Homeowner Guide

# DIY vs. Professional Roof Replacement: How to Decide

July 16, 2025·5 min read·By IronWrap Team

Every spring we get calls from homeowners asking the same question: 'Can I just do this myself?' For minor patch repairs on simple gable roofs, the answer is sometimes yes. For a full replacement — particularly if you're upgrading to metal — the honest answer is almost always no. Here's how we think about it.

## When DIY makes sense

- Replacing 2–3 missing asphalt shingles after a windstorm.
- Caulking a chimney flashing where the seal has cracked.
- Replacing a damaged plumbing-vent boot collar.
- Cleaning gutters and downspouts.

These are 1–2 hour tasks, the materials cost less than $50, and the consequence of getting it slightly wrong is a small leak you'll catch on the next inspection. As long as you can get on the roof safely with a harness, these are reasonable weekend jobs.

## When DIY does not make sense

Full roof replacement is a different category. The risks are real: a slip from a steep pitch can be fatal, and we've seen homeowners spend $8,000 on materials only to install them in a way that voids the warranty. Even when the install 'looks fine,' the issues show up two winters later when ice damming or condensation has wrecked the underlayment.

### Metal-specific risks

- Standing seam panels expand and contract — they need floating clips, not solid screws. DIY installs usually skip this and the seams telegraph stress within five years.
- Underlayment selection matters more on metal than on asphalt. Use the wrong product and you get condensation in the attic.
- Custom flashings need to be brake-formed on-site for chimneys, valleys, and parapets. Off-the-shelf flashings rarely fit.
- Most manufacturer warranties (50-year non-prorated) require certified installation. DIY voids them.

## The math

On an asphalt re-roof, DIY can save 30–40% of the cost. On a metal re-roof, the labour share is much smaller because materials are most of the cost, the installer warranty is essential, and the risk of a $20,000 mistake is much higher. Most homeowners who DIY metal end up calling us within five years to redo the work.

> We don't say this to drum up business — we say it because we've redone a lot of DIY metal roofs, and the redo always costs more than just hiring it out the first time.

## If you're going to DIY, do this

If after all this you still want to DIY, get a written quote from a professional first as a benchmark. If your DIY savings are less than 25% of the professional cost, the math is rarely worth the risk. And if the manufacturer requires certified install for the warranty, walk away from DIY entirely — that warranty is half the value of the roof.

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