The decision to change a roof pitch is an investment. Depending on the size of the house and a few other factors, some of which are listed below, it usually costs about $50 per square foot [1] to raise a roof. The return on that investment is substantial. Houses with high-pitched, cathedral-style roofs have considerable curb appeal. Plus, the extra space usually allows homeowners to transform their attic space, or at least part of it, into living space.
At Four Peaks Roofing, we do more than repair and replace roofs. We help homeowners maximize what they have. Many people want to raise their roofs because they want to sell their homes for more money. Others have growing families and need extra living or storage space. Whatever your reasons, our professional team quickly and efficiently does the work required.
Purpose of Changing the Pitch of a Roof
We touched on this topic above. Now, let’s break it down a little further. Most older homes have eight-foot ceilings. Recently built homes usually have nine-foot ceilings. So, a flat roof makes a home look dated, even if it was built recently.
To change a roof pitch and raise a roof for cosmetic purposes is probably the least expensive route. The dormer windows are usually blind windows (more on that below), the interior requires little or no work, and we can use cheaper materials for the new attic’s floor.
Additional storage projects are a bit more expensive. The new interior requires some finishing, and blind dormer windows alone might not be sufficient.
Living space projects might be the costliest projects. The materials must be stronger, and the dormer windows must be genuine. These projects also usually involve additional HVAC and plumbing work, something that’s part of all raise-the-roof projects.
Licensing/Permits
Many area municipalities require different licenses for different work. Depending on the project’s size, this license could cost between $400 and $2,000.
Dormer Windows
When they raise their roofs to change a roof pitch, most people want at least two dormer windows (roof windows), mainly depending on the square footage. These windows have an aesthetic and practical purpose.
Aesthetically, they draw eyes to the new and improved roof, which, in many cases, is a home’s best selling point. Furthermore, dormer windows are essential for living space. They illuminate the area with natural light and are usually necessary for code compliance. Most cities require sleeping areas to have at least one window.
The type of dormer window is a cost factor as well. At Four Peaks Roofing, our team installs a wide variety of dormer windows, such as:
- Blind (purely decorative dormers),
- Lucarne (Gothic dormers),
- Wall (face of the dormer is coplanar with – or shares the horizontal position of – the face of the wall below),
- Hip roof (three sloping planes that come together at the ridge, resembling a chimney) and
- Gable fronted (the most common kind of dormer window that resembles a doghouse).
We usually recommend one dormer window, either an actual window or a blind window, for every 500 square feet.
Existing Roof
All residential roofs require some preparation before our team changes the pitch. Some require a lot more preparation than others.
Before we discuss preparation, we should point out that many people want varying pitches. They usually wish to steep roofs above the home’s main living area and a shallower angle above the garage, or vice versa.
In all cases, our team must remove the existing overhang and most plywood above the rafters. This process leaves the home exposed. So, it’s essential for us to work quickly and during a long streak of dry weather, something that’s not a problem in Phoenix. Then, we frame and install the new roof.
Additionally, roof pitch alterations usually include chimney modifications. Depending on the job’s complexity, these costs could be between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars.
Cost of Labor and Materials
Large homes are very labor-intensive projects. We use larger crews to get the work done promptly, especially the initial work. Remember that our team must haul the old roofing materials to the dump or otherwise dispose of them.
The cost of materials might be the most significant factor, other than the square footage. In a nutshell, most homeowners can choose between materials like wood shingles with a lower initial cost and high maintenance costs or a metal roof with a higher installation cost yet is basically maintenance-free. Furthermore, metal roofs last much longer than many other materials.
Contact us today to begin planning your raise-the-roof project.
