Boston Roof Installation

The climate in the Boston is one of the worst in the nation when it comes to roofing. Between hot, humid summers, long, wet winters, Nor'easters, offshore storms, coastal salt air, and even the occasional hurricane, roofing in Boston doesn't stand a chance. With all that punishment year in and year out, even the best roofs in Boston will eventually succumb to the elements. And when they do, it's time to invest in a new Boston roof installation.

What Causes Roofing to Fail in Beantown?
In a climate like Boston's, any number of factors can combine to do your roof in. If you're close to the harbor or other coastal areas, often it's the salt spray in the air that delivers the deciding blow, specifically by corroding the nails that hold your shingles in place (word to the wise—use stainless steel nails if your home sits by the sea. Even galvanized steel nails will corrode over time). Further inland, moisture is probably the biggest culprit.

Boston's high humidity, heavy precipitation rates, and high number of overcast and foggy days all take their toll and can cause shingles to curl, buckle, mildew, and rot. Poor attic ventilation can add to the problem as well, allowing for moisture to build up under the decking and shingles, and making the aforementioned issues even worse. Finally, factor into that the natural expansion and contraction that comes with freeze and thaw cycles, as well as high winds and heavy snows, and it's easy to see how shingles of any sort have limited life spans in The City on a Hill.

Boston Roof Installation Costs
We'll get more into the factors that affect the costs of roof installation in Boston here in a moment. For now, however, let's get straight to the nitty gritty. Contractors working within ServiceMagic's referral system have performed thousands of jobs in the Boston area over the years, and ServiceMagic follows up on each of those projects by asking the homeowner a few basic questions, including how much the job ended up costing, how long the job took to complete, and whether they have any advice to share with others who are staring down the barrel of a possible roof installation in Boston. Based on that information, you should expect an average Boston roof installation to run about $7,500. Small homes using lower grade materials can get a new roof for as little as $2,500, while larger homes top out on our list at $12,000. Fair warning, however. The majority of our figures are for asphalt shingle installations. If you're restoring a historic home using traditional materials like copper shingles, or are outfitting your newer home with high end roofing products such as concrete roofing tiles, you ought to expect to pay out even more.

Why Boston Roof Installation Costs Vary
How much you'll actually have to shell out for a new roof installation in Boston will vary a lot on the size of your home, its architecture, the circumstances surrounding your roof failure, and the roofing materials you settle on. For example, steeply pitched roofs and roofs with multiple gables, neither of which are uncommon in Boston's many Victorian, Federalist, and Colonial style homes, simply present more challenges to roofers and thus cost more, and take longer to complete, than a simple ranch home out in the burbs. It's the same with materials. Asphalt shingles come in a variety of styles and grades, though even the best of them is going to be cheaper than concrete tiles, metal roofing, or cedar shingles. And, finally, the cause of your roof failure can also be a factor. If hurricane force winds or a violent offshore storm do your roof in before its time, your insurance company is likely to pick up the majority of the bill. On the other hand, if father time is to blame, or if a non-environmental factor like poor attic ventilation causes your roofing to fail, you're probably going to have to drum up the entire cost of your Boston roof installation yourself.

What to Expect Timewise from a Boston Roof Installation
While $7,500 is nothing to laugh at when it comes to a roof installation in Boston, the time it will take for you new roof to be installed is sure to make you smile. Believe it or not, the average time to completion for a roof installation in Boston is only one to two days, and the longest we've recorded lasted less than a week. That's child's play compared to the months it takes to finish other large projects like major additions or kitchen remodels. Why the high turnover rate when it comes to a Boston roof installation? Roofing season in Boston, where once the cold sets in it stays in, is relatively short compared to other climates that experience Indian summers or even year-round warm temperatures. That being the case, roofing companies want to get your job done and move on to the next one as soon as possible. You might have to wait a week or two from when you put in your initial call to when the crew shows up at your home, but once they get started you'll be amazed at how quickly they hammer out (literally!) your new roof.

Some Parting Advice About Boston Roof Installation
If you thought Sam Malone had a bad reputation, wait until you begin to delve into the world of roofing contractors. More than just about any other profession in the contracting world, the roofing community has compiled a pretty dubious track record. All that being said, there are good, trustworthy roofing contractors in and around Boston for you to hire, and the best way to find them is by doing your homework. Get at least three bids on any roofing job so you can compare prices and promises, and always ask for, and check, references. And, of course, don't forget the benefits of using a contractor referral company to compile your list. ServiceMagic, for example, pre-screens its contractors and provides customer ratings for your perusal, giving you yet another way to ensure your roof installation in Boston goes off without a hitch.