on and on, but the truth is that there are no fixes and no heros to fix it.
As a Christian I see this as the result of the US and world in general leaving God out of their lives and Govt. The US is doing everything to take God out of the country and the consequences are serious..
There are two options that I see:
1. This is a depression and we have to tough it out.
2. This is the end of the age and God is going to take back his planet and we will soon be living in the book of Revelation.
There are actually fixes, but there are no leaders that will bring them about.
Do you know that in Mexico the Govt has the price of gas frozen and there is not a crisis. It is $2.80 a gallon US, and food has risen some but not to the point it has in the US.
Mexico has also taken steps to feed their poor in the coming food shortage. Yes, and this is a 3rd world country?
For once then Mexico is a jump ahead of the others..
By Secure Finance Business on Mar 4, 2010
can’t believe it’s drawn out of nothing, could be a photography!
By Small Business Investment on Mar 4, 2010
*sub*
By _ on Mar 5, 2010
WOW. I'm really sorry to hear you have to go through all of that .
Well , its never good to live in in laws, and with that note family .
Having family too close ( other than your own , meaning your husband and kids) always causes problems in relationships, the best you could do is A). Ignore the bragging and go along with it , you know , amuse yourself , its a lot healthier to laugh about it and poke fun at it than angering yourself and potentially mess up your health. anyways , sooner or later she will realize how ridiculous she sounds and what a fool she is making out of her self.
It sucks that your husband doesn't stand behind you on this , but guys that are really close to their mothers are usually like that , my boyfriend for example … His family could talk all the smack in the world about me , and i bet you he would not explode and tell them off over it , he would find a way in which i would have to deal with it myself it sucks … but its just how it is …
Well i really wish you luck.. and don't anger yourself so much , shes not worth it .
take care!
By Construction Loan Finance on Mar 4, 2010
whoa!!it looks like a PICTURE!
ur an amazing painter!:D
By Business Loan Rates on Mar 5, 2010
Great talent Der Mann.
By The Doctor. on Mar 5, 2010
(First of all, people who critique your grammar and spelling should really check their own!)
Your is an elaborate story but, like everyone else has indicated, it seems to meander along to some unknown destination. In other words, where is the story going? What is the message?
It seems to me that you could use this as a good start to getting your words on paper-but not as a finished product.
Sometimes it helps to disect your work paragraph by paragraph–take a close look at the point of view and make adjustments accordingly. Do you think this might work for you as a "diary" of sorts??
Best,
Pamela Tyree Griffin, Editor of
http://joyfulonline.net
http://theshinejournal.com
By Loan Mortgage on Mar 5, 2010
Incredible! He looks so life like. Just amazing…and what a beautiful subject
By All Finance Direct on Mar 6, 2010
Excellent work. Pleasure to watch. Perfect music
))
By Victimcrats on Mar 6, 2010
Politicians will do and say anything to get elected. Lying their fat faces off is the most common tactic. People buy into the hype and bullsh*t then elect a clown into office.