Roofing cost can vary widely depending on the size and complexity of your roof, type of materials you use, as well as your location.
Roofing Calculator
Roof Cost Calculator estimates accurate local installation prices for 10 different roofing materials.All price estimates include labor and materials - total roof installation cost for new or retrofit projects, by a professional contractor.
Calculate your roof cost now:
Roofing calculator estimates costs for the following items:
- All materials
- Labor
- Tear off and dump fees
- Building permits
- Profit & overhead
You will see three price estimates - LOW-END, MID-RANGE and HIGH-END. These are based on the National Average cost of a new roof.
To better understand which price range you should choose, check out our Roof Value Guide.
To get local quotes, please provide your Zip Code and fill out an estimate request.
Average Roof Costs For:
Most People Spent:
$4,190 - $5,740 (For a 1600 sq. ft. Roof)
Low End
$3,931
Average
$5,148
High End
$9,371
See costs in your area
Start Here - Enter Your Zip Code
Our calculator is based on the US roof market, and prices are calculated in USD. While Canadian market is very similar, due to currency fluctuations, you should also use the current exchange rate to get a more accurate number.
Number of roofing projects estimated by RoofCalc.org since 2012:
Roofing materials prices
This tool provides quotes for 10 most popular roofing materials, which can be grouped by type (Asphalt, Metal, Flat and other/specialty products).Here are average prices that contractors across the US charge to install/replace a 1500 sq. ft. roof, including removal of one layer of old shingles.
Installation prices for most popular roofing materials in US:
All prices are for an average 1 story walkable ranch/cape house, and include labor, materials, dump fees, building permit, roofer overhead and profit. Below are real national average costs for each roofing material that you can estimate with our roof calculator:
| Architectural Asphalt Shingles | $5,312 | ( $357 per square ) |
| 3-tab Asphalt Shingles | $5,247 | ( $352 per square ) |
| Standing Seam Metal Roof | $12,235 | ( $821 per square ) |
| Metal Shingles Roof | $12,441 | ( $835 per square ) |
| R-panel / 5V-crimp Metal Roof | $9,282 | ( $623 per square ) |
| EPDM Rubber Roof | $9,087 | ( $610 per square ) |
| TPO Flat Roof | $10,021 | ( $673 per square ) |
| PVC Flat Roof | $11,047 | ( $741 per square ) |
| Cedar/Wood Shingles or Shakes | $11,572 | ( $777 per square ) |
| Natural Slate | $17,345 | ( $1,164 per square ) |
| Synthetic Slate | $14,776 | ( $992 per square ) |
| Clay/Concrete Tile Roof | $13,545 | ( $909 per square ) |
How to use Roofing Calculator
Step 1: Enter you house/building/structure ground dimensions, including roof overhangs (if your roof has overhangs, ADD [overhang width * 2] to each house side that has an overhang).Step 2: Select roof slope/pitch/angle. This will help us accurately calculate your roof area.
Step 3: Select roof complexity. For Cape/ranch homes - use "simple". For Victorian type homes, with dormers / towers and multiple slope sections - use "cut-up". For moderately difficult roofs - use "medium". Use your best judgement for this option. If your roof is very cut up, and you select the "simple" setting, your estimate will NOT be accurate. So, when you get price quotes from local roofers, they will be much higher.
Step 4: Select tear-off (old shingles removal). We recommend to always remove old materials, before installing a new product. This will greatly extend the life of your roof. However, tear-off is not required, and won't even void the warranty for most materials, as long as you have no more than 2 total layers.
Step 5: Select your home/building height. Number of floors affects ease of access, and as a result the total price.
Step 6: Choose your desired material: 30/50 years Asphalt Shingles, Metal Shingles, Standing Seam for steep slope application, and PVC / TPO / EPDM rubber / Built-up /TAR & Grave for low slope & flat roofs.
Step 7: Select your region (use the map below to match your state to the region).
US Regional Roof Prices Map
"Local" Prices - REGION Setting To get a more accurate calculation, select where you live to get an average price for this region. This will not be 100% accurate, but will work for most people.
What's the best roofing material?
