[glgene]

Regarding buying "New" vs. a "Resale" home, what is the life expectancy of roofs and A/C units at The Villages?

Also, estimated costs?

Thanks.

Gene

[CaptJohn]

Can't speak for just TV but most areas in the south is about 15 years for both. Maybe 20-25 on a high quality shingle roof. Costs on the roof will vary widely depending on size and complexity.

[Jim 9922]

Half the time the life span of the A/C unit is dependent on the honesty of the repair man. Normally things get iffy after about 15 years. Carrier A/C's are usually warranted for 10 years if installed by Munns.
See other threads about honesty of A/C repair people!

[glgene]

Originally Posted by Jim 9922

Half the time the life span of the A/C unit is dependent on the honesty of the repair man. Normally things get iffy after about 15 years. Carrier A/C's are usually warranted for 10 years if installed by Munns.
See other threads about honesty of A/C repair people!

I had read somewhere the life expectancy of a roof and a/c unit is shorter in FL. ??

Gene

[784caroline]

Dont forget that most of the newer homes are using Heat Pumps not simply Air Conditioners. Up north in Va if you got 15 years from a heat pump you were doing good. At 16+ years, if something went wrong think of replacement not repair. During the summer months in VA, we probably use our AC for 5-6 months and Heat pump 5 months where in FLorida you are using AC about 9-10 months and heat pump 2 months.

Also we were able to replace (exchange) only the outside unit after the first 15 year period assuming the Energy Efficiency Rating was realtively the same ......for the second replacement (say around 25-30 years) you need to replace not only the outside unit but the inside coils and coolant lines as well....and most likely there are better efficiency ratings available and both the inside and outside units need to be compitable.

[Deerfly]

I replaced my HVAC unit (outside and inside unit) almost 2years ago in order to take advantage of the write-off on my federal income tax. It probably would have lasted a year or two more but was installed when the house was built in 1995 so not nearly as efficient as the one I bought.
I am thinking that the roof will be next although it's not leaking. Just old and a lot of the sand has ended up on the ground next to my downspouts. Had a handyman that I trust and doesn't do shingling tell me that I should be able to get a couple more years out of it.
A guy stopped by and wanted to give me an estimate. He was "in the neighborhood" and had reroofed some of my neighbors homes, he said.
I watched him amble around my roof for 15 minutes with a tape measure and really didn't measure much of anything. When he came down he asked me how many square feet we had. I told him about 1800. He said he "figured" about 4000 sq ft (40 squares) of roofing. Cost about $12.000. My neighbor across the street has about the same square footage and it cost him about $7200 when he reroofed. He did it because he was getting ready to sell and wanted everything up to date.
Don't let anyone on your roof who wants to give you and estimate. Ask around and find a reputable roofer and ask him to give you and estimate. Be very careful of roofers!!

[glgene]

Any other comments on new roofing cost, say, for a 2,000 sq. ft. Designer home?

A/C replacement cost?

Gene

[gomoho]

We just had our roof replaced on a 1300 sq ft designer due to the Owens/Corning shingle problem. The job was $7200 which included removing the old roof and replacing the new.We were lucky the home inspector picked up on the issue before we bought the home - Owens/Corning paid for the entire job.