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Saving money can be painful

April 21st, 2014 at 01:54 pm

Last summer my mother looked into getting her roof replaced. Her home is only one story high, and the roof is relatively flat, yet the estimates came in from $13,000 to $18,000 (!). And this wasn't for new plywood or even new roofing felt, just putting new shingles on. I told her that amount was crazy as while the roof is large, its very safe and easy to get up on. So I offered to do the work, if she helped as she could.

So last fall the shingles were delivered and put onto her roof (lifted with a boom, and I placed them on the roof).

Jump ahead to this spring and I have spent two of the last three weekends working on her roof. Ugh. While its easy to get up and stay up, that is still a ton of work. Well, with her help we are about 40% completed, and the parts we did were the harder sections. The rest should be more straightforward (thankfully). Of course my body is all sore and will take a few days to recover, but at least my exercising is coming in handy.

Who knew saving money could be so painful?

Posted in Frugality | 7 Comments »

7 Responses to “Saving money can be painful”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    April 21st, 2014 at 02:17 pm 1398089871
    1398089871

    I hear you. We are in the middle of painting quite a few interior walls. I'm sore from all the bending and stretching!

  2. CB in the City Says:
    April 21st, 2014 at 02:23 pm 1398090192
    1398090192

    How wonderful that you are helping out your mother like that!

  3. Mooshocker Says:
    April 21st, 2014 at 02:39 pm 1398091162
    1398091162

    I did the very same thing at my previous home! It just about killed my body as I work in an office everyday, however, the gratification I reaped was soooooo worth it, not to mention the thousands of dollars saved too! Jamie

  4. snafu Says:
    April 21st, 2014 at 02:46 pm 1398091608
    1398091608

    You are a wonderful son to take on that task. It isn't easy work but I'm sure you've saved a ton of $$$ for mom. I suggest twice daily rub downs with one of the menthol muscle creams recommended by your pharmacist. What is your estimated cost avoidance by this DIY?

  5. Single Guy Says:
    April 22nd, 2014 at 11:49 pm 1398210593
    1398210593

    Cost avoidance? Hmmmm... I think she paid around $2,000 for the shingles (though maybe less, I really don't know). The other items were negligible - once she returns items not used, it will probably add $25 (sealant mostly). Biggest expense is for me to go and come back. Lots of miles on the car, and probably $150 in gas when its all done.

  6. snafu Says:
    April 23rd, 2014 at 03:39 pm 1398267596
    1398267596

    If we add a modest $ 1,000. to the cost of shingles costs $ 3,000. We know the contractors get about 6% discount on product so labor costs $ 10K - $ 12K. ouch. I see a crew of 3 pull shingles from conveyor, yank off shingles and re-roof in 7-8 hrs. How many hours will you have devoted to this hard work task?

  7. Single Guy Says:
    April 23rd, 2014 at 05:59 pm 1398275998
    1398275998

    Its just me, with a little help from my mother... hard to say now, but I suspect it will take me ~60 hours with not much help. And while its not steep, it is a large roof. And I checked prices online - you're right, its probably closer to $3000 for just the shingles.

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