Roofs play a very important role in protecting your home. A durable cover will protect you from environmental elements like snow and rain. But roofs age and are frequently prone to leaks, drooping, and sagging. If you notice these signs, it means your roof needs replacement. But how much does a new roof cost? We are going to discuss this topic in detail in this guide.
The average roof replacement cost depends on the size of the roof, the materials, and the labor charges. If you are wondering “how much does a new roof cost,” here’s the answer:
Average Cost
$10,000
Lowest Cost
$8,500
Highest Cost
$80,000
How Much Does a New Roof Cost?
The cost of roof replacement depends on many different factors. Here’s a list of the major things that add to the overall cost:
1. The Cost of Roofing per Square Foot
The expenditure of new roof installation typically ranges from $4 to $40 per square foot. The average comes to around $7. This includes both materials and labor. This translates to approximately $400 to $4,000 for each roofing square, with an average cost of $700.
Measuring the dimensions of your roof can be a bit challenging if you don’t have authentic blueprints. It depends on factors like the incline and body of your roof and the quantity of shingles required. In such cases, it’s often best to consult a professional who can accurately determine your roof’s exact size.
2. Labor
On average, labor typically makes up around 60% of the total project cost. If your project amounts to $10,000, you can expect to spend $6,000 on labor.
The service typically costs between $2 and $7 for each square foot. This labor cost can vary based on factors like the slope of your roof and the complexity. Your contractor might charge by the hour, usually between $40 and $60, but for bigger projects. Remember to enquire about how much to replace a roof before you hire a contractor.
3. Materials
The remaining 40% to 50% of the total cost to replace your roof is allocated for materials. The material of the roofing you choose has a big influence on how much it will cost to replace your roof.
If you go for basic asphalt shingles, you’ll spend between $2,000 and $4,000 just on the material. On the other hand, choices like copper can set you back more than $40,000.
4. Roof Pitch
The pitch of your roof impacts both the roof’s size and the labor costs for replacement. As the pitch increases, the roof’s surface area gets larger. While the majority of roofs have pitches between 3:12 and 6:12, steeper roofs need certain equipment and more time for installation.
If your roof requires special equipment, you’ll have to pay an additional $1,000 to $3,000 in labor costs. Roof pitches exceeding 6:12 are generally considered more complex and risky to handle.
Roofing Costs by Material Type
The selection of your roofing material plays a significant role in the overall costs. The most common and budget-friendly options are composite or asphalt shingles because they are lightweight and easy to install.
However, even within this classification, you’ll find variations like plain three-tab shingles and superior architectural shingles. Tiles are another prevalent roofing material with multiple options like clay, ceramic, wood, metal, etc.
A metal roofing option that comes at a higher cost than corrugated metal.
9. Flat roofing materials
This type of roof estimate is between $5.50 and $7.50 per square foot for materials.
10. Steel shingles
They are more expensive than asphalt but drop into the mid-range for metal options.
11. Zinc tiles
The second-most costly alternative due to their restricted availability.
Here are the average costs per square foot for these roofing materials. It includes the installation price as well.
Roofing Material
Cost per Square Foot
Premium asphalt shingles
$4.50 to $8.25
Basic asphalt shingles
$4.25 to $4.95
Aluminum shingles
$8.50 to $13.75
Cedar shingles or shakes
$8 to $14.30
Concrete tiles
$11 to $19.80
Clay tiles
$12 to $24.75
Copper tiles
$21 to $39.70
Corrugated metal
$5.50 to $11.50
Slate tiles
$12 to $22
Standing seam metal panels
$10 to $17.05
Flat roofing materials
$5.50 to $7.50
Steel shingles
$8 to $12.65
Zinc tiles
$18 to $28
Roof Cost by House Size
Your house’s size also affects the cost of replacing the roof. Larger homes require more materials and labor, which increases the cost. Here’s how this cost range breaks down for different sizes of homes:
House Size (Square Foot)
Roof Cost Range
1,000
$4,500 to $6,000
1,500
$6,750 to $9,000
2,000
$9,000 to $12,000
2,500
$11,250 to $15,000
3,000
$13,500 to $18,000
Cost by Roof Size
When you have a bigger roof, replacing it takes more time and material. Materials and roofing costs are often measured in “roofing squares,” which represent 10-by-10-foot areas equal to 100 square feet.
A 1,000-square-foot house generally has a roof that’s about 1,054 square feet, including the slope and overhang. The specific shape of your roof can also affect the cost.
