Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

How much does it cost to replace the roof of a house?

A healthy roof is integral to your homes value, curb appeal, and proper function. Roofs not only crown the home, giving it its final appearance, they also help keep elements like wind, rain, hail, and snow out.

If your roof is getting older it may begin to deteriorate. The shingles1 may break down, crack, fall off, curl, or develop other issues, which can lead to leaks. In turn, water infiltration through the roof can lead to other, ongoing issues such as wood rot, mold, and mildew growth in your home.

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, a roof should be replaced when it begins leaking and when it cannot be easily repaired or the issues are widespread (involving more than one area of the roof).

While there are many different types of roofing material, the most commonly used is asphalt shingles. The average cost of these shingles installed on a 1,500 square foot roof is around $6,750, or $4.50 per square foot. Your costs may vary depending on your geographic location, the shingles you choose, and the pitch of your roof.

While roofs can simply age and lose some of their integrity through time, the bulk of the damage done to your roof will be caused by external factors. These include: snow, rain, wind, hailstones, tree limbs and other debris, heat, inadequate attic insulation, moss, excessive moisture, ice dams, and more.

Some of this damage may not be preventable; severe weather, for example, may damage your roof even after precautions have been taken. However, in general, there are ways to avoid some of the damage to your roof, such as:

If your roof has sustained an impact, has developed leaks, or shows signs of damaged shingles, such as curling, breaks, or missing sections, then it may be time to replace your roof, particularly if it is also reaching the end of its lifespan.

If you are unsure, have your roof inspected to find out more about its condition.

While getting your entire roof replaced is expensive, there are a lot of benefits to consider. The first is the fact that any and all potential issues can be corrected at one time. Repairing one area may leave another to begin leaking later, so in the case of a severely compromised roof, a replacement may actually save you money in the long run.

Roof replacements also allow you to upgrade your roof to UV-resistant shingles in hot areas or hail-resistant tiles in storm-prone areas. You can also improve the curb appeal of your home with a new roof if you intend to sell in a few years. Roofs are often a good investment in your home, particularly if the existing roof is older and your home may be going on the market soon.

Getting your entire roof replaced does have its downsides as well. The first is cost. If the majority of your roof is in good condition, roof repair or a partial roof replacement may address most of the issues for less.

Roof replacements can also be lengthy, noisy, and result in issues such as nails and debris in your yard afterward. While a reputable pro will spread tarps and clean up carefully when the job is complete to prevent these kinds of issues, not every company will take these steps.

In some cases, your current roof may also be under warranty and replacing it without having it inspected by the manufacturer first could mean that youre paying for a new roof for no reason.

Most reputable roofers will include the costs of underlayment2 and flashing3 with the cost of your new roof. In most cases, its assumed that your decking is in good condition and can be reused with little to no additional work.

This isnt always the case, however, and new decking may increase the total costs of your project by an additional $2 per square foot. This is particularly true if you are switching from a lightweight shingle to a heavy tile; in this case, your decking must be reinforced to hold the additional weight, which can lead to higher installation costs.

In most states, you are allowed to have up to two layers of asphalt shingles installed on your roof at a time. Roofing-over, or putting one layer of shingles over another, can save you significant amounts of money on your new roof, as the labor involved in removing the old shingles is avoided. Roofing-over costs around $2 to $3 per square foot, as opposed to the average full replacement cost of $4.50, so roofing-over a 1,500 square foot roof may only cost $3,000 to $4,500.

Roofing-over does present some issues, however. Putting one layer of shingles on top of another does not address any potential underlying issues with your roof deck or underlayment. It also doubles the thickness of your roof and means that the new shingles may not lay as flat. In turn, this can mean that the new shingles will lift off more easily and, if the underlying shingles have any kind of moisture problem, this can cause the new shingles to deteriorate more rapidly. This will ultimately mean in another roof project, and a full replacement this time, much sooner than if you had done it all at once the first time.

While many roofs are treated virtually the same despite visual differences, there are types that have different needs and that therefore have different associated costs as well.

Flat roof

($6,000)

Moisture pooling and UV rays

Moderately easy

A-Frame

($9,000)

Moisture or lifting shingles

More expensive and complex to build due to the many angles involved

Gable

($6,750)

Impacts, moisture, ice dams, and lifting shingles

Most common roof, easy to moderate to replace

Hipped

($9,000)

Impacts, moisture, ice dams, and lifting shingles

More expensive and complex to build due to the many angles involved

Butterfly

($9,000)

Moisture pooling, snow, lifting shingles

More expensive and complex to build due to the extreme angles and positions

Mansard

($10,000)

Impact, moisture pooling, high winds, and ice dams

Complex depending on whether or not the sections are flat or curved

In addition to different shapes and styles, roofs can also be found in a variety of materials. The material you choose will have a tremendous impact on the total cost of your roof, both for the materials and installation labor involved. Some heavy roofs require reinforcement of the deck while others may need specialty labor. Combined with the pitch and shape of your roof, your material will be a major driving force behind the total cost.

Asphalt

($6,750)

Common

Lots of choices

Fairly fast and easy to install

Lasts 15-18 years

Not as durable

May be damaged by impact or high winds

Architectural shingles

($10,000)

More durable

Resist impact better

May resist UV rays

Lasts 24-30 years

Expensive

More difficult to install

Clay tiles

($20,000-$35,000)

Durable

Many shapes and styles to choose from

Easily broken

Difficult to install and replace

Expensive

Composite

($7,000)

Durable

Can mimic many other roofing types and materials

Lasts 35-50 years

Harder to find

Difficult to install

Metal tiles

($15,000-$20,000)

Durable

Can mimic other tiles and materials

Lasts 30-45 years

Heavy

Expensive

May be difficult to install

Standing seam

($6,700)

Durable, lightweight, contemporary in style, lasts 30-45 years

Not a lot of style options

May rust or leak

Slate

($15,000-$20,000)

Durable

Attractive

Lasts upwards of 100 years

Heavy

Expensive

Read the rest here:
Cost to Replace Roof - Estimates and Prices at Fixr

We all want to get the best possible deal when it comes to spending our hard earned money. However, there are some items that fall in the never bargain shop category. A new roof ranks high on that list.

