Quick answer: For most homeowners, replacing a roof yourself saves less than expected and adds real risk. Once you add the dumpster, tools, permits, retail material prices, lost weekends and the chance of a fall or a leak, the savings shrink fast. A professional crew finishes most roofs in 1–2 days and stands behind the work with a warranty.
Is it cheaper to replace your own roof?
You skip labor costs, but the other costs add up:
- Materials at retail price. Contractors buy in volume, and homeowners usually pay more for the same shingles, underlayment and flashing.
- Dumpster and disposal. Tear-off produces thousands of pounds of old shingles that have to go somewhere.
- Tools and safety gear. Roofing nailer, compressor, harness, roof anchors, ladders and roof jacks.
- Permits. Most Minnesota cities require a permit to reroof, and some require inspections.
- Time. A trained crew does in a day what can take a homeowner several weekends. Every night the roof sits open, weather can damage the house.
- Fixing mistakes. One bad flashing detail can cause leaks that cost more than the labor you saved.
What are the biggest risks of DIY roofing?
- Falls. Falls are one of the leading causes of serious injury in construction, and they happen to professionals too. Steep pitches and morning dew make it worse.
- Leaks from flashing mistakes. Chimneys, walls, skylights and valleys are where most leaks start. We replace step and wall flashing on every job instead of reusing it.
- Ice dams. Minnesota roofs need ice and water shield at the eaves and proper attic ventilation. Skip either one and you can get ice dams and water in your walls.
- Voided warranties. Shingle manufacturer warranties depend on correct installation, and a DIY roof has no workmanship warranty at all.
- Problems at resale or with insurance. Buyers, inspectors and insurers may question an unpermitted or non-professional roof.
What roof work can homeowners do themselves?
Plenty of upkeep is safe to handle yourself:
- Clean gutters and downspouts from a stable ladder
- Look over your roof from the ground with binoculars after storms
- Check the attic for water stains, daylight or frost on the nails in winter
- Keep branches trimmed back from the roof
Leave anything that means walking on the roof, tearing off shingles or touching flashing to a pro.
What does a professional roofer do that DIY usually misses?
- Pulls the permits
- Inspects and replaces rotted decking
- Installs ice and water shield and synthetic underlayment
- Replaces step and wall flashing instead of reusing it
- Corrects attic ventilation so the roof lasts
- Cleans up with magnetic sweepers so no nails are left in your yard
- Backs the work with a 5-year workmanship warranty
Key facts
- Ascension Roofing & Siding replaces most roofs in 1–2 days
- Most Minnesota cities require a permit to reroof
- Ascension pulls all permits, replaces step and wall flashing, corrects ventilation and gives a 5-year workmanship warranty
- Ascension has replaced 700+ roofs since 2007
FAQ
Can I legally replace my own roof in Minnesota?
Homeowners can usually do work on their own home, but most cities still require a reroofing permit. Check with your city before you start.
How much can I save by doing my own roof?
Less than most people expect. Retail materials, dumpster fees, tools, permits and fixing mistakes eat into the labor savings. And there’s no workmanship warranty.
Can I put new shingles over my old ones?
Minnesota code generally allows no more than two layers. Even where allowed, a second layer hides rotted decking and adds weight. We recommend a full tear-off.
What if I start the job and can’t finish it?
Call us. But a half-finished roof left open to the weather can turn into a much bigger repair.
Get your free estimate
Before you rent a dumpster, get a free estimate to compare. Call 763-333-7663 (24/7) or get an instant quote online. Then you can compare the real numbers side by side.
