The Great Roofing Debate:
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Or How to Not Fall Off Your House
So, you’ve got a roof that’s looking a little... tired. Shingles are curling like they just heard bad news, there's a leak in the guest
bedroom that drips in Morse code, and now you’re staring at YouTube thinking, “How hard can it be?”
bedroom that drips in Morse code, and now you’re staring at YouTube thinking, “How hard can it be?”
And that, dear reader, is how every roofing horror story begins.
Today, we settle the debate: Should you roof your house yourself or call in the professionals?
Spoiler alert: ladders are taller than they look from the ground.
Option 1: DIY Roofing
(Also known as “We could totally do this in a weekend.”)
Let’s start with the romantic vision. You and a couple of buddies up there with matching tool belts, bonding over shingles and sweat. Maybe there’s a cooler of drinks waiting for you at the end. Maybe you save thousands.
Maybe. Or maybe you end up with a half-shingled roof, a pulled hamstring, and a GoFundMe for an ER visit.
Let’s start with the romantic vision. You and a couple of buddies up there with matching tool belts, bonding over shingles and sweat. Maybe there’s a cooler of drinks waiting for you at the end. Maybe you save thousands.
Maybe. Or maybe you end up with a half-shingled roof, a pulled hamstring, and a GoFundMe for an ER visit.
Pros of DIY Roofing:
- Cost Savings: You could save serious cash on labor — if you know what you’re doing.
- Bragging Rights: Nothing says “handy” like pointing at your house and saying, “Yeah, I did that.”
- Workout Included: Who needs a gym when you’re carrying bundles of shingles up a ladder?
Cons of DIY Roofing:
- Danger, Danger, High Voltage: Roofing is consistently ranked one of the most dangerous DIY projects. One bad step and it’s you vs. gravity.
- Skill Required: It’s not just “nail and repeat.” There’s flashing, underlayment, drip edge, and the fine art of not creating a skylight by accident.
- Time Suck: What you think is a weekend project could turn into “every Saturday from now until the next presidential election.”
- Warranty? What Warranty? Many shingle warranties are void if not installed by a certified pro. Oops.
Uncle Ron and the Great Roofing Catastrophe
My Uncle Ron once decided to reroof his shed. Seemed simple enough. Three hours in, he was stuck on the ridge yelling for Aunt Carol because he’d nailed his shoe to the roof and dropped the ladder.
They had to call the fire department. The shed still leaks.
Option 2: Hiring a Professional Roofer
(A.K.A. “Let’s let people with insurance handle this.”)
Professional roofers bring experience, equipment, and the kind of confidence that only comes from having installed a roof in 100-degree weather while eating a sandwich with one hand.
Pros of Hiring a Pro:
- Safety First: They’ve got harnesses, ladders, and that whole “not dying on your roof” thing down to a science.
- Quality Work: Pros know how to install everything properly, including flashing, vents, and the mystical underlayment.
- Speed: What takes you two weeks might take them two days.
- Peace of Mind: Warranties, permits, inspections—it’s all handled. You can go back to binging baking shows in peace.
Cons of Hiring a Pro:
- Higher Cost: Labor doesn’t come cheap — but then, neither does an ambulance ride.
- Less DIY Glory: You can’t tell people you did it—but you also won’t need to explain why water pours from your ceiling when it rains.
The Verdict: Should You Roof It Yourself?
If you're a seasoned DIYer with roofing experience, the right tools, plenty of free time, and a strong relationship with your insurance agent — go for it. But for most people? Hire the pros. Especially if:
- Your roof is steep or high.
- You’re unfamiliar with local codes and permits.
- You don’t want to age five years in one weekend.
Final Thoughts: Don't Gamble With Gravity
DIY roofing is one of those things that sounds like a great idea until you're sweating through your clothes, holding a shingle with one hand and Googling "how to install a drip edge" with the other.
Let the pros do what they do best: keep you safe, dry, and off the roof.