A new asphalt shingles roof for a typical 2,000 sq. ft. single-story ranch house can range in price from $8,500 to $16,500 fully installed.

Across the US, a typical architectural asphalt shingle roof will cost between $3.50 and $5.50 per sq. ft. to install. This price range normally includes the cost of materials, removal of the old roof (up to 1 layer), dumpster and disposal fees, permitting fees, professional installation, and workmanship warranty.

Note: The actual estimates youll receive will vary depending on the location of your home, roofs overall complexity, and the type of system you choose to install.

Did you know? The average house size in America is roughly 2,000 square feet, with older homes being smaller than that (1,500 Sq.Ft. to 1,700 Sq.Ft. on average) and newer homes being larger (2,400 Sq.Ft. to 2,600 Sq.Ft. on average). However, the size of the roof can vary depending on how many levels or stories a home has, the slope and type of the roof and complexity of its architectural design.

Varying factors that can affect your cost are: the brand and type of shingles; the type of underlayment; the slope of the roof; complexity of the job; the company installing the roof and the region.

3-Tab Asphalt Shingles: $7,000 to $12,00030-year Shingles: $9,000 to $15,00050-year Shingles: $11,000 to $20,000EPDM Rubber: $8,000 to $14,000TPO or PVC Membrane: $10,000 to $15,000Wood Shingles: $14,000 to $25,000Steel Shingles: $14,000 to $25,000Aluminum Shingles: $15,000 to $28,000Standing Seam: $23,000 to $30,000Natural Slate: $25,000 to $50,000Concrete Tiles: $20,000 to $40,000Clay Tiles: $25,000 to $50,000

* These are approximate total job prices based on national average. Costs may vary depending on your region and homes location, the roofs slope and number of stories, overall complexity of the roof, the number of layers of the old shingles to be removed and disposed of, type of underlayment and accessories used, and any warranties or guarantees the contractor offers.

Needless to say, getting a roof replacement is expensive. Seeing the total price of getting it done properly can cause a justifiable sticker shock. However, when homeowners have a better understanding of where the money is going and how they will save money in the long run, its easier to see a quality roof as the investment it truly is.

Having a roof over your head is a basic, essential need. Yet, when the time comes to have a new roof installed, a typical homeowner will either pay too much by going through the local home improvement store like Lowes or Home Depot, which by the way does not necessarily guarantee quality, or inadvertently, opt for a low quality roof by hiring a contractor with the lowest bid.

Many homeowners make these often-poor choices, because they dont really understand the importance of a good roof in the first place, as they lack general roofing knowledge, as well as fear getting ripped off, often justifiably so.

This guide will give you the knowledge necessary to hire a reputable contractor and get the best roof for your money.

Before getting into the actual roof prices, its essential to establish the importance of a properly installed high-quality roof. A roof does more than keep the rain off your head. It protects your biggest investment your home.

Durability long lifespan; stands up to high winds, heavy rain, snow and hail; less maintenance; few replacements

Protection doesnt leak; protects the inside and outside of the structure; provides proper drainage; keeps family safe during extreme weather

Efficiency proper ventilation and insulation; saves energy; lowers heating and cooling bills; helps HVAC equipment last longer; helps prevent ice dams, possible energy efficiency tax credits

Increased Home Value If youre planning to resell your home, it will be worth more with a high-quality roof.

Unreliable vulnerable to premature leaks; cant stand up to pressure from snow; peels off in high winds

Quite Temporary short lifespan; deteriorates at a faster rate; high maintenance and unnecessary repair costs

High Energy Costs improper ventilation and insulation decrease energy efficiency; high energy bills; heating and cooling unit must work harder

Potentially Dangerous Low quality materials combined with improper ventilation can be a fire hazard and also cause mold issues

Consider the following examples: The most popular residential roofing material is the basic 3-tab asphalt shingles, because they have the lowest up front cost. However, 3-tab shingles are rather thin and can fail when exposed to strong winds or rapidly-changing temperatures. As result, 3-tab shingles will normally last less than dimensional or architectural shingles. Thus, although you may pay less up front, frequent roof replacements can make the least-costly option more expensive over time.

Metal roofs do have a higher initial price tag, but a durable and energy-efficient metal roof will help you save money in the long run. Many residential metal roofs are offered with a lifetime warranty, are surprisingly energy efficient, and require little to no maintenance. Plus, they come in a variety of styles and colors to match anyones taste and local flair.

When weighing the price of a roof against the value received, homeowners need to look beyond the upfront cost, and consider long term savings and added benefits a quality roof can provide.

Remember, lower price doesnt always mean less expensive

Unless you personally know a contractor, the thought of finding a reputable company can be overwhelming, to say the least. Between horror stories of people getting blatantly ripped off, the fly-by-night crews and storm chasing contractors, it can be hard to know who you can trust.

Use these steps to find a reputable roofer:

1. Ask friends and family for recommendations.

2. Once you have a list of prospects, call them and ask these questions:

This information will tell you how reliable they are, how much attention theyll give to your project and how smoothly the work will go.

3. From your phone conversations, choose three to four contractors to come to your home for estimates. Dont go on personality alone. Be sure to check their reputation with their past clients and/or BBB, rip off report, Angies List if you have it, etc.

4. Follow up on the information youve gathered. Call their clients to see if they are satisfied with the work and service theyve received.

5. When prospective contractors visit your home, they should inspect the roof, along with the attic insulation and ventilation system in place. If you have a rather complex roof, they may ask to see the blueprints if you have them, which can help with the measurements and ordering of materials.

When discussing your needs, make sure they fully understand your expectations in terms of the new roof including making sure that your new roof will be properly ventilated, debris removed, and that your house and landscaping will be properly protected if the old roof needs to be removed.

Make sure that you fully understand the product benefits, and warranty details for materials and labor. The contractor should be eager to answer any questions you may have, as well as have questions and suggestions for you.

You will also want to make sure that the company has all the necessary roofers liability and workers comp insurance, and that they will be getting a permit for the job. You may also want to check their contractors license if its required in your state.

6. To accurately compare bids, ask for a breakdown of the contractors estimates. The estimate should include cost of materials, labor, other expenses and profit margin. Remember if companies arent making profits, they wont be around to cover your warranty.

