Roof Repair Advice

I have a back porch that's about 8-10 ft. wide and about 20 ft. long. The roof is leaking badly and will need to be replaced. The flashing at the end was placed over the shingles allowing water to leak under and inside. The area around the jalousie windows may be ruined. Worst case scenario, ball park figure, is what I'm looking for. Also, any advice as far as what to look for and what to look out for? I was thinking a handyman would be cheaper than a roofer since some handymen do roofing too. Any advice welcome.

Denise from Woodbury, NJ

Answers:

Roof Repair Advice

Except for the possible problem with the jalousie windows it isn't too big a job. A ten foot by ten foot section is called a square and 3 bundles of shingles cover a square, so you can figure your material cost plus you should lay down an ice and water shield which is a rubber membrane that has an adhesive side that will adhere to the roof.

I don't know what your labor rates are but in my area the roofer gets $30 plus an hour. I would think a job such as yours would be about 3 or 4 days. I would talk to a roofer and explain your problem. Ask questions and then if you hire a handy man you can ask him how he will do the job. From the info from the roofer you will know if the handyman knows what he is doing. It would be expensive to have to do the job twice. Good luck. (07/07/2006)

By Dean

Roof Repair Advice

We have our own "handyman" that we hired to take care of our yard, house, and anything that needs to be attended to as my husband is a disabled vet. We pay him $10 an hour (trust me, he gets a lot done in an hour for us). This helps us and it helps him also as he needs the extra income for his family.

Good luck! Ask around at the senior centers or get someone at your place of worship. $10 under the table works out to be quite a hefty chunk of cash as if taxes were to be taken out its equivalent would be near $14 an hour.
(07/07/2006)

By Paula Jo Carr

Roof Repair Advice

You might need a building permit for this much re-construction. (07/11/2006)

By Holly