Many homeowners looking to do a re-roof, are not sure which material would be appropriate for their house and budget. Here is a quick summary of the most popular roofing materials and their main features.From a roofer's perspective, hands down the best roofing choice for any mid-range to high-end home is metal roofing. A metal roof offers the best value, longevity, ROI, curb appeal, and looks beautiful on both traditional and modern architecture homes.
Metal roofs come in a wide range of profiles and styles that replicate other popular materials, such as shingles and shakes. Of course, traditional metal roofing panels are also very popular on contemporary homes.
If you are looking for a more budget friendly material, asphalt shingles remain the Number 1 roof installed on both residential homes and commercial buildings across the US. Within the class of shingles there are many grades, profiles and styles, from very cheap ones to premium shingles that cost as much as a metal roof.
However, because shingles have many problems with leaks and don't stand up to severe weather, its not worth it to invest in expensive shingles, if more durable roofing options are available for the same price or slightly more.
Overall, asphalt shingles are a solid choice if you need a re-roof on a budget, or for low-end to med-range homes, priced under $400-500K
Homes or home additions that have a low pitch roof, a flat roof membrane is the most appropriate choice. The best options are single ply roofing membranes, such as EPDM, TPO and PVC roofing. Of these EPDM rubber is the cheapest option with the most potential problems for leaks and repairs, while PVC is the most premium options, with the longest service life and top notch durability from bad weather.
When picking a roofing material, the most important factor to consider is the climate you live in. If your region experiences severe weather, hot to cold temperature fluctuations, snow storms, heavy rains, winds, etc, its worth it to the invest in the most durable roof you can afford. Otherwise, you will never see the light of day from constant roof leaks and other problems. Ultimately, it becomes too expensive to have a cheap roof if you live in a region with poor weather.
On the other hand, if you live in a mild climate, you can get away with installing a fairly cheap asphalt shingles roof, and it will last without giving you too many problems. In these regions asphalt shingles roofs live out their longest possible service life around 20-25 years.
Asphalt shingles cost
On average, asphalt shingles cost $3.20 - 3.40 per square foot, including materials and installation. Composite shingles (3-tab and architectural) are the cheapest roofing material out there. They are also DIY friendly and quick to install.Despite the growing number of options, most roofs installed in the US (about 67.53%) are still the tried and true asphalt shingles. This is because roof shingles offer a good combination of value, aesthetics and durability.
Today, there are hundreds of colors, profiles and styles to choose from, and modern shingles roofs have never looked better. The days when an asphalt roof appeared very cheap are long gone. Thanks to technological advancements, even inexpensive shingles roofs boast great curb appeal.
Shingles are a good option if you are looking to do a quick roof replacement on a budget before selling your house.
On the downside, asphalt shingles offer a rather short service life, about 12-16 years on average. They are also prone to leaks and may require frequent repairs. This is especially true if you live in a climate with regular cycles of rains, snow, ice dams, and severe temperature fluctuations. An asphalt roof is simply not designed to withstand harsh weather for many years, without breaking down. However, these roofs do much better and last longer in a milder climate.
Here is a tool that shows asphalt shingles prices, based on YOUR roof size (move the slider left or right to adjust measurements).
Install Asphalt Shingles Roof:
(222,648 projects)
Roof size: 1490 sq. ft.
National Average Cost
$5,279
See Costs in Your Area!
Start Here - Enter your zip
Metal roofing cost
A viable alternative to classic asphalt shingles are metal shingles, made either of steel or aluminum. They provide great curb appeal, along with superior durability and weather protection.The average price for metal roofing shingles is $8.35 per square foot. More upscale metal roofs such as standing seam panels and stone coated metal shingles cost $8.5-14.75 per square foot.
In general, metal roofing has enjoyed a major spike in popularity over the last decade. Out of all premium roofing options, metal is the most affordable and offers lasting protection in any climate. The average lifespan of a metal roof is about 50 years, but many last a few decades longer.
For green building enthusiasts and homeowners that want to save the most on heating and cooling costs, metal is also the best material. Most metal roofs are manufactured from 50-80% recycled materials, and are Energy Star rated as a cool roof. This allows homeowners to save anywhere from 15-35% off their monthly energy costs.