7. Throw out the low-ball bid. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

8. Go with your gut. You must be comfortable with not only their ability to do the work, but also how you feel around them. Trust is a major factor when hiring a contractor. Theyll be at your home for several hours; you need to feel comfortable talking to them; as well as get a sense that they are being fair, and honest.

Tip: You do not want to do business with a contractor who seems pushy and impatient with your questions.

More on the Importance of Hiring a Reputable Contractor

It can be very tempting to go with the crew offering to save you money on such a large investment. However, when you choose a company based purely on the lowest bid, it will likely cost you more in the long run.

What you can expect from a disreputable roofer:

Your roof will only likely look good for a short time. When you start having problems with your roof, and you will probably have problems, they wont be around to uphold your warranty.

Of course, hiring someone who is skilled in his trade and takes pride in his work will cost more than a fly-by-night organization. But, you get what you pay for.

What you can expect from a reputable roofer:

After inspecting the roof and speaking with homeowner, a contractor will draw up an estimate for the project. Estimating takes several important factors into consideration including materials, complexity of the job and the amount of time needed to complete the job.

Roof Size Roofs with more slant have a larger surface area than roofs with less slant.

Roof Slope Steeper sloped roofs are more dangerous and more difficult to work on than flat roofs.

Roof Complexity A roof with more level changes, hips and valleys, and add-ons, such as dormers, will be more expensive than a simple roof.

Existing Layers Its sometimes possible to install over existing shingles, but this lowers the lifespan and can cancel the warranty. Its better to do a complete replacement. The more layers that must be removed will increase the price.

Debris and Waste Removal Asphalt shingles, the most common material used, are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly.

Materials The type of new material that will be installed, such as asphalt shingles, steel shingles, slate shingles, etc.

Building Materials This covers all other materials needed to replace a roof including boards and plywood for the roof deck, nails, drop cloths, tarps, staples, calk, etc.

Roof Underlayment and Accessories Underlayment and accessories are part of a system that makes the roof complete and watertight.

Underlayment can be a simple 30lb felt or tar paper. There are also more advanced roof deck protection options such as breathable synthetic underlayment and/or Ice-and-water shield that protects sensitive and leak-prone areas of the roof such eaves and valleys. Accessories include vent pipe boots, snowguards, and flashing materials.

Ventilation Ventilation is very important for expanding the lifespan of a roof, increasing its energy efficiency and meeting building code requirements in some areas.

Did you know? Ventilation is one of the main areas where corners are often being cut by less reputable contractors.

* Make sure anyone you hire obtains all the required building permits and your roof meets all required building codes.

Labor Costs Installation/labor costs will vary depending on the size and complexity of the job, the workers experience and how long the project will take.

Overhead Costs This covers the basic costs of doing business (insurance, advertising, taxes, permits, office space, equipment, trucks, office supplies, office staff, etc.).

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Roof Replacement Cost in 2019: New Roof Prices

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The original Star Ocean was released in the twilight days of the Super Famicoms life, with the PlayStation having already been on the market for nearly two years. Not very long after, Square shook the industry by releasing Final Fantasy VII, the game that not only solidified the PlayStation as the RPG system of choice, but also introduced the genre to the overseas mass market. In just two years, Tri-Ace got together and created a sequel to Star Ocean, that, while not quite having the budget of Squares cinematic epic, took influence from it while still maintaining its own identity.

The story takes place twenty years after the first game, focusing on Earth space captain Ronyx (Ronixis in the PS1 version) Kenny and his young adult son Claude. While on an away mission, Claude is accidentally sucked through a mysterious portal and ends up transported to a medieval planet called Expel. Almost immediately after regaining consciousness, he finds a young girl named Rena about to be attacked by a ferocious monster. When leaping to her defense, he uses his laser pistol, thereby violating the Star Trekian Underdeveloped Planet Preservation Pact, the one that was specifically created so lesser civilizations wouldnt look at space travelers as gods.

Predictably, Rena looks at Claudes strange clothes and magic laser gun and comes to the conclusion that hes the foretold Hero of Light that would save the world from destruction. Indeed, things on Expel have worsened over the years, largely thanks to a mysterious meteor called the Sorcery Globe, that has recently crash landed and brought with it a plague of monsters. Despite his reluctance, and with no communication back to his father or his starship, Claude teams up with Rena to explore the land and research the origin of the Globe.

Characters

Claude C. Kenny

The son of Ronyx Kenny from the original Star Ocean, Claude serves as an ensign on his dads ship, the Cainus, before accidentally becomes stranded on Expel. He originally just wants to get back home, but becomes embroiled in the plans to save the planet.Referred to as Crawd in Japanese artwork.

Rena Lanford

The other main character, Rena is a Nede, basically Star Oceans version of an elf. She lives with her mother in the village of Arlia on Expel, where she discovers Claude after hes transported there, and acts as his guide after he saves her from a kidnapping. Shes the group healer.

Ashton Anchors

A symbologist swordsman with a bit of bad luck. When the heroes first meet him, hes cursed by a dragon, who appears as two heads attached to his back. (Their names areGyoro/Creepy andUrurun/Weepy.) Since Claude and Rena are technically responsible for his misfortune, they offer to help find a cure, and so Ashton joins their adventure. If you recruit him, then neither Opera nor Ernest can join your party.

Opera Vectra

Opera is aTetrageniot, a race that has a third eye on their foreheads. When the party first meets her, shes looking for her boyfriend, Ernest. She attacks using assorted high tech weaponry, most of which are functional at long range.

Ernest Raviede

Ernest is Operas boyfriend, an interplanetary explorer whos found himself possessed by a ghost. After being exorcised, he joins the party along with Opera. His primary weapons are whips.

Precis F. Neumann

A cheery teenage girl who lives in the town of Linga, she follows in the footsteps of her scientist father and spends her time tinkering with mechanics. She travels with her robot Robbie (Bobot) and fights with a mecha named Puncher attached to her back. If she joins, you cant recruit Bowman.

Celine Jules

A treasure hunter and princess of the Krosse royal family. Celine is a symbologist, basically wielding offensive magic.

