Buying a house that needs work. Need to know about how much peeps pay for a roof and replacement windows?

katie l: Buying a house that needs work. Need to know about how much peeps pay for a roof and replacement windows?
I can’t afford much more than a house that needs work. Not afraid of that at all, except windows and roof. What kind of prices should I expect if I want replacement windows or roof repairs. I don’t want a get down estimate, I don’t own a house yet. Just want an idea what other peeps have paid so I know if I’m making a bad decision or not. Thanks!

Answers and Views:

Answer by Butterfly Lover
This is an almost impossible question to answer because there are too many variables, such as labor rate where you live, types of materials you would need (tin roof, shingle, slate, tile? Flat roof, shed roof, gable roof, mansard?)

You would do well to go to a local home improvement center and ask material prices and they may be able to give you ballpark labor costs too.

Answer by Kare_bear_
As far as the roof estimates would start with:
-if you needed the entire roof torn off & re-done
-if there was 1 roof or 2 (if they previously re-layed the new roof over the old).
-& of course how big & type of materials used/wanted

Now the windows would start with:
-how many needed to be replaced
-the size of the windows
-the type of window (vinyl or alumiunm) plus…trim or no trim.

I have a single family home with a slanted roof. I got an estimate for 5 thousand for a new roof.

I already had the windows replaced for 12 thousand. (18 large windows, 2 frosted) They’re all double hung vinyl windows with the trim done. (thank god we have a LIFE TIME WARENTY, that is transferable)

Good Luck!

Answer by Gosh
I shopped around and found an out of work roofer, actually two of them. If using a “regular” roofing company get at least four bids. The difference in cost could be thousands of dollars!

Be smart and tough. NOBODY gets paid except by prior arrangement. Pay the day workers after the completion of the day, or every two or three days. Do NOT pay in advance. Do NOT pay for crappy work. The workers must use guidelines across the roof so that roll roofing or individual pieces are laid straight.
Do NOT pay somebody to go and buy the materials before starting roof. Do NOT pay in advance. Day workers can come in, tear off the existing roof materials, get money, go away and NEVER come back!
DO get a permit from your local building department. DO contact your homeowners association before starting work. We had a neighbor who had to tear off and re-do an entire roof because our neighbor hood has shake roofs and she out on a fibreglas shingle roof!

DO hold back money from your workers until the roof passes inspection. The workers have no reason to keep coming back if they are paid up to date.

DO NOT keep a guy working on your job if that person flakes out. I had one college student that sat on his butt, turned around and knocked a few roofing nails in when he felt like it. Duh! Had to run him off! It has been ten years. My roof is holding up wonderfully well. I saved thousands of dollars.

Answer by R W
Not to scare you but I paid $ 2500 for windows and $ 5400 for a metal roof….remember a house is a money pit

Answer by kaimanu628
best thing to do is contact the BBB and find contractors that do free estimates for the work you would like done, get multiple estimates though because the contractors will battle each other to get the contract and that alone can save money and possibly get excellent building materials for the project