Metal panels are also ideally suited for solar installation. In fact, this is the recommended roof for homeowners who are considering powering their homes using solar panels.
Lastly, in regions with inclement weather, metal roofs are the most desired roof for prospective homeowners, since everyone knows how well metal roofs stand up to severe weather conditions. For example, in New England, homes outfitted with a metal roof have a higher ROI, compared to homes that have asphalt or cedar shingles.
Alternative roofing materials
If you are looking for a more upscale and unique looking roofing material than just shingles or metal roofing, consider the following options:-cedar shingles and shakes
- clay or concrete tile
- natural and polymer slate.
Each of these roofing materials boasts a unique curb appeal, and is typically chosen to match a particular architectural home style.
Wood, clay and slate are considered premium roofing materials and cost anywhere from $8-20 per square foot to install. Keep in mind, that repairing these roofs also costs more than regular shingles, because each materials requires special tools and expert technical knowledge.
While pretty much any handy homeowner can install asphalt shingles, this is not the case with any other roofing material. We strongly recommend that you only hire a licensed roofer who works with a particular material you want to install, rather than a "jack of all trades".
Most roof leaks and failures are actually the result of poor installation. In other words, they are often the result of homeowners trying to save a few hundred bucks and going with the cheapest bid.
Roof replacement vs repair
Doing a complete re-roof is a complex and expensive project. Sometimes, full replacement is not necessary, and a repair is the more appropriate course of action.Hiring a pro to repair your roof typically costs around $500-700 for asphalt shingles, and $1,200-1,500 for metal, wood, and clay roofs. Slate repair is a lot more pricey, and can start from $2,000-3,000.
However, doing an expensive roof repair is still thousands of dollars cheaper than replacing the entire roof.
In general, replacement is warranted when your roof is nearing the end of its service life. Its actually best not to wait until the very end of the warranty period and consider replacement as a preemptive measure, before you are hit with sudden leaks and other problems.
The average lifespan of different materials varies broadly from as little as 12-17 years for asphalt shingles, to as much as 100+ years for natural slate.
Here are some telling signs that an asphalt shingles roof need to be replaced:
- Many shingles are noticeably buckling or curling
- A significant number of shingles is missing (check the gutters, you may find many of them there)
- Many shingles are missing in the area of the roof valley (this greatly compromises the roof and makes it susceptible to major water damage)
- Numerous shingles have large visible cracks
- There is visible shingle discoloration as well as dark streaks on many areas of the roof. Overall, it looks very old and ugly.
Another reason why a roof may need to replaced is due to poor installation, which causes continuous leaks and other problems. Sometimes the install can be so bad that its not worth it to keep investing money in repairs.
Moreover, if your roof has sustained major damage due to ice damming, fire, hail, hurricane, or an earthquake, etc, its best to get a new roof.
PRO TIP: do a professional roof inspection every few years to determine what shape your roof is in, and fix any minor issues that are discovered. Paying for proper roof maintenance can add many years of service to your roof.
Factors that drive up roofing costs
Keep in mind that all calculated roof cost estimates are approximate. The real cost to replace your old roof will depend on many variables. Here are the most common ones:Cost of materials: may be affected by changes in the crude oil prices, seasonal rate spikes, local market conditions, supply and demand, as well as natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, etc. We regularly update the calculator, so it reflects current materials prices.
Installation complexity: many factors are at play here, including: design of your roof (simple or cut up), accessibility, roof pitch and size, number of storeys in your house, number of penetrations and valleys, etc. A roofer will be able to provide an accurate estimate only after doing a physical inspection of your roof.
Labor charges: the actual cost of professional installation will depend on local economic conditions, competition among roofers, costs of liability and worker's compensation insurance for the contractor, waste dumping costs, as well as overhead and profits.
See how we came up with the installation prices for this calculator in our roof labor cost guide.
Location: your total roof replacement cost may vary SIGNIFICANTLY, depending on where you live. For example, if you are in the Pacific region (CA, OR, WA, AK), you will pay 18% more than the National Average. If, on the other hand, you are in the West South Central (TX, LA, OK, AK), you will pay 16% less than the National Average.
For more info on how your location affects the cost to install a new roof, go here.