Leon D.S. Gehste

A genius child symbologist living in the kingdom of Laceur. Hes a cat-like Fellpool, the same race as the main characters from the original Star Ocean. Hell also only join permanently in Claudes scenario.

Dias Flac

A brooding hero archetype, Dias is Renas childhood friend, who has since left the village by the time the game begins, having blamed himself for a tragic incident in his past. He looks at Rena as a little sister, though Claude views him as a romantic rival. A strong swordsman, he only joins the party permanently in Renas route.

Bowman Jeane

A pharmacist in Linga, who joins to help investigate the sorcery globe, he attacks with pellets with various effects but is also a strong physical fighter.

Chisato Madison

A newsporter reporter whos also a Nedian, just like Rena, who fights primarily with tasers. Shes one of the last characters since she shows up in the second half of the game, and since your party can only hold eight, theres a good chance that the player will have to choose between her and Noel.

Noel Chandler

A cheerful Nedian zoologist at a wildlfie refuge, hes a combination of a fighter and healer.

The biggest elements taken from Final Fantasy VII are the pre-rendered backgrounds and the 3D world map, moving away from the continuous field of the SFC Star Ocean. However, it sticks with using sprites rather than polygonal models, and applies a blur filter them as they move towards and away from the camera, so it doesnt look at pixelly as something like Xenogears. Its obvious Tri-Ace didnt have remotely the same budget as Square, so the backgrounds arent nearly as distinct nor as detailed. But the trade-off is that areas, especially dungeons, tend to be larger and more complex than the comparatively linear paths of Final Fantasy. There are a small number of CG cutscenes, that concentrate mostly on landscapes getting destroyed, but they looked rather cheap back when it was released and come off even worse nowadays.

The battle system has also been updated so that the action takes place on a 3D battlefield, which is much larger than the single screen arenas of the original SFC game. Its a little bit awkward in the way it works you can technically now move around, but by default you have to hold down the Square button. However, fundamentally it works the same as before, as you target an enemy then run up and hit them. The main character can also be controlled by an AI too, if you want to sit back and watch. There are some additions that try to make it a little more action-based, like jumping enemies that will dodge regular attacks, or falling rocks that need to be dodged. Theres also a (rarely used) feature that lets you cast two spells from characters, allowing for a combined super attack.

On the whole, its a more interesting and exciting expansion on the real-time system set down by the first game, but some of these still cause issues. Many enemies have attacks that are much quicker than any of your party members, allowing them to stun you mid-attack. Its very easy to get cornered or caught between two enemies, and get butchered before you get a chance to react. The fact that the battlefield is so large makes it difficult to see everything thats going on, which is especially a problem when trying to interrupt magic-casters. While there are a few more AI commands, theyre still rather vague, especially when you want one of your party members to attack a specific enemy. These issues dont really affect most of the fights, but every once awhile youll get wiped out due this sort of jankiness.

Its especially a problem in the end game, where the final dungeon (and resulting final battles) have such a huge difficulty spike that its almost impossible to beat unless you specifically know the special tricks in order to beat it. (Hint: develop pickpocketing skills and find the NPC with the Bunny Shoes.) And thats just on the default setting theres an optional subquest that lets you take off the limiter of the final boss, making it even more ridiculously difficult. Thankfully the steps to do this are so obtuse that its unlikely a first-time player will do this on their own.

The major upside is the fact that you get Rena, a healer, right at the start of the game. Since shes set to autoheal, generally shell save any of your AI party members before they get killed, so at least you dont have to worry about them screwing up too badly. It also reduces the need to constantly have to stop and heal in the early parts of the game, as you did in the first game.

The skill system is fundamentally the same as before, with some minor tweaks. New are the Super Specialties, which are group abilities that are obtained when your party members cumulatively have high enough ranks in certain skills. For example, Master Chef lets you combine two ingredients to make a more powerful dish, while Publishing (or Publication) lets you pick specific characters to write books, rather than being applicable to skills. These can tweak various friendship or romance points, and can also be sold to publishing houses for royalties. Come On Bunny (or Bunny Call) lets you summon a gigantic bunny to quickly travel the overworld, like Star Oceans equivalent to a Chocobo. Reverse Side or (or Contraband) lets you make super powerful illegal items, which can, for example, let you stay at any inn for free, or get insurance so you get some cash if one of your characters is KOed in battle. If you fail though, you get a bounced check item that will continuously drain your cash until it sell it (which also costs money).

These additional skills in Star Ocean 2 make it possible to totally break the balance of the game. This is a lot of fun in its own way, and indeed, basically required if you want to have a chance at the high difficulty levels. Still, anyone looking for strategic depth to their fighting systems will not find it here (or any Star Ocean for that matter).

Beyond the myriad of skills, theres also a relatively large amount of optional content. Right at the beginning of the game, you can choose between playing as Claude or Rena. Fundamentally this doesnt change a whole lot the introduction is different, obviously, and there are a handful of spots where the two diverge and you can see their unique viewpoints. Ultimately it doesnt affect the story too much, and you can switch leader characters at your will regardless. However, each route has a unique playable character Rena drafts her older-brother figure swordsman Dias, while Claude gets Leon, a genius young boy scientist. Both of these characters appear on the story regardless.

Its a good idea, but clumsily implemented due to both how the story is written and the abilities of the characters. Claude is obviously the standard hero-fighter character, but since Rena is a healer, shes not very good at fighting, so you might as well put someone else in charge of the party anyway. Plus, at the beginning of the game, when Rena gets kidnapped, all you do is sit around and wait for Claude to rescue you. Though this has only a minor affect on the overall game, it wouldve been nice for her to be more pro-active.

Other than that, technically all of the other playable characters (total of twelve in the PS1 version, thirteen in the PSP/PS4/Vita versions) are optional. Some of them will join during the course of the story and they you decide to have them stick around permanently or boot them from the team. However, others require taking on various subquests to find.

