Your roof is leaking again. Maybe you got water stains on your ceiling last week during that heavy rain, or maybe your neighbor just pointed out that half your shingles are curled up like potato chips. Whatever brought you here, you probly need to figure out if its time for a new roof or if you can squeeze another year or two out of what you got. Call us today because waiting on roof problems only makes them worse and way more expensive to fix later.

I remember talking to a homeowner in the downtown area last summer who waited too long. She had a small leak near her chimney that she kept putting buckets under. By the time she called us, the water had rotted out half her decking and she had mold growing in her attic. What could of been a $8,000 roof replacement turned into a $15,000 nightmare because the structural damage was so bad.

What is a Roof Replacement?

Roof replacement is the process of completely removing all existing roofing materials—down to the roof deck—and installing a brand-new roofing system. A simple repair or a cheaper re-roofing overlay that adds shingles on top of old ones, a full replacement involves stripping everything off, including the shingles, underlayment, and flashings. This allows us to inspect and fix any hidden issues like rot, mold, or damaged decking before rebuilding your roof from scratch.

With a full replacement, you get upgraded underlayment, upgraded flashing, new shingles, and a stronger, longer-lasting roof. It’s not a patch or a quick cover-up—it's a complete reset for your home’s protection and long-term durability.

Most roofs in Bedford Heights last around 15 to 30 years, depending on the materials used. Asphalt shingles are the most common roof type in our area, but heavy snow, rain, and seasonal temperature changes can shorten a roof’s lifespan faster than many homeowners expect.

Your Roof Replacement Checklist: 7 Things to Know Before You Start

1.Know the Difference: Repair, Re-Roof, or Replacement

2.Common Roofing Materials and Their Costs

When people ask me how much a roof costs, I always say "it depends" because it really does. Your standard 3-tab asphalt shingles are the cheapest option - probly $3.50-$5.50 per square foot installed. Architectural shingles (the ones that look thicker and last longer) run about $4.50-$7.50 per square foot.

Want metal roofing? Your looking at $7-$12 per square foot, but that sucker will last 40-70 years. Slate and tile are beautiful but crazy expensive - $10-$25 per square foot, and your roof framing needs to be strong enough to hold all that weight.

Heres my opinion after doing this for years - for most homes, architectural shingles are the best bang for your buck. They look good, last 25-30 years if installed right, and they dont break the bank. Metal roofing is great if you plan to stay in your house forever and you got the budget for it.

The total cost of a roof replacement can vary significantly based on your roofing material, roof size, home location, and local labor rates. Below are some of the most commonly used roofing materials and their estimated price ranges, based on data from Modern BYLT, The Spruce, and RoofingCalculator.com:

The total cost of a roof replacement can vary significantly based on your roofing material, roof size, home location, and local labor rates. To get a better idea of your project’s potential cost, try our Roofing Cost Calculator — it helps you estimate your roof replacement cost by square foot and material type.

3. How to Start a Roof Replacement

certifications (GAF/Owens Corning), compare the full material and ventilation plan—not just price—and choose the roofer who communicates clearly and backs their work with a written warranty. Start smarter to avoid hidden costs and headaches when working with contractors.

• Collect 2–3 written estimates from licensed and insured local roofing companies, and request line-item pricing for materials, labor, and disposal.

• Ask about certifications (such as GAF or Owens Corning, trusted brands in Ohio), and confirm who handles permits and inspections.

• Verify insurance coverage by requesting proof of both general liability and workers’ compensation before signing anything.

• Compare the full scope of work, including the material type, ventilation plan, underlayment, ice-and-water shield coverage, and the cleanup process.

• Choose the contractor who communicates clearly, shows up as promised, answers questions in plain language, and offers a written workmanship warranty.

 4.Signs You Might Need a Roof Replacement

Here’s the stuff YICN Roofing checks first when we inspect a roof:

Sometimes it’s obvious, sometimes not. I remember one homeowner near Rockside Rd swore their roof was fine — until we found soft plywood under a “perfect-looking” shingle. Hidden rot is sneaky like that.

5. The Roof Replacement Process (Step by Step)

If you’re the kind of person who likes to know what’s going on before anyone climbs up there — here’s how we handle replacements at YICN Roofing:

1. Old Roof Tear-Off: We strip off all the old shingles, nails, and underlayment. For an average-sized home in Bedford Heights, this usually takes a day. We bring dumpsters so you don’t have to deal with the mess.

2. Deck Inspection and Repair: The plywood deck gets checked for rot or soft spots. We replace anything weak — no shortcuts. A solid base makes your roof last longer.

