home improvement help/advice needed - any handy people?

I don't even know who to ask or where to search for this answer, so I hope someone can help. I'm hoping someone is knowledgeable or has a contractor hubby or generally handy guy that knows

Okay, so my husband and I set aside some money for some much needed home improvement. We have several projects that need to be done, but not the money to do everything. So we need to figure out how to prioritize the projects. There is probably an order in which to do these projects so we need advice on that. So here is what needs to be done.

1. Roof - no leaks but my husband thinks it needs a new layer of shingles. (only one layer currently) I think it might just need to be cleaned.
2. Gutters - gutters are basically falling off. This is necessary before winter.
3. Exterior Paint - we definitely need new paint, but we could probably do it ourselves in the spring to save money. However we do have some rotten boards that need replacement professionally. Don't even know who to call for that.
4. Deck - it is pretty important to replace. Boards are very soft and rotting in places. Our deck is just 6-8 inches off the ground so we'd be open to other replacements such as concrete tiles, etc, if it is cheaper and/or nicer.

We guess that we can afford 3 of the projects, so sadly we have to wait on something. So if anyone knows in which order to do the projects, we'd be grateful for the advice. I just hate to call for quotes because I think every contractor I'd call would say their services are the most important. So some outside advice would be awesome. Thanks in advance!

Of the 3...I'd say the gutters (since you say it's very important)...ummm...then the roof (though I've never heard of layers of shingles...don't they just rip them off and put on a new set?). Though if you're hiring someone to do it, they might do the shingles and gutters together - I'd guess they're both under the same category of "roofing".

Then I'd say the deck...especially if it would be a safety issue, like someone falling through a board or something.

Painting the house would probably be the cheapest and easiest job of all of them, so if it's mostly just a cosmetic thing, I'd hold off on it.

I'm with Bree... the gutters, first... if they are in bad shape, it's not taking the water away from the house and you could have more problems of the water seeping into the basement/under the house. My parents have always been against putting on a second layer of shingles, or the first layer isn't fully attached and water seep in... granted it's cheaper, but if their is a "soft" spot under the first layer that you don't know about, then the cost is up there for fixing cause of two layers... and then end costing more to replace two layers vs. replacing the current layer to begin with...

As for who to talk too... you could try to find someone who looks like they know what they are talking about at a Home Depot or a Lowes.. that is what my hubby does... he usually talks to different people and see if their "stories" jive with one another...

thanks for the advice! We aren't opposed to tearing off the roof shingles to put all new on. I'd love to hear the pros and cons of just adding shingles. If the roofing makes the final list then we'll certainly ask the roofing people what options we have.

Keep the info coming!!

Julie - how old are the shingles? That will really determine the issue. The other option is to get estimates from roofing contractors to see how they look at the roof. You only are asking an estimate on how much it costs, and whether it's a couple of spots or a complete reroofing that needs to be done. The other option is to hire a home inspector like they use for selling a home and get his opinions on the jobs and if they are as necessary as you think. It's a $200 investment for some peace of mind (at least that's what we paid about 8 years ago when we bought this house).

Doing the roof is hard work. I've done two in my day and it was hard, hard work.

Depending on where your rotten boards are, you can replace that easily and paint the house yourself. And it doesn't have to be done in one fell swoop the way roofing the house does.

I'd seriously look at engineered wood for your deck replacement. It's more expensive than using lumber, but it holds up a lot longer with less maintenance in the long run. It's really nice stuff and you can do it yourself so easily.

A roofing contractor can give you an estimate on doing the roof and the gutters & they make make different suggestions about how to go. I don't remember shingles being layered on our old home, the old layer was ripped up and replaced. Where are boards rotted on the sides? If it is near the bottom it could be signs of a bigger problem, like water rot or bugs and be more invasive than you realize. I'd get a contractor to come look at it just to be sure. If it's nothing then it's easy enough to replace yourself.

We have a concrete tile patio and an engineered lumber deck. We built both ourselves & they cam together very easily but it was heavy lifting labor & tiring. They are both very easy to care for. no staining or sealing or anything on the deck.

juliebee70 said:

thanks for the advice! We aren't opposed to tearing off the roof shingles to put all new on. I'd love to hear the pros and cons of just adding shingles. If the roofing makes the final list then we'll certainly ask the roofing people what options we have.