As with the first game, certain characters are mutually exclusive. At an early town, you find some NPCs making reference to a man fighting dragons in a cave, who turns out to be Ashton. If you hunt him down and have him join, that means you cant ever meet Opera or her boyfriend Ernest. Youll probably never even see them during the course of the game. Similarly, theres one town where you can either draft Precis, the young girl scientist, or Bowman, the pharmacist. But the game never tells you that cant get one if you dont get the other. Similarly, its easy to miss one of the optional subquests to find these characters because they tend to happen only during Private Actions, which are easy to miss. As with before, you really need to play with a FAQ in hand if you want to understand everything.

Again, its just as well, because Star Ocean 2 isnt terribly lengthy. Its quite a bit longer than the first game by the time the story really gets into gear is about the same point, time-wise, that the first game was wrapping up. A standard playthrough, even when going for the larger subquests, will probably only take about 20-30 hours, making it a fair bit shorter than the Final Fantasy games of the era. Thats one of the games greatest strengths too even though it wears the clothes of a 32-bit RPG, its storytelling and pacing are closer to a 16-bit one. The introduction, as Rena introduces Claude to the world, is drawn out, and the first half of the game is a little slow, as the plot barely progresses as the team is introduced to all of the party members. But the second half of the game is much more interesting, as the heroes fight on a second planet called Energy Nede, and have more direct confrontation with the villains.

The characters are generally pretty fun, managing to be diverse and unique without being obnoxious (with a few exceptions). Some parts are juvenile the constant teasing about the romantic tension between Claude and Rena, as well as Renas idolation of Dias and Claudes jealousy, grows tiresome but theyre never intolerable. Similarly, even though the story involves whole planets being destroyed, its never as melodramatic as Final Fantasy VII or VIII, nor is the story as bloated or confusing.

Ultimately the story isnt anything fantastic, even if it is longer and more involved than the first game. The villains are revealed to be mysterious beings called the Ten Wise Men, who, fitting neatly into a 90s JRPG cliche, are named after various Christian angels. Its something that alluded to in one of the dungeons, which weirdly has Christian iconography and paintings on the walls. However, the English PS1 version changes all of their names to hide this connection the main bad guy, Gabriel, was changed in Indalecio.

Motoi Sakurabas soundtrack is similar in style to the SFC game, though the instrument set is closer to the other 32-bit games he worked on, like Sonys Beyond the Beyond and Camelots Shining the Holy Ark. And it sounds absolutely fantastic. The towns themes (and Renas theme) are accompanied with beautiful flutes, the battle themes are intense prog rock pieces accompanied pounding drums and trumpets, and the dungeon themes alternate between adrenaline pumping Falcom-esque synth rock and atmospheric creepiness. Its one of Sakurabas most consistent works, with barely a bad song among the seventy or so tracks. Even the more discordant tracks, like the boss themes, shine through with their sheer, raw energy.

In the PS1 version, speech is limited to a brief clip in the introduction, as well as battle speech and cries. In the English release, these are spectacularly bad. The actors are obviously amateur, and not only is much of it grating but some clips are practically indecipherable due to the low sound quality. (The more egregious example is Ashtons Tear into pieces! which sounds closer to Pear into peaches!) Characters like Precis become almost unusable due to how obnoxious she sounds. Someone on the voice recording team mistranslated bunny as Barney, so every time you summon a rabbit familiar they yell Come on Barney! Still, it adds a ridiculous, cheesy charm, if you can tolerate it.

Ten years after its initial release, in 2008, Square-Enix ported Star Ocean 2 to the PSP to accompany the remake of the first game, now given the subtitle Second Evolution. The chain of evolution is a little confusing the SO1 PSP remake took many aspects from SO2 while making a few upgrades, all of which were carried forward to SO2 on the PSP. However, its not really a remake, but rather an enhanced port.

The biggest addition is the full voice acting for nearly every scene (discounting minor NPC interactions). As with the remake of the first game, its a professional job, with Spike Spencer taking on the role of Claude and Claudia Lenz (AKA Eden Riegel) as Rena. The secondary characters are great too, especially Precis, whose loopy valley girl lilt makes her goofy lines work. However, theres no way to turn off the voices, and while you can skip through it, it makes skipping through dialogue slower. The battle voices are much, much better, though there is something missing about the goofiniess of the PS1 original. Some things that were nonsensical before are changed too Claudes victory speech of Well, thats somewhere around 80 points! was changed to something like Id say thats about a 8 out of 10 to make it clearer that hes ranking their battle performance.

The translation has also been completely redone. The PS1 version, done by SCEA, isnt as bad as some of their other slipshod efforts (Final Fantasy Tactics, Legend of Dragoon), but it was still fairly middling, with much characterization removed and plenty of awkward dialogue. The new translation is much better, although, along with the voice acting, highlights the fact that the source material often wasnt very good to begin with. Along with this, many items and other names have been altered.

All of the major characters also have portraits to accompany their dialogue. These arent bad, but compared to the original PS1 designs, theyre a little too clean and generic looking, seeming like they came out one of the Tales games. Rena also looks a little too young, considering shes supposed to be 18. Its also pretty weird that they didnt bother to give Ronyx a portrait hes not a major part of the plot, but he was one of the stars of the first game, so he deserves that much! There are also a few new anime FMV cutscenes using the new art, most of which is decent, but the new anime-style vocal theme isnt a patch on Sakurabas instrumental work.

Some of the prerendered backgrounds, the ones that scroll horizontally, were made to fit naturally into the PSPs widescreen view. Others had to be stretched out in order to fit the whole screen. The overall quality is mixed, but generally you cant tell anything looks too out of whack unless you directly compare them to their originals. The sprites are identical but look a little blurrier, to mask the pixellation. The battle backgrounds have been changed a bit, and make the transition to widescreen smoother since they werent prerendered to begin with. They look cleaner, though some of the obstacles, like the falling boulders, have been removed. The world map has also been completely redesigned with cleaner textures, though it has a lower draw distance and more fog. The voice quality is improved, but the music sounds a little worse, since its missing the reverb of its PS1 counterpart.

The battle system carries forward some of the changes made to the PSP port of the first Star Ocean, primarily in giving every melee character a three-hit combo by default instead of just one attack repeated over and over. This alone makes the game slightly easier, but there are other balance tweaks too, particularly in making spell casters more powerful and reducing the time it takes to cast magic. To balance this out, the spell combinations, where you could cast two specific spells at the same time for a super powerful attack, have been removed. These were extremely difficult to pull off to begin with, so its no big loss. Other quality of life improvements are nice too, like the speeding up of spell and item crafting animations, and various glitches have been fixed to.