Other Roofing / Building Calculators
- Roof Shingles Calculator - estimates roof area, materials and installation costs of Asphalt Shingles, for Gable and Hip roofs.
- Flat Roof Calculator - estimates replacement costs of low-slope (flat) roofs, single ply membranes (EPDM rubber, PVC & TPO) and built-up roofs (Tar & Gravel, Modified Bitumen), as well as insulation, parapets, penetrations and drains.
- Roof Rafters Calculator - provides material list & prices of lumber for roof rafters / trusses.
- Roof Pitch Calculator - gives you accurate roof slope, based on roof run (width) and rise. Also converts roof pitch to degrees.
- Seamless Gutters Calculator - helps you quickly price out aluminum seamless gutters - includes materials and installation. Note, that rain gutters are an essential part of house waterproofing. They prevent water from getting behind the siding, damaging house walls, insulation and foundation, as well as protect your landscaping.
- Metric Roof Calculator - should be used if you live in Europe, UK, AU, NZ or other country that does not use the Imperial measurements system.
Final Word of Advice for homeowners who want to get the lowest possible price: It's too expensive to buy cheap roofs, as it will cost you double to redo it after it starts leaking within a year. This is from my vast experience.
Average Roof Replacement Cost in US:
|
Low End
$4382
|
Mid Range
$5279
|
High End
$6599
|
|
|
||
I've been a roofer for 15 years, and specialize in Metal Roofing and Flat Roofing.
Have a roofing question or issue? Ask me any roofing question!
Roofing Contractors - join our free Local Roofers directory to get more customers!
There are: 36 Comments
I’m a contractor and what I don’t understand is why most companies will charge thousands more in labor for a metal roof with and easy pitch than shingles when it’s half the time and half the work. I’m tired seeing homeowners get overcharged by contractors who believe less work equals more money, and the richer the client the higher the labor. There is still plenty of money to be made at a fair and reasonable price. I do it everyday. The world is full of greedy fuckers, don’t be one of them.
Taral,
So there are different types of metal roofs. The “easy to install metal roof” is corrugated R-Panel or Classic Rib or 5V Crimp.
Most contractors install these at just 20-25% premium versus Asphalt shingles.
All other metal roofing options are:
EXPENSIVE to buy the materials (starting at $320+ per square)
EXPENSIVE to install, because installation is time consuming and has many complicated details.
EXPENSIVE to market, because there is a much smaller pool of homeowners willing to pay 2-3 times over cost of asphalt.
Finally – what homeowners choose to pay is up to them. Here in Boston, MA area, many roofers charge $600-$700 per square of asphalt shingles! Does that not make cringe??? How about these roofers overcharging homeowners 50% for nothing???
Bottom line – if contractor convinces homeowner to pay more, it is between the two of them, and non of our business. Roofing like any business is a for-profit enterprise.
Leo
Has Matterhorn fixed their issues that you had concerns with?
roofs in maine
There is a lot of really good information on here! We always have customers ask us about price points to getting the different types of roofing materials installed on there homes. Now I can take the information from here and have something to share. Kudos to whoever put this all together!
I’m concerned because I’m trying to decide if CertainTeed Landmark shingles are what I want, because a highly recommended roofer in my area only uses Landmark shingles. Your website says the company is reputable. But I’ve read that the company has had at least two class action lawsuits in the past 7-10 years based on defective products. Additionally, roofers, real estate agents, and homeowners all over the internet are saying that they have experiences premature wearing and cracking, and that CertainTeed does not stand behind their warranties. Does anyone have anything good to say about these shingles?
Christine
You raise good question, but let me give you another perspective.
GAF (the biggest shingles manufacturer in the world) has had several class action suits against it as well (one of which we covered). And yet, they are still the biggest maker out there, and MOST of their shingles do not “experience premature wearing and cracking” …
Actually, every shingles producer has them … and if you read some more, you have lovers and haters of each brand. I read a post on a roofing forum, where the guy said he hates Owen’s Corning shingles, and will never use them again. Then 3 other roofers came and said they love them … go figure.
In my opinion ALL asphalt shingles are not the best product for your home, when you have options like metal and some synthetic roofs. All shingles have problems. However, shingles are the cheapest – that’s why most homeowners install them.
