Building your own home will ultimately involve putting up a new roof. The roof plays an integral role in the safety of all that lies inside your property. A well laid roof can last thirty years even under the most arduous conditions. Some have been known to last even longer.

Putting up a new roof will incur several costs that you need to adequately budget for. The cost tends to vary with the shape, size as well as the materials used to construct the new roof. Other features such as dormers, chimneys and even skylights can also affect the price as well. Here's how to accurately calculate your new roof's cost.

Start by measuring the length and width of your home. In addition to these basic dimensions, you will also need to measure the length of the ridge vent. The ridge vent length varies depending on the type of roof you are installing. For instance, on hip roofs, the ridge vent length will be shorter than the overall length of the roof while on gable roofs, this length will be the same as the overall length.

An important measurement that you will need to have when calculating your new roof cost is the pitch or slope measurement. An easy way to measure the slope would be to climb a ladder positioned at the end of the house and measure the rise of the roof. You should take your measurement from the vent to the height of the eaves.

The complexity of the roof will also add to its final cost. As such, when planning for your new roof, research on whether the roof will need extra features such as chimneys and skylights. Complex roofs such as those roofing systems which encompass several ridges and valleys would tend to cost more than simple roofs with minimal features. Consider this as you factor in the costs of putting up a new roof.

The measurements taken above will help to accurately determine the amount of materials required for the fabrication of your new roof. The amount of materials as well as the type of roofing materials used is directly related to the cost of putting up a new roof i.e. more materials required result in a higher final cost. Other factors that will influence the cost of putting up a new roof include labor charges and permit fees.

The labor charge will vary depending on the complexity of the roof design. Most contractors charge per hour for their time. Simple roof designs can be laid within a single day while more complex systems may take slightly more time to finish. Permit fees are required for all types of construction work and vary depending on the type of property as well as which state you are living.