Keep the info coming!!

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If you're going to tear off the shingles to put on new ones- you'll probably also have to replace the felt underneath too. The felt itself is pretty cheap to buy, but it's all tough work. We just hired some of the local roofers who gave us a great deal because they're also friends of ours. We paid about $4000 total if I remember right.

if I were you I'd try to get the roof & gutters done before winter, and wait for the painting and the deck to be done in the spring.

rachaelsscraps said:

If you're going to tear off the shingles to put on new ones- you'll probably also have to replace the felt underneath too. The felt itself is pretty cheap to buy, but it's all tough work. We just hired some of the local roofers who gave us a great deal because they're also friends of ours. We paid about $4000 total if I remember right.

if I were you I'd try to get the roof & gutters done before winter, and wait for the painting and the deck to be done in the spring.

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Oh I have definitely heard of "layers" of shingles on a roof...in fact more times than hearing someone only had 1 layer! We had hail damage on our roof and got it replaced this year (thank you insurance!)...but the $$ depends on the pitches on your roof and such (type of shingles, etc.)...we also had the facia (spelling?) boards wrapped and new gutters put on...I seem to think it was $6,000ish.

I agree on waiting on the painting and deck...you could end up with some major repair bills if your roof and gutters aren't in good shape!

...and note to the wise...take off ANY pictures or clocks or mirrors on outside walls before they start hammering!!! My $120 Coca Cola clock got knocked off the wall and broken and they have been promising since the first of May to pay for it...but no check yet! ...grrrr going to find that number and call myself...dh doesn't have the time but wants to "handle it" himself.

Around here, everyone just rips off the shingles and replaces them when they are damaged or old. They also replace the felt. It's damn cold here, lots of snow, and we haven't had any problems.

If you need gutters done as well, you might get a better deal if you can do the roof at the same time, I think roofing companies do gutters as well, for the most part. So that might actually save you a few $$. If there is more than one company to check with, get estimates from several. I think your roof and gutters should be 1 and 2 on the list, depending on how bad the roof is.

No matter what your project, once you get into it, there may be underlying problems (ie, soft wood, mold, etc) that you should prepare for just in case.

Good luck!

Depending on where the rotten wood it could be included in the roof repair. Our rotten wood is the trim under the roofline and the roofers will replace it.

We generally get one or two good hail storms a year out here in Texas...so luckily, if we ever think we need a new roof, we'll just invite a roofing contractor out! the contrators are more than happy to tell the insurance company that the hail storm damaged the roof. That way, it's covered by homeowners insurance and we would only pay deductible!

do you cold weather girls have any opportunities like that?

(now keep in mind - our house is 7 years old and we haven't replaced the roof yet, DESPITE all the hail storms, LOL!)

hey Julie, where about's do you live?? Do you get snow? My roof got damaged really bad last year with all the wind storms and I was able to get my insurance to replace my WHOLE roof since it was done by good ol mother nature I also got a new fence (since my old one fell down with the wind LOL) If you get snow and alot of rain I would maybe do your roof first and the gutters and do the painting last, but by putting off the two other things you may cause more damage in the long run kwim?

g8rbeckie said:

We generally get one or two good hail storms a year out here in Texas...so luckily, if we ever think we need a new roof, we'll just invite a roofing contractor out! the contrators are more than happy to tell the insurance company that the hail storm damaged the roof. That way, it's covered by homeowners insurance and we would only pay deductible!

do you cold weather girls have any opportunities like that?

(now keep in mind - our house is 7 years old and we haven't replaced the roof yet, DESPITE all the hail storms, LOL!)

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LOL! We are waiting on one more good wind storm to file a claim on ours. We didn't have enough damage from Ike but enough to need a new roof soon.

I live in Oregon. My area is light on the snow, heavy on the rain, and high winds are frequent. Our roof isn't damaged at all. THANKFULLY! (well at least to my eye. LOL) It's just probably near that 10-15 year old point. The house is about 30 years old. We bought the house 6 years ago and I know it wasn't a new roof when we bought it. In December one of our neighbors had half their shingles ripped off in a wind storm, but we weren't damaged at all.