Here’s a breakdown of the average cost for different roof sizes in square feet:
Roof Size (in Square Feet)
Average Cost
1,000
$7,000
1,100
$7,700
1,200
$8,400
1,500
$10,500
1,600
$11,200
1,700
$11,900
1,800
$12,600
1,900
$13,300
2,000
$14,000
2,500
$17,500
3,000
$21,000
Additional Roof Replacement Cost Considerations
Apart from the above-mentioned costs, you may also have to pay additional fees. Here are some things that add to the overall cost:
1. Additional Roofing Projects
Most homeowners go for additional roofing projects to increase the aesthetic appeal and add functionality. It can be anything, from adding gutters to chimneys. While these projects might add to your initial roofing expenses, they can actually save you both time and money in the long run. If you add more projects when replacing the roof, it will increase the cost. Top of Form
2. Old Roof Removal
The cost of removing your existing roof can cost around $1,250 on average. This portion of the task usually runs between $1 and $5 per square foot. Your contractor might charge you separately for this.
Several factors can influence the cost of removing your existing roof. More coatings in the underlayment and heftier materials generally result in higher labor charges. Apart from that, you may also have to pay more for renting a dumpster or transporting the aged materials away.
3. Underlayment Repair
If there are prevalent structural problems under your old roof, it will increase the cost. Common problems include decaying wood, leaks, gaps, or pest issues. Roof repair costs can vary from $150 to $7,000, depending on the specific problem. Here are some specific costs that might be involved:
Repair Type
Average Cost Range
Roof Water Damage Restoration
$400 to $1,700
Underlayment Replacement
$2 to $3 per square foot
Repair Roof Trusses
$500 to $5,000
Vent Repair
$75 to $250
Roof Insulation Replacement
$1,000 to $2,500
Repair Fascia
$450 to $4,000
Ridge Cap Repair
$200 to $750
Roof Features
The features on your roof can affect how complex and expensive the replacement process becomes. Things like ducts and skylights can be vulnerable spots for leaks and may need special materials and extra time to be properly sealed.
For a fixed skylight, you can expect to pay approximately $150 per unit. If you need to replace a chimney, the cost can exceed $5,000.
Roof Add-On Features
Average Cost Range
Fixed Skylight
$150 per unit + $500+ for labor
Replacing a Chimney
$5,000 or more
Partial Rebuild
$1,000 to $3,000
cost
You might need to pay an additional fee of $50 to $500 for removing and disposing of debris from the roof. You can choose to handle the cleanup yourself or add it to the replacement cost. However, keep in mind that your contractor likely has experience dealing with the removal of heavy materials.
Should I Repair or Replace My Roof?
If your roof is old and damaged, you might want to repair or replace it. Repair work is cheap and less time-consuming in comparison to replacement. However, if the roof is in a really bad condition, you should go for replacement.
Signs Your Roof Needs Repair
You can likely opt for roof leak repair if:
Your roof made of asphalt shingle is less than 10 years old.
The damage is limited to a small or shallow area.
Your roof is built with durable materials like slate, metal, or tile.
You plan to stay in your current home for a while and don’t feel the need to modify your roof.
Signs Your Roof Needs Replacement
While fixing a roof is generally cheaper than a full replacement, it’s not always the best solution. Roof repair is essentially a temporary fix. If your roof is in bad condition, you may end up paying more for restorations than for a replacement. Consider replacing the roof in the subsequent situations:
Your roof is experiencing structural failure.
Your asphalt shingle roof is more than 10 years old.
The damage is severe, like exposed decking or water deterioration under the moisture barrier.
You intend to sell your home in the following few years and want to increase its value.
You’re looking to enhance your home’s energy efficiency.
If the damage is limited to one flank of your house, a partial replacement could be an option. However, keep in mind your long-term budget because replacing your roof in phases tends to be more costly than a complete replacement all at once.
DIY vs. Professional Replacement
You can fix small roof problems like leaks by yourself, but it’s not safe to do a complete roof replacement on your own. Roof work can be dangerous, even if your house is one story tall.
Because you’re working on a slanted surface, there is a high chance of falls. Professional roofers have proper training and safety gear for this kind of work.
Installing a roof also requires specific tools like ladders, shovels for removing old roofing, nail guns, and more. Professional roofing companies already have these tools and know the rules for your area.
If you try to do it yourself, you won’t get a warranty for your new roof. Moreover, your home insurance might not cover you if something goes wrong.
Roof replacement is a complex job, and it’s one of the biggest home improvement projects you can take on. We strongly recommend hiring an experienced roofing contractor instead of trying to do it on your own.
FAQs
What time of year is cheapest to replace roof?
Winter is the cheapest season for roof replacement.
How much does a new roof cost in Texas?
Roof replacement can cost anywhere between $6,000 and $20,000 in Texas.
What is the cheapest type of roof for a house?
Asphalt Shingles are the cheapest type of roofing material.
Conclusion
How much does a new roof cost – it depends on the types of material, size of the roof, and many other factors. In this guide, we have highlighted all the major cost factors for roof replacement.
Even though getting a new roof can be costly, it’s not a wise idea to try to save money here. Your roof is crucial for keeping your home safe, and if you go for low-quality shingles or poor installation, you might end up needing another new roof much sooner than you’d like.
