Roofing ROI: How Much a New Roof Boosts Your Home’s Value in Waterloo

Factors that Influence New Roof ROI Value in Waterloo

DIY vs. Professional Roof Work

Unless you have several years of experience replacing roofs, going the DIY route can easily reduce the resale value of a new roof. Working with a professional ensures you get the maximum ROI possible and recoup more of the project costs. 

While a professional roofer is more expensive on average, they offer a workmanship warranty, which means they can be held accountable financially for any damages or issues that result from the roof replacement.

When you replace a roof yourself, there’s not just a greater likelihood of workmanship mishaps, but the only person that can be held accountable for damages is you. It is generally more cost-effective to hire a professional roofing contractor, especially when considering the worst case scenario. 

Your Neighbourhood 

The neighbourhood you live in pays a key factor in the ROI of a new roof and what roofing materials you should choose. 

Investing in high-end shingles for a modest home in a starter community likely won’t increase your home’s value enough to justify the extra expense. It can make your home stick out like a sore thumb, which isn’t always a good thing. While curb appeal is important, many buyers appreciate a house that helps them fit into the neighbourhood.

In upscale areas, designer shingles are usually the norm, and occasionally flat roofs as well. Homes with standard shingles in these neighborhoods can stand out for the wrong reasons, potentially turning buyers away in favor of comparable listings with higher-quality finishes.

For the best return on investment, sellers should look to align their new roof with what matches with the rest of the community. 

The Materials

When it comes time to choose a new roof, the materials you choose, their appeal, and costs all play major factors in the ROI. 

Using more expensive materials doesn’t necessarily mean a better ROI:

• As seen in the cost vs. value report we cited earlier, metal roofing, which is generally a more expensive roofing material, had an ROI of only 50%.
• However, replacing with Asphalt shingles, the most affordable roofing material by far, resulted in an average ROI of 68% — a whopping 18% more ROI than the metal roofing had. 

Material choice should align with what buyers in your area find most appealing. Asphalt shingles often deliver the best return because they’re affordable, attractive, and widely preferred by homebuyers. They make a home look updated without overpricing it for the neighbourhood.

Working closely with a real estate agent can help you understand what homebuyers in the area prefer. 

Roof Size & Complexity

The size and complexity of your roof directly influences project cost without changing much about the percentage of return you’ll receive. Larger roofs with multiple slopes require more materials and labour, which drives up the overall price, but the percentage of value recovered through resale remains about the same. Essentially, you’ll spend more but gain no proportional increase in ROI.

If you have a larger roof that’s complexly built, be strategic about your roof replacement. You might not see the same return as others with just a simple, thoughtless replacement. 

What Type of Roof Adds the Most Value to a Waterloo Home?

When planning to resell your home, architectural asphalt shingles is the roof type which adds the most value to justify the costs. It blends affordable material costs with a sleek, high-end design (compared to 3-tab shingles). Keep reading for a breakdown of each roofing material and how it can add value to your Waterloo home:

Asphalt Shingles

• Value Ranking: #1
• Average ROI: 55-70%
• Types: 3-tab, architectural, and luxury

Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material by far. Their popularity comes from their affordability, low maintenance demands, and simple curb appeal. This is also what makes it one of the most valuable roofing material choices. Shingles have always been well-liked by homebuyers. 

Because asphalt shingles can come in many types (3-tab, architectural, luxury), the way it looks can be very flexible. 3-tab is the classic, affordable choice, while luxury is on the higher-end. 

We like to recommend architectural shingles because it balances the advantages of both 3-tab and luxury shingles.

Slate Roofing

• Value Ranking: #2
• Average ROI: 55-65%

Slate is one of the most visually appealing roofing materials you can choose. It gives any home a high-end, elegant look that instantly stands out. Buyers tend to associate slate with quality and long-term durability, which can help your home appear more valuable when selling.

That being said, slate is also one of the most expensive roofing materials on the market. It’s not extremely heavy, but it can weigh down on weak home framing and require extra structural support during installation. This adds to the total cost and limits your overall ROI, causing it to fall behind traditional shingles in our ranking. 

Metal Roofing

• Value Ranking: #3
• Average ROI: 40-55%

Metal is unique, but also a perfectly fine material choice for roofs. There’s many advantages to a metal roof, including a long lifespan, low maintenance, high-energy efficiency, and improved weather durability compared to traditional shingles. 

So what’s stopping metal roofing from being one of the more valuable choices? It really comes down to the up-front cost, which greatly minimizes the overall return on investment. Additionally, it can look out of place in more historic neighbourhoods. 

Clay or Concrete Tile Roofs

• Value Ranking: #4
• Average ROI: 35-45%

Homes with clay or concrete tile roofs benefit from a longer lifespan and low maintenance demands. Materials like concrete and clay are resistant to insects, fire, and rot. 

However, you won’t usually find a clay or concrete tile roof in Waterloo, so it may not be the best choice for local homebuyers. They’re more popular in warmer climates, and not very well-suited for the architectural styles you’ll find in Waterloo and Ontario. 

They also require an expensive and complex installation process. Clay and concrete tiles are heavier than most roofing materials, so it requires some extra reinforcements to your home. Unfortunately, the cost of installation has reduced the potential ROI considerably.

3 Reasons to Get a New Roof Before Selling in Waterloo

Increases Home Value and ROI

A roof replacement can lead to stronger offers and a faster sale. That’s why 12.9% of RE/MAX brokers recommended investing in roofing upgrades before listing a home for sale. 

A new roof is one of the easiest ways to increase your home’s resale value, and the impact it has is often enough to justify the cost. 

Buyers see a new roof as a sign of quality and care. It reassures them that they won’t have to worry about repairs or maintenance when moving in. You’re offering not just a new roof, but convenience. We can all agree that a home with a new roof is far more appealing than a home with a 10+ year old roof. 

Prevents Inspection Red Flags

An aging or damaged roof is one of the first things home inspectors look for. Roof problems are also a common reason buyers are dissuaded from putting in an offer. Missing shingles, soft spots, or leaks are complete deal-breakers and often lead to lower offers overall. Replacing your roof before listing helps you avoid these issues entirely, giving both you and potential buyers peace of mind during the inspection process.

Lowers Home Insurance Premiums

Home insurance companies typically offer better premiums for new roofing. This benefits both the buyer’s insurance later down the line as well as your own insurance during the short transition period. Highlighting these potential savings in your listing can give buyers another reason to choose your home over others.

Upgrade Your Roof & Make The Sale with Quality Care

There’s no better time for an upgrade than when you’re preparing to sell your home. We can help take your roof from a nuisance to an asset for your home resale. We offer some of the most affordable roof replacement services in Waterloo, ensuring you get the best return on investment with your home resale. 

Start with a Free Roof Inspection and Estimate!