Again, as with the SO1 PSP port, Welch from SO3 has been added as a playable character, and with her are new Private Actions and endings. She feels even more out of place and redundant here though, especially since shes not all that different from Precis.

Overall, any upgrade that makes substantial changes to a well-loved product is going to be met with some resistance by fans, especially the translation and battle system tweaks, as well as the new voices and artwork. Still, in general, its an improvement over the PS1 release, and should be regarded as the definitive version.

In 2015, to accompany the release of Star Ocean 5, the PSP version was ported to the PS3, PS4 and Vita, which was only released in Japan. Other than a new intro song and the addition of trophies, its identical.

Taken altogether, Star Ocean 2 is in equal measures beautiful and messy. The story is functional and rarely offensive, and while aspects of the skill system and the optional content are frustrating, theyre welcoming to people to either like to futz with (and break) gameplay systems or those who enjoy replayability.

But more importantly, the game represents a branch of JRPGs that was never fully explored. Star Ocean 2, with its non-combat skills and optional stuff, takes after Western RPGs, where non-linear and experimentation are rewarded. The effect of Final Fantasys cinematic aspirations meant that many other games in the genre followed in its footsteps. This included Star Ocean, which scaled back all of these aspects and replaced them with far more ambitious, but generally worse, storytelling. Its these reasons why Star Ocean 2 is regarded as the best of the series.

The PS1 release of Star Ocean: The Second Story was successful in North America, but was especially popular in Japan, where it led to a manga and anime series called Star Ocean EX.

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Star Ocean: The Second Story Hardcore Gaming 101

By Insure.com - Last updated: Dec. 7, 2009

Proper maintenance is key.

Many homes built prior to 1950 have a type of electrical wiring known as "knob and tube." This wiring consists of porcelain insulating tubes that contain wires whereas modern wiring is usually run through plastic or PVC tubes. The porcelain tubes pass through beams, rafters, and walls, and porcelain knobs are used to carry the wire around corners.

At times, homeowners with this older wiring can find it difficult to obtain insurance on such homes because some insurance companies are skittish about taking on a house they perceive as risky.

Many insurers require an inspection to show that the coating on the wiring is in good condition. If it is, they may write you a policy. If the coating is cracked or deteriorating, or if a determination can't be made, the insurer may ask the homeowner to hire a qualified electrician for further evaluation and/or repairs.

Because older houses often have a lower capacity in their wiring systems, homeowners should make sure they don't have too many electrical gadgets plugged in, such as computers, stereos, and so forth. An electrical overload could easily result in a fire.

Knob and tube wiring may continue to be safe to use. Proper maintenance is the key. Where wire insulation is brittle or cracked, it should be replaced, according to Mark W. Earley, assistant vice president and chief electrical engineer for the National Fire Protection Association. Earley points out that proper maintenance is important with all electrical system components.

State Farm Insurance Co., for example, doesn't look favorably on houses with knob and tube wiring, says Phil Supple, a company spokesperson. Supple points to two concerns: First is the age of the house. "Because knob and tube was generally used so long ago, we are concerned about the deterioration of the electrical system as a whole," Supple explains.

Second, State Farm worries about the lack of a ground wire with this style of wiring. Knob and tube consists of two wires: a "hot" one that carries electricity to its destination and a "neutral" one that completes the circuit. Modern wiring systems reduce the chances for creating a fire hazard through the use of a grounding wire.

Having a circuit breaker can help lower the risk for a fire in a home with knob and tube wiring.

State Farm requires a certificate of inspection from a qualified electrician before it will insure an older home, and if the electrician gives a favorable assessment, the company may consider writing insurance for the house.

Mike Johnston, education coordinator for codes and standards for the International Association of Electrical Standards, agrees that the lack of a ground wire can be a problem, especially if the wiring is old and in shoddy shape.

Some insurers may also point to the lack of circuit breakers as a potential problem with knob and tube wiring. Having a circuit breaker can help lower the risk for a fire in a home with knob and tube wiring.

In the end, any homeowner with knob and tube wiring, or the potential buyer of such a house, should hire an electrician to give the system a complete check. If an inspection uncovers problems, you should make the necessary repairs for personal safety as well as insurance concerns.

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Insuring an old home that has knob and tube wiring

Land clearing for residential or commercial property in Houston, Spring, Cypress, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Tomball and Conroe. We are your local land clearing and site work professionals.

Land clearing is a very broad subject that covers many different types of jobs and methods. Just like your vision, each job is unique, requiring the correct configuration of equipment types and sizes.

Daniel Dean has the experience and equipment to deliver your vision for the clearing of your land, whether residential or commercial.

Having proper equipment makes a lot of difference. Lowering costs and improving efficiency is what we do! We will listen to you, discuss your goals, and work out the best plan to meet or exceed them. Call Daniel Dean: 281-356-3326

Clearing land for residential development is the most sensitive type of property development performed. You can trust Daniel Dean with your future home site.

Your land is perhaps your most valuable investment. It must be cleared the right way. Youll live there and look at it every day. If you want the most professional and knowledgeable person in the business, you want Daniel Dean.

Since 1993 Daniel Dean has helped people create their dream. We are passionate about our work and enjoy helping people. Identifying your needs are essential for land development.Our comprehensive checklist includes many options so there are no surprises. We want the right project design for your needs.

Land clearing has to be done in a specific order so your desired end result is obtained. If you have mature trees that are important, well keep them healthy.This will ultimately affect the placement of your house. If youre not sure what you want, we have the experience and creativity when starting with a rough product. This includes wooded lots and custom projects as well.

Daniel Dean provides all site work and other services related to residential land clearing, including:

Typical commercial land clearing contracts in Houston and the surrounding areas include: shopping centers, dealerships, apartments, sub divisions, malls, restaurants and preparing the land for re-sale opportunities.

Clearing commercial land is a lot more straight forward than residential property clearing. With commercial land clearing, very few trees are left. Usually just along property lines, trees are knocked over with the stumps in tact. The timber is merchandised, and the debris is raked and piled. After the debris is out of the way, we will blade the property to a smooth surface.

