| When the Associated Press reported in May 2009 | | | | for shingles up rapidly." Where does this leave |
| "Homeowners face rising roofing costs," it was | | | | homeowners who need a new roof now? "The |
| just another stab in the back to already | | | | bottom line is that homeowners shouldn't expect |
| cash-strapped Americans. On the heels of a | | | | bargains on new roofs, even as home values and |
| harsher than normal winter, these homeowners | | | | the overall demand for housing renovations have |
| were faced with a tough decision: ignore their | | | | plummeted," the article concludes. |
| leaky roofs and hope for the best or dig | | | | It's not all doom and gloom for these needy |
| themselves deeper into debt and replace their | | | | homowners, however. If they opt for "certain |
| faulty roofing before it escalates into a disaster. | | | | energy-saving reflective asphalt shingles,the |
| The AP article pointed in particular to asphalt | | | | federal government is offering a tax credit of up |
| shingles as the culprit behind this precipitous rise in | | | | to $1,500 through 2010." For those individuals who |
| new roofing costs. Indeed, according to the | | | | can't put off a roof replacement until the shortage |
| fedearl Bureau of Labor Statistics' Producer Price | | | | corrects itself, there are other ways of protecting |
| Index, "The price of asphalt shingles, which cover | | | | their costs. Those individuals should think of their |
| the vast majority of houses in the United States, | | | | new roof as an investment. |
| rose 57.5 percent from March 2008 to this | | | | Topping that list is finding a roofing contractor |
| March." That means that a roof repair that cost a | | | | with a longstanding reputation for excellence. |
| homeowner $3,000 last spring would now set him | | | | Word travels quickly in the small circles of the |
| or her back a staggering $4,725. Hello, new roof; | | | | building world, so it shouldn't be hard to narrow |
| bye bye, summer vacation. | | | | down the roofing company of choice in your area. |
| What's puzzling about this scenario is that it can | | | | Also, look for quantity in addition to quality. A |
| no longer be blamed on the rising petroleum costs | | | | roofing company that completes more than 1,000 |
| that bore the brunt of last year's roofing | | | | new roofs per year obviously has the expertise |
| increases. In fact, gas and oil prices are actually | | | | and track record to make your investment a |
| down signficantly from 2008 levels and the | | | | worthwhile one. |
| lingering effect from last year's increases are | | | | And don't overlook credentials. Your chosen |
| minimal. This year, instead, it's a classic ecomonics | | | | roofing contractor should be fully licensed by your |
| texbook case of supply and demand: | | | | state and local governments (if required) and |
| "Manufacturers said shingle prices rose in March | | | | insured. Finally, don't fall for a fly-by-night operation |
| because of an asphalt shortage. Asphalt is most in | | | | for the sake of saving a few bucks. By applying a |
| demand for roadwork, and government attempts | | | | solid work ethic, service and family values to the |
| to revive the struggling economy include an | | | | individual homeowner, an established roof |
| infusion of money for roads." | | | | company stands above all other roofing |
| Other factors are also increasing the demand for | | | | contractors in this here-today, gone-tomorrow |
| asphalt shingles. "In addition, hurricanes, hail and | | | | industry. |
| other roof-damaging weather can drive demand | | | | |