Back to CertainTeed – we actually did a good comparison of Landmark and Timberline (GAF) shingles which you can check out.
Most important aspect is quality installation – which includes:
– tearing off old roofing
– fixing and rotted wood
– having good ventilation
– using quality underlayment (my personal favorite is DeckArmor by GAF, which you can use with Landmarks … but I don’t know how that will go with “system warranty”).
– making sure your contractor / installers do quality work when Flashing, Nailing, doing valleys, etc.
When all of the above is done, even the cheapest 3-tab shingles will last a fairly long time. However, if most of the above are not done, even the thickest, most expensive shingles will fail prematurely.
With that said, I don’t doubt that there are defective shingles… but to me ALL shingles are an inferior product, because its a commodity roof that is DESIGNED to last only 15-20 years, so you or next homeowner would have to buy a new roof, keeping production plants going, and roofers working, and everyone making money (except homeowners)… Its a well oiled machine that I call “US Roofing Industry” … it a part of a genius business plan created 100+ years ago.
About warranties: basic warranty of any shingles (including so-called “lifetime” shingles) does NOT cover anything… I advise you to read it. Here is our in-depth comparison of GAF and CertainTeed shingles warranty. The only warranty that actually covers something is provided when you have “premium/certified” roofers install the product, using ALL components from same manufacturer.
This means that if you want Landmarks installed with GAF DeckArmor (which is what I would do, barring the fact that i’d not have shingles on my home), you would not get this “extended” warranty …
Bottom line – shingles are VERY MUCH the same across different manufacturers, with minor differences. CertainTeed are just as good (in my opinion) as GAF / Owen’s Corning / Malarkey / Tamko / IKO … There is no Toyota/Honda in shingles world … they are all like Kia 20 years ago!
If I was having asphalt installed on my home, i’d be much more concerned with who does the work, vs the shingle manufacturer.
Don’t overthink it. I hope this helps and best of luck.
Leo
PS – i’d not go to (most) Realtors for a roofing advice.
8 storey – 3o suite condo bldg, in Victora BC
I have an 8000 square foot flat Motel roof. What’s the cheapest type of metal to put on this roof. It’s in pretty bad shape.
The cheapest is 5R or 5-Rib corrugated metal roof panels – they cost the same as asphalt shingles, or LESS, because installation is really simple and fast. Keep in mind, 5-rib lasts much longer than asphalt, and is a cool roof, so you will also save on air-conditioning costs.
I wrote a blog post about the cost of 5-rib metal roof panels
You should also check out our metal roofing cost guide.
Good luck
Chuck … I’d say you will pay about $400-500 per square so at 80 squares = $32000-$40000 for your roof.
Depends where you are, and what type of old roof you have.
I just wanted to say ,,,WOW,,, WHAT A GREAT SERVICE,,,I filled in a few spaces and presto I got a phone call from a very nice lady that set up an appointment for me. I appreciated such a quick response. Thanks, you made my day.
We are looking to replace a flat roof on our commercial property in Cleveland OH area. What is the best option for us? Thanks.
Hi HITESH,
I would recommend PVC flat roofing membrane. An IB Roof is the PVC brand I primarily install, but it’s on the expensive side. However, there are less expensive PVC products that are also very good.
Good luck – if you need further help, let me know.
Leo
We have discovered fire damage to the trusses on our existing home. What is your estimate to replace a roof by replacing trusses and adding architectural shingles and having a 7/12 roof for a dimension of 31 X 50?
Hello,
We are looking to do the same: replace trusses and roof during an addition and remodel. Did you end up getting it done? We have the price for new trusses, but contractors are having a hard time figuring out a price to remove existing and add the new trusses. Engineers also are requiring shearing of existing walls. We are in central CA. How much did it end up costing for removal, new trusses & roof, and did you have to reinforce existing walls?
Thank you,
Kristin
Bill and Kristin,
I know this is a bit late – but the cost of trusses/roof rafters (materials only) can be estimated here: https://www.roofcalc.org/roof-rafter-calculator/
As far as labor – it’s expensive, but hard to estimate because there are so many factors involved – removing old roofing + sheething, making sure it does not leak while there is no roof, rebuilding the roof structure, installing plywood and roof… and of course dealing with all the existing building attachments…
Also what plays into the final cost, is your location and your contractor.