There are three main options of disposing of the debris on a commercial clearing job:

This is typically the most expensive option of commercial land clearing. This is done on the smaller jobs that are too small to do pit burning or debris grinding. Loading and hauling the debris into boxes are usually done at properties that are less than 2-4 acres.

Grinding and hauling is usually done on jobs that are too big to load into boxes and haul it off site. They are often too small to pit burn as well.When we grind the debris it is turned into mulch and taken to plants for fuel for boilers or mulch yards instead of being wasted in a land fill.

This is done on larger jobs that are away from high profile areas or other buildings or residential areas. In many areas, such as south of Houston, environmental regulations prohibit commercial burning.

Land clearing of commercial property is a big part of our business at Daniel Dean. Whether it is acre, 5 acres, or 200 acres of land, we are set up for it. Big or small we do it all.

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Land Clearing Houston - Daniel Dean Land Clearing

Many people do not realize how highly customizable a driveway, parking lot, or roadway can be. There are many different options available. We do not approach a project with a cookie cutter mentality. Instead, we know that communication is the first step in ensuring that your driveway and parking lots needs are not just met, but your expectations are exceeded.

From our services for new asphalt and paving to the repair of driveways, parking lots and private roads, Dominics Paving does it all. Also, we offer concrete and stonework for patios, walkways, and walls.

We also believe in being environmentally-friendly. Most of the materials we use are 100 percent recyclable. Did you know that asphalt is this countrys most recycled material? We only use road grade materials, too, and we have some of the industrys leading warranties.

While you may be leery of any paving company, due to experiences of the past that left a negative taste in your mouth, here are some reasons to dissolve your mistrust and assure you of the quality and integrity of Dominics Paving.

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Asphalt Driveway Parking Lot Paving Contracting Company

Choosing the right driveway for your property is an important decision, especially as it will likely be the first and last thing you and your guests will see when entering your home. Driveways are a focal point of any house, but with so many different styles and types to choose from, it may seem like a daunting task trying to find the best drive for you. Below we have put together a list of driveway ideas, along with helpful photos of drives and paths, to help you find your perfect driveway.

Driveways are available in any number of different colours, shapes, sizes and designs. There are a number of different materials that can be used to create your driveway, and different materials can be combined to create a unique patio, path or driveway design for your property.

A well maintained driveway should last for several decades, so it is important to choose a design that will complement your house and will cater to your needs. Whether you are installing a patio or updating your driveway, we have put together some of the the most popular driveway design and style ideas in the UK.

Block paved driveways are extremely durable, reliable and aesthetically pleasing. They have the added benefit of being easily repaired, as a damaged block can simply be removed and replaced.

Block paved driveways are available in a range of different colours and styles, making them suitable for most types of home and property. Different coloured bricks and patterns can add a unique effect to your drive.

Irregular shapes and sized paving blocks

90 Degree Herringbone Pavers

PatternedHerringbone Pavers

Gravel can be used for a wide range of different applications, including paths and driveways. Gravel driveways provide flexibility, with any number of designs available. Gravel comes in a range of different sizes and colours, and once a sturdy foundation has been laid, it is simple to change your gravel to a new colour by simply removing the old and pouring in the new gravel.

Gravel driveways are also a great safety feature, as the loud crunching sounds made when walking on gravel result in fewer burglaries, according the UK police. Below are a few examples where gravel drives and paths have been used.

Gravel Front Driveway

Gravel Pathway

Concrete is one of the most commonly used materials for driveways throughout the UK. It is extremely strong and hard-wearing, and has a proven track record of being a reliable and long-lasting material. Concrete driveways are great value for money, as they are cheaper than many alternatives.

Over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in the popularity of pattern imprinted concrete drives and paths. The driveways transform the look of a concrete driveway from dull to spectacular, with colours and patterns to suit all styles and tastes.

Imprinted concrete can be used in most locations, and provides the flexibility to customise your drive and paths exactly as you wish. Below are a few photos of driveways to give you some concrete driveway ideas.

Plain Concrete Path

Pattern Imprinted Driveway Path

Crazy paving provides a truly unique driveway, with no two being the same. Crazy paver blocks are different from one another, and it takes skill and experience to correctly lay the irregular shaped pavers.

Crazy Paving is available in a range of different sizes, shapes and styles, allowing for a great deal of creativity. As mortar is required, you can tailor the colour of your mortar to compliment your home and the pavers.

Many people believe that crazy pavers are a cheaper alternative to block paving, as the pavers themselves are often less expensive to buy. However, as the pavers require more skill and time to lay, the price is often the same, if not higher.

Grey Crazy Paving

Resin bound and bonded driveways provide a high level of customisation, and are available in a range of different designs. There are a wide range of colours to choose from, and patterns can be formed to create a unique drive.

Resin gravel can be used for a number of different purposes, from drives and paths to patios and even indoors. Resin driveway designs can be tailored to suit your requirements and tastes, making resin driveways a popular choice throughout the UK.

Resin Driveway

To many people, tarmac driveways may not seem appealing, but they do have a great track record of providing excellent driveways. Tarmac can be laid in any design you require, and is also now available in a range of different colours.

Unlike most other types of driveway materials, there are far fewer customisations available. However, to overcome this, many tarmac driveways are used in conjunction with other materials, such as block pavers.

Tarmac Driveway, with block paved path and concrete border

The addition of Driveway Gates can provide added security and safety. Not only will gates help keep unwanted people and animals out, but they can also ensure that your pets and any young members of your family are kept in, and away from dangers, such as a busy road.

There are a number of different types of gates available, which can make it difficult to choose the best for you. The most common types of driveway gates include metal and wooden gates. As well as the style of gate, you can also choose between swinging or sliding doors, and even automatic gates.

Wooden Driveway Gates

Metal Driveway Gates

Before deciding on the perfect drive for your property, it is generally a good idea to see and understand exactly what it will look like. Below are a few suggestions of where you may be able to find driveway ideas and inspiration, if you cant find them in your neighbourhood.

