FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST FOR A NEW ROOF?

A typical asphalt shingle roof will cost anywhere from $3.50 to $5.50 per sq ft fully installed. The cost of the roof will increase with the complexity, the steepness, the type, warranty, and quality of materials used, the amount of repairs and lumber needed prior to replacement, and obviously, the size of the roof.

Roofers will measure your roof in squares and one square equals 100 sq ft. So considering this, the average roof is about $350 – $550 per square installed.

WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST TYPE OF ROOF?

Asphalt shingles are the lowest cost roofing material and by far the most common material used for single family housing. 3-tab shingles are the cheapest of the asphalt shingles, followed by 30 year architectural shingles, followed by 50 year architectural shingles.

Shingle brand can also affect the price of shingles. The average 3-tab roof installed is $7,000 to $12,000, the average same size 30 year architectural shingle roof is $9,000 to $15,000 and the 50 year average roof is $11,000 to $20,000.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO FIX A LEAK IN THE ROOF?

A roof leak can cost anywhere from $300 on the low end to to $1,500 or more on the high end to repair depending on a number of factors. Extensive hail damage repair for example can exceed $1,500 but is something that is typically covered by homeowners insurance. A simple shingle to repair a roof leak on the other hand is likely to cost around $300 if done a licensed, insured roofing contractor that will offer a warranty on the repairs.

WHAT DO YOU CALL A PERSON WHO WORKS ON ROOFS?

Typically referred to as a roofer or a roofing contractor, we specialize in all aspects of your roof, and typically offer other services as well. Roofing services include evaluation, repair, and replacement of residential and commercial roofs of all types with materials such as asphalt (or bitumen), rubber, PVC, and TPO.

Roofers are also typically expert carpenters and can fix roof structural problems and are well versed in insulation and the affects it will have on a roof. Other services typically offered by roofing contractors are siding replacement, replacement windows, gutter replacement, and masonry installation.

HOW MUCH DOES A ROOF COST FOR A 2,000 SQ FT HOUSE?

The average house is the United Stated is approximately 2,000 sq ft. A roofing contractor will refer to 100 sq ft of roof as a “square”, so a 2,000 sq ft house is 20 square.

Taking the average, fully installed replacement cost of a residential roof of $3.50 to $5.50 per sq ft (so $350 to $550 per square) and multiplying by 20 square, the average price of a 2,000 sq ft roof replacement in the united states is approximately $7,000 to $11,000. Keep in mind that roof complexity, quality of materials used, needed structural repair, and many other factors can affect this estimate, but it’s a good rule of thumb.

WHY IS ROOFING SO EXPENSIVE?

In a word, materials. Asphalt is in higher demand and shorter supply as road projects use more and more of the available resources. Lumber, steel, and other materials continue to fluctuate in price but the cost continues a steady march upward. As with many consumables, using higher quality materials with longer warranties also means that you can expect to pay more.

Insurance is another huge factor that can increase cost. An underinsured roofing contractor can pose a devastating risk to your house and it’s likely that if they are under insured (or not insured) it’s likely that they don’t offer a warranty and any damage or leaks that they create will necessitate the need to spend even more money in the long run.

WHAT DO ROOFERS DO?

Roofers are on top of the construction industry. They evaluate, maintain, repair and replace all types of roofs. Asphalt, slate, metal, tin, even copper, a roofer can do it all. A good roofer is adaptable to the weather and to the required materials. A roofer is an expert with all types of pneumatic and electric tools and a good crew can typically replace an entire residential roof if minimal structural repairs are needed in one day.

HOW MUCH DOES A ROOFER CHARGE PER HOUR?

An appropriately licensed and insured roofer with a good crew and a good warranty will likely charge anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour to replace a roof. While this is a good rule of thumb that be be averaged out over the entire job, almost all roofers will provide an estimate and charge based on the size and complexity of a roof and stick within the common price of $350 to $550 per square.

DO ROOFERS CHARGE FOR ESTIMATES?

Typically roofers do not charge for estimates. Most crews will have dedicated members who will follow up free of charge with all requests for an estimate. A good estimate will include a breakdown of all costs and a timeline for work to be completed. A good estimate will also specify the exact materials to be used to complete the job. Some estimates will also include aerial views of the roof provided by a drone to help further explain the estimate.