How Much Does a New Roof Cost?

For the vast majority of homeowners, replacing your roof is no do-it-yourself job. It is often a project that is best left to the professionals. It’s also a project that can be pricey, which is why budgeting for it is essential.

The first step in budgeting for a new roof is understanding how your price is determined. There are many cost factors that go into the job and some are within your control making budgeting for this necessary home maintenance project easier to accomplish.

What factors affect the cost of a new roof?

Talk to any roofing contractor and they’ll tell you that the most common question they get is: How much does it cost to replace my roof? However, there is no “one size fits all” answer. Several thousand dollars is likely the best answer you’ll get without a proper quote for the roofing job.

When you do get a roofing quote, the price will take into consideration things like:

1. The number of stories of the house

Safety is paramount. A home that is taller with multiple stories will require extra precautions to ensure the safety of the workers.

2. The pitch (or slope) of the roof

A steep roof will generally cost more to replace than a flat roof for the same reason as the number of stories: safety concerns and the related safeguards needed to protect the roofers.

3. Roof features

Some roofs are more complex than others. Features like skylights, multiple chimneys, and extra peaks and ridges will make the job more time consuming to complete as there are intricacies that need to be respected.

4. The size of the roof

The math is simple on this one. The larger the square footage of the roof, the more materials and time needed to complete the replacement.

5. The extent of repairs

There’s more to your roof than shingles. If the deck of the roof is damaged, if you need new flashing around your chimney, or if the ventilation is insufficient and you need extra vents, for example, the job will cost more.

6. Type of roofing material selected

There are five main types of roofing materials: asphalt (the most popular), metal (the second most common), tile, shake, and slate, according to the Metal Roof Alliance (MRA). Asphalt shingles are the most cost-effective option of the group while slate is the most expensive. The price for a metal roof, tile, or shake roof are comparable to each other, says the MRA.

7. Disposal costs

Sometimes you can put a new roof over an existing roof which will limit disposal costs. If your old roof needs to be removed, however, you can expect the cost of sending the materials to a recycling facility or landfill will be added to the price.

8. Time of year

There are ebbs and flows to every business. When business slows, you’re often able to get a better price.

Like every good rule-of-thumb, however, there are exceptions. For example, in northern parts of the country a roofing company may choose to close over the winter because demand is low. This could mean one of two things: you’ll either get a better price from those staying open year-round because they’re eager for the business, or; you’ll pay more because of your limited options. It will depend on the number of roofing companies available to you in your local area.

9. Where you live

There are a variety of reasons why where you live could affect the price you pay for a new roof. If you live in an urban area, for example, labor costs could be higher than those if you live in a rural setting. On the other hand, product prices might be higher if you live in a rural area because it costs more to get the product to you.

Ready to replace the roof on your home? Hire a Local Home Pro professional

What’s overhead matters especially when it comes to the roof of your home. Whether you go with the popular asphalt shingle roof or the long-lasting metal roof, you can get a free, no obligation quote from a local expert. 

Local Home Pro will connect you to a roofing professional in your community for your hassle-free, in-home consultation. All Local Home Pro roofing contractors are vetted and verified to ensure you benefit from the convenience we promise, competitive pricing, and a range of product options.