Gravel If you are unfortunate enough to live somewhere that doesnt have a number of examples in your own neighbourhood, dont despair, as gravel can often be easily found in many publically accessible locations, from royal palaces and stately homes to local parks.

Tarmac Most people know exactly what tarmac looks like from looking at our roads, but it is a little harder to picture what a tarmac driveway may look like. A few places you may be able to find a tarmac include caravan and holiday parks, airports, and coloured footpaths.

Block Paving Commonly found in pedestrianised walk areas and high street footpaths, pavers come in a range of different sizes and shapes. There are many paver showrooms throughout the country, so you can drop by and check out a wide array of different styles.

Crazy Paving If you are looking for fabricated crazy paving, which is sold similar to block paving, then you can head down to your local paving showroom or DIY store. However, if you are looking for more traditional crazy paving, head to older properties and parks, where you may be able to find some great examples.

With each of the different types and styles of driveways available in the UK there both benefits and disadvantages that you should consider. In some cases, choosing the wrong driveway can be a costly mistake that may need to be replaced.

Gravel driveways are fantastic if you want a drive that will help deter potential burglars, but if you are likely to have less mobile visitors, they may have trouble wheeling their rollator across the sinking gravel.

Tarmac has a proven track record for use with vehicles and are used for most roads throughout the UK, but if you are going to have a static car, campervan, trailer or boat sitting in the one spot for some time, they surface can become warped and dented.

Crazy paving is not only one of the cheapest options available, it can also look visually stunning. However, if not done right, the drive pavers can become loose, and the entire structure can become unstable.

With imprinted concrete, owners need to consider the ongoing maintenance that is required to ensure that it retains it new look. This includes ongoing sealing and cleaning, which help prevent the colours flaking, or unappealing white patches.

Like any of the driveways you have seen above? We provide professional driveway installation throughout the UK, with the largest range of driveway customisation and services. We cater to all budgets, from small affordable garden paths to large driveways, and even commercial projects. For a great deal on your driveway installation, or more detail on the available driveways, please fill in the form below.

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Driveway Ideas - Block Paving & Driveways

In this part-time online Interior Decorator Certificate Course you will learn important principles and practical step-by-step techniques for interior decorating and getting started in a career as a professional interior decorator.

You will learn: what an interior decorator does and how to decorate, how to develop your skills to succeed in an interior decorating career, how to get hired for a job as an interior decorator, and how to start your own interior decorating business.

Imagine having a rewarding, high-paying job that lets you use your creativity to make homes and businesses more beautiful and comfortable. Welcome to the world of interior decorating!

Most interior decorators are hired to decorate residences, whether the entire home or a single room such as the living room, kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom.

Interior decorators are also hired to decorate interiors of a wide variety of businesses. Perhaps you can imagine yourself doing interior decorating for an art gallery, boutique, corporate head office, hotel, law firm, model home, museum store, restaurant, or spa.

As an interior decorator you will have the satisfaction of making your vision a reality. You will meet interesting people, and because many people who hire interior decorators are wealthy, you will likely spend time in many beautiful homes.

If you start your own interior decorating business you will enjoy the freedom and financial rewards of being your own boss. And perhaps most importantly your interior decorating work will be fun, interesting, and personally rewarding.

The Interior Decorator Certificate Course is an online learning program with suggested readings from the textbook (FabJob Guide to Become an Interior Decorator). This course is self directed, which means you may study and complete assignments at times that are most convenient for you from the comfort of your own home.

This part-time Interior Decorator Certificate Course Online has a recommended completion date of 6 weeks from the start of the program, however, you may choose to complete the Interior Decorator Certificate Course Online in as little as 4 weeks or as long as 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.

The Interior Decorator Certificate Course Online has been created to allow you to complete it without any teaching assistance. However, if you have questions or need assistance, you can receive help from a Faculty Member throughout the 6 weeks of the course. Your Faculty Member is a valuable resource person who can provide you with personal teaching assistance to help you succeed in the course and advice to help you succeed in the career.

COURSE STARTS: March 11, 2019

COURSE LENGTH:6 weeks part-time(You may choose to complete it any time from 4 to 12 weeks)

COURSE TOPICS: See Course Topics in the tab below for a list of topics covered in the Interior Decorator Certificate Course Online.

HOW TO REGISTER: Click REGISTER NOW below to register for the Interior Decorator Certificate Course Online

This all-inclusive Interior Decorator Certificate Course Online package includes:

You can have all this for an incredible price. It can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to take other programs. (We found courses based on old editions of our guides with registration fees of up to $999 and more.) We are able to offer you online courses at a significantly lower cost to you because of our expertise from almost 20 years of producing the leading online guides for non-traditional careers.

Our online Interior Decorator Certificate Course has previously been offered for a registration fee of $297 U.S. and includes a textbook and professional membership a total value of almost $377. SPRING SPECIAL: This all-inclusive registration package for the Interior Decorator Certificate Course is priced at only $97 U.S. for the March 11, 2019 course.

Click the REGISTER NOW button below to register for the Interior Decorator Certificate Course.

If the course is full, please email iapcollege@fabjob.com to be notified when a new course date is scheduled.

Enrollment is limited and registration is on a first come first served basis, so we recommend that you register early for the Interior Decorator Certificate course to avoid disappointment.

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Interior Decorator Certificate Course Online

Stylemaster Patios is the fastest growing home improvement company in Sydney & NSW and we lead the way in providing the latest trends in home improvements. We believe in providing style, quality, service and value for our customers.

The team of experts at Stylemaster Patios will help you design your perfect outdoor entertaining area, carport, patio, covered deck or extension. We have a huge range of roof and awning styles available, including Skillion (Flat), Dome, Gable, Dutch Gable, Skillion/Gable Combination, Opening Louvred Roof, Flyover and Wave.

Stylemaster will organise your project from start to finish, including council approval if required, leaving you to just admire and enjoy the finished product. We are fully licensed, are able to provide Home Owners Warranty Insurance and only use top quality materials, including 100% Australian-made BlueScope steel.

David and his team have been helping clients realise the full potential of their home for over 20 years. If you want the best, call Stylemaster Patios today to arrange a free on-site design appraisal and quote.

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Stylemaster Patios | Carports, Extensions & Covered Decks