3. Underlayment and Flashing: We added waterproof underlayment and new flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys to block leaks. Think of this as the armor layer.

4. New Shingle or Material Install: We nail down new shingles (or metal/tile if you prefer) starting from the eaves and working upwards. Brands like GAF or Owens Corning work great in Ohio weather.

5. Clean-Up and Final Check: The crew cleans the yard, picks up stray nails with magnets, and we do a final walkthrough. City inspectors may drop by for a code check, too.

It’s noisy, sure, but most replacements are done in 1–3 days depending on roof size and weather.

6. How Long Does a Roof Replacement Take?

The actual installation is usually 1-3 days for a typical home with asphalt shingles. But the whole timeline from signing the contract to completion can take 2-4 weeks because of:

Permits – We gotta pull building permits which can take 1-2 weeks depending on how backed up the building department is.

Material Delivery – Sometimes there's a wait for materials, especially if you pick a specific color or style that's not in stock.

Weather – We can't install a roof in the rain or high winds. If the forecast looks bad, we'd reschedule rather than rush out and do a sloppy job.

Your Roof's Size – Big homes with complicated roofs require more time. There's no way around it.

I had one job last fall that should've taken 2 days but stretched to almost a week because we kept getting afternoon thunderstorms. Its frustrating, but we'd rather wait for good weather than compromise your roof quality.

7.Get a Clear, Comprehensive Warranty

Every roofing company talks about their warranties, but heres what they don't tell you clearly. Theres usually two warranties - one from the shingle manufacturer and one from the installation company.A replacement roof should come with two types of warranties — and understanding them is crucial:

• Manufacturer’s Material Warranty: Protects against roofing defects (usually 20–50 years).

• Workmanship Warranty: Covers quality workmanship from your contractor (typically 1–10+ years).

Manufacturer warranties sound great - "50 year warranty!" But read the fine print. Most of them are prorated, which means after 10 years they only cover like 60% of material cost, and they dont cover labor at all. By year 20, they might cover 20% of materials. Plus they got a million exclusions - improper ventilation, moss damage, hail damage, high winds above certain speeds, etc.

Installation warranties (workmanship warranties) are usually 5-10 years and they cover labor if we messed something up. This is actually more valuable than the manufacturer warranty because most roof problems come from bad installation, not bad shingles.

Ask about both warranties before you sign anything. Get it in writing. And take pictures of your roof right after its installed - helps if you ever need to make a warranty claim.

 Hire a Reputable and Insured Roofing Contractor

Your roof is a major investment — so choose wisely. Before hiring a contractor:

✅ Get Multiple Estimates: Compare at least two or three quotes. Extremely low bids may mean shortcuts. ✅ Verify Credentials: Ensure the contractor is licensed, insured, and carries workers’ compensation. ✅ Read Reviews: Check Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau ratings. ✅ Avoid scams: Be cautious of door-to-door offers, large cash deposits, or vague contracts. ✅ Confirm Warranty Details: Make sure both material and workmanship warranties are clearly stated in writing.

When you work with YICN Roofing, you get local professionals with verified credentials, transparent pricing. We are a well known local roofing company in Bedford Heights, parma , Akron, Lorain , Canton ,Solo, Medina, Mentor, Elyria , Strongsville , the greater Cleveland  and around  Northeast OH.

If you’re noticing leaks, missing shingles, or storm damage, now is the time to act. A quick inspection could save you thousands in repairs and prevent long-term structural issues.Not sure if you need a full replacement? Schedule a free roof inspection to detect hidden damage before deciding. Want a professional roof inspection or quote? Contact YICN Roofing for a free, no-pressure estimate.

👉 Schedule Your Free Roof Estimate Today! – Fast response – No obligation – Local, licensed & insured

📌 Serving Bedford Heights, Parma, Cleveland & Northeast Ohio 🛡️ Backed by: Material + workmanship warranties

We provide free, no-obligation inspections, transparent estimates, and fast, one-day roof installs backed by a 5-Year Labor Guarantee and 50-Year Owens Corning Warranty.

Wondering what a roof replacement will cost? Check our Roofing Cost Calculator to estimate by square foot—compare asphalt, metal, tile, and see how Northeast Ohio factors like pitch, materials, and labor impact price. .Then contact YICN Roofing for a free, no‑obligation estimate—we’ll verify your numbers, inspect your home, and help you choose the right roofing system.

Before you start your roof replacement project, it helps to know what to expect cost-wise. 👉 Read our Roofing Cost Calculator Guide. : Roofing Calculator – Estimate Your Roof Replacement Cost by Square Foot