The key was planning ahead while the roof was open anyway. If you’re already tearing things up, sometimes it’s easier (and cheaper) to do it all at once rather than patching later.
That’s spot on. If you’re considering solar tubes, integrating them during a re-roof is way less hassle. You avoid cutting into new shingles later, and flashing is simpler since you’re already working on the underlayment. Just double-check your rafter layout—sometimes you need to tweak placement to dodge wiring or HVAC runs. Had to nudge mine over a few inches because of a surprise vent pipe... not a big deal, but worth mapping out first.
TITLE: Need Advice On Replacing An Old Leaky Roof
Couldn’t agree more about getting as much done as possible while the roof’s already open. I learned that the hard way a few years back—paid for a basic re-roof, then ended up shelling out again when I decided to add a vent and some extra insulation. Kicking myself for not just biting the bullet and doing it all at once. It’s not just about the labor, either. Every time you open things up again, you’re risking leaks or messing up the warranty.
If you’re on a tight budget (which, let’s be real, most of us are), it’s tempting to only fix what’s broken. But honestly, it usually costs less in the long run to plan ahead—even if it stings a bit upfront. Solar tubes, extra vents, or even just better underlayment—way easier and cheaper now than patching later. Plus, contractors seem to charge more for “small jobs” after the fact... at least that’s been my experience.
One thing I’d add: watch out for upsells. Some roofers will push “premium” everything when you mention upgrades. Not all of it’s worth it—sometimes the mid-range stuff does the job just fine. I did my own research and pushed back on a few things, saved a couple grand that way.
Mapping out what’s under your roof is huge too. I had no clue how much random stuff was running through my attic until we started poking around. Ended up moving a solar tube over because of an old cable line nobody uses anymore... but hey, better to find out before cutting holes.
Anyway, if you’re replacing a leaky roof, think about what else you might want to do up there. Even if it feels like a stretch, it could save some serious cash (and headaches) down the road.
You’re spot-on about the “do it all while it’s open” approach. I’ve managed a few projects where owners tried to cut corners—just patching leaks or replacing only the visible damage. Nine times out of ten, they end up paying more over the next couple years. Especially when you factor in labor mobilization costs and those inevitable surprises hiding under old shingles.
One thing I’d push back on a little: sometimes those mid-range materials can end up costing more long-term if you’re in a harsh climate or have a complicated roofline. I’ve seen folks regret not going with better underlayment or proper flashing, especially on older homes with weird angles or valleys. Not saying you always need top-shelf, but it’s worth running the numbers on life expectancy and warranty coverage versus upfront price.
Curious—has anyone here actually done a full attic insulation upgrade during a re-roof? I keep seeing mixed advice about whether it’s worth coordinating both jobs at once, or if it just complicates the schedule. In my experience, trades sometimes get in each other’s way, but maybe that’s just on bigger builds. Would be good to know if folks with older homes found it worthwhile.
Also, did anyone run into issues with existing electrical or HVAC lines when adding vents or solar tubes? I’ve had contractors complain about “hidden surprises” slowing them down, but I’m never sure how much of that is just padding the bill versus legitimate delays.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
You’re right about the long-term costs of patchwork repairs—it’s almost always more expensive in the end, especially once you factor in repeated labor and the hassle of ongoing disruptions. I’ve seen too many folks regret not just biting the bullet and doing it right the first time.
On the insulation question, I’ve coordinated attic upgrades during re-roofs on a few older homes. It can get messy with trades overlapping, but if you’ve got good communication and a clear schedule, it’s doable. The big advantage is you don’t have to disturb the new roof later to add insulation or ventilation. That said, it’s not always a slam dunk—sometimes access is still tricky, especially if there’s knob-and-tube wiring or old ductwork in the way. I’d say it’s worth considering if your attic’s under-insulated, but only if your contractor is comfortable managing both scopes at once.
As for running into electrical or HVAC surprises, that’s a real thing—especially in houses that have seen a few decades of “creative” upgrades. I wouldn’t call it padding the bill so much as bracing for the unknown. Sometimes you open up a section and find a mess of wires or a duct where nobody expected it. Just part of working on older homes, I guess.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
That reminds me of when I pulled up some old decking and found a tangle of wires just stuffed between the joists—no rhyme or reason. Made me rethink my whole timeline. Did you ever have to reroute anything major, like HVAC or plumbing, during a re-roof? Curious how folks handled that without blowing the budget.