Hope this helps
This is a very useful and accurate calculator for roofing. I use it in my work and it helps with my estimates. Thanks for this.
How much should I expect to pay for the tear off of a roof that has flat clay tiles ? Roof is 4100 sq. ft.
Hi Ted – I know this is late – but maybe it will help others.
Clay tile is HEAVY (800 pounds per square) so if your roof is 20 squares – it’s 16000 pounds (tons) …
Even if it all fits in one 30 yard dumpster (which usually includes 4000-5000 pounds) you will have 11-12 tons overage, at $50-100 per ton. So do the math.
I’d say an extra $1000-1500 just for disposal.
Good luck
We’ve been providing roofing options within the Kentuckiana space for over 30 years by standing by our
word and standing by our work.
Our web designers are having an issue when they added the calculator to the web site it comes up blank and says page removed.
Can you help, is there a phone number I can direct our web designers to?
Mark, we do not offer a roof calculator that you can put on your site. We can create a custom version for you, but there would be cost associated with it. Let me know if interested.
Leo
Leo, I have a roofing company, wondering how to become one of your roofing contractors?
Isaac, please explain what you mean by “becoming one of our contractors”
Can you please provide cost estimates for Clay Spanish tile roof installation and also stone coated Spanish tile metal roof like Decra.
Which is better clay or metal for Tampa, FL?
Which is more expensive?
Thanks
Hey Luke,
Very interesting question there.
Both clay tile and Decra / stone coated steel roofs are good for Florida. With clay tile you need to make sure your roof framing can withstand 8 lbs / sq. ft. roof load of clay tile. Most roofs cannot, unless they were built / designed to do so.
Stone coated steel on the other hand is VERY light (0.9 lbs per square foot) … much lighter than asphalt shingles.
If you are more than 1 straight mile from the coast, you can easily install stone coated metal. It will work out great for you.
Costs wise, Decra type metal roof will cost $11-13 / sq. ft. installed. Clay tile will cost $20+ installed.
So there you have it. I’d recommend stone coated steel.
Good luck
I have to tell you that your calculator is spot on to the quotes we’ve gotten. Two years ago we were getting quotes of $10,000. That price has jumped to $14,000 now. The only consolation that I have is that we have a mansard roof and the problem of ventilation seems to be more addressed now that edge vents have come out for that break in the roof.
Two years ago, everyone wanted for my house to have a big attic fan. Now, roofers around here seem to have gone 180 on them.
Thanks.
Hey Susan,
Thanks! We try to keep the calculator up to date with what contractors charge and with fluctuations in material costs.
We recently created a roof price index (RPI) which tracks US average roof costs, based on what our visitors calculate for their roof replacement.
As far as ventilation, each roof is unique, but yea – mansards are hard to ventilate properly.
looking for reroof cost for 1600sq ft roof area, gentle slope. Two skylights on one side. Want 25 yr shingles. Interested in materials cost and labor cost.
You can use the calculator above for TOTAL installation price calculation, and our Roofing Materials Calculator to estimate materials cost.
The difference between 25 yrs shingles (3-tab) and 30-yr (now called “lifetime”) shingles is about $7-10 per square, so for 1600 sq. ft. roof, subtract $112-160 from the calculation results.
Good luck
Looking to replace 10×20 low pitched roof to high enough pitched roof to allow for low ceiling loft in 10×10 back section in a year.
@ Karen
You can get free estimate from Networks – they use pre-approved contractors, and you get up-to 4 free quotes – just fill out this form
We had a leak from ice that melted from the roof vent, now leaking when it rains. The house is 16 years old, and I am not sure if its best to do a repair or total roof replacement. I would like to get an estimate for a complete re-roof.
Also replacement of chimney flash. Installation of Dripcap, and replacement of any rotted underlatment
I only require for the flashing against the chimney to be fixed. You might like to quote for renewing materials that seal the two chimney pots. Nothing wrong with roof tiles. Midlands region, postcode NG34 7BS