How Much Does a New Roof Cost?

As of 2024, the typical cost of a roof replacement ranges between $5,400 to $19,800. However, where you wind up in that range (or if you wind up below or above it) varies depending on several different factors, including:

• The roofing material installed. Asphalt shingles, for example, cost significantly less per square foot than a metal roof does.
• Your home’s size. A smaller home requires less roofing than a larger home.
• The roof’s slope. A very steep roof may make for a more complex installation, which can increase the cost. Flat roofs have various weather-proofing elements that need to be added or updated, which will also impact project cost.
• Local labor prices. Higher cost of living areas have higher labor rates. In general, 50% to 60% of your roof replacement cost will be labor (with the remaining cost devoted to materials).

Let’s take a look at how each of these costs break down, as well as what an average cost would be for a variety of roof replacements.

Average Cost of a New Roof

The average cost for a roof replacement depends on all the above factors. But it should also account for all your unique variables, like if you’re doing a full or partial roof replacement, if you are updating the underlayment in addition to the shingles, etc.

Here are the average costs for a lower-end, mid-range, and higher-end roof replacement on a 2,000 square foot home.

Where These Average Costs Come From

1. Most homes in the U.S. are between 1,500 and 2,500 square feet. For our average roof replacement costs above, we used 2,000 square feet as the average home size.
2. The most common type of roofing in the U.S. is asphalt shingles. 3-tab asphalt shingles cost from $3.50 to $5.50 per square foot on average, including both materials and installation.
3. An architectural shingle, which is a higher quality asphalt shingle, costs $6 to $10.50 per square foot installed, bringing it into a mid-range roof replacement cost. Cheaper metal roofing options like corrugated steel as well as mid-range standing seam metal roofs are also included in the mid-range category.
4. Natural slate tiles and high-end metal options like zinc or copper are the priciest roofing options for homeowners to consider. Slate tiles cost $9 to $20 per square foot for the tiles alone, with total replacement costs ranging from $15 to $30 per square foot, bringing this into the highest tier of roof replacement average costs.

Do You Need a Full or Partial Roof Replacement?

One of the other factors that will impact your new roof cost is whether you’re replacing all of it or just some of it. Let’s look at when a full vs partial roof replacement is needed.

Full Roof Replacement

• Involves removing all the old roofing materials from the entire roof and replacing them with new materials. This includes underlayment, shingles or other roofing materials, and new flashing.
• When it’s needed. A full replacement is needed if your roof has reached the end of its lifespan or if you have extensive damage. It’s also needed for homeowners who want to upgrade to a higher-quality or different type of roofing material.

Partial Roof Replacement

• Only a portion of the roof is repaired or replaced. This could be a single side, a section that has been damaged, or specific areas around features like chimneys or skylights.
• When it’s needed. Ideal for localized damage that hasn’t affected the entire roof. Common types of damage include a fallen tree or a major weather event like a hurricane or hailstorm.

Roof Replacement Cost Calculator

You can get a more detailed estimate of your own roof replacement cost by using the calculator at the top of this page. Our roof replacement cost calculator factors in your home’s size, the type of material you are choosing, and your location. You can read all about where our costs come from by visiting our guide to cost information.

Factors That Affect Cost

We’ve discussed much of what impacts roof replacement cost above, but let’s take a detailed look at everything that goes into your project cost.

1. Shingle type. As you’ve seen, the material you choose for your new roof will play the biggest factor in how much your new roof costs. Our guide to shingle types covers your options in more depth.
2. Labor. As you get quotes from contractors, ask to have those quotes broken down into materials and labor. For lower- and mid-range roof replacements, labor costs will likely make up 50% to 60% of your total. Typically, the higher your roof material costs, the less of the total will be made up by labor.
3. Location. You’ll want to consider your local climate as you choose a roof material. For example, if you live in an area where it’s very hot much of the year, then a 3-tab asphalt shingle may not be for you. It is budget-friendly, but it will also attract a lot of heat, making your home hotter and increasing your monthly utility bills as your air conditioning tries to keep temperatures inside cool.
4. Roof size. In addition to the overall square footage of your roof, you also need to consider how many stories your home is. A 3,000 square foot home that is only one story will need more shingles than a multi-story home, but will also be less complex to install the roof on.
5. Roof pitch. A very steep roof is harder to work on than a moderately sloped roof. A good portion of how complex your roof will be to install is determined by the pitch.
6. Permits/Inspections. Your contractor should include a line item for how much it costs to pull permits as well as how much it will cost to have a home inspector look at the finished job. Your area may not require both these elements, so be sure to ask any contractor you get quotes from what your city requires.

New Roof Cost by Material

The largest cost in your roof replacement (besides labor) is the roofing material you choose. Below, you can see average costs of various roofing shingles, along with a more detailed breakdown of some of the most popular options.

Asphalt

Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material found across the United States. However, there is a range of quality found in asphalt shingles. The most basic “builder-grade” quality is a 3-tab shingle, which costs $3.50 to $5.50 per square foot installed. You can read more by visiting our guide to asphalt shingle costs.

A higher quality architectural shingle, on the other hand, costs $6 to $10.50 per square foot installed. Though these are made of asphalt, they are designed to mimic the look of more expensive materials, like wood shakes or slate tiles. They also last longer and can have much better energy efficiency. Our guide to architectural shingle cost covers all of this in more detail.

Metal

Metal roofs are more energy efficient and durable than asphalt shingles, but they cost more as a result. The average cost for materials and labor for a metal roof is $12 per square foot. But you should be aware that costs start at just $5 per square foot and go all the way up to $26 per square foot. This is because there are several types of metal roofs.

The cheapest type of metal roof is made of corrugated steel while the most expensive types are zinc and copper. In the middle are options like aluminum and powder-coated steel. Metal roof also comes in various types, like standing seam, corrugated, and seamless, which also impacts the final project price.

Our metal roofing guide covers all of these options and more.

Slate

Natural slate tiles are beautiful, energy-efficient, and very expensive. It costs between $15 and $30+ per square foot to buy and install a slate roof. They can last more than 100 years, making them one of the most durable roofing choices. However, slate tiles are also quite heavy, and you may need to reinforce your roof in addition to investing in high-quality underlayment.

To learn more, visit our guide to slate roofing costs.

Wood Shake

Wood shake roofs are uncommonly gorgeous, but they are also quite expensive. They are most commonly made from cedar and found on historic homes as well as specific styles of homes (like craftsman and cottage styles). Many regions do not allow homes to have wood shake roofing due to their overall fire risk. The cost to buy and install wood shake roofing can start as low as $9 per square foot and run to $18+. You can read more about this roof type as well as how much it costs by visiting our guide to cedar wood shakes and shingles.

Tile

Though the term “tile roofs” can refer to slate tiles, rubber tiles, and more, this is most commonly shorthand for clay tile roofs. Clay tile can last 100 years or more, is very highly rated against fires, and is quite energy efficient. These shingles can be made out of several materials in addition to terracotta, like concrete and ceramic. They can even be shaped to mimic wood shakes. The combined labor and material cost for a tile roof range from $8.50 to $15.25 per square foot.

Our guide to clay tile roofs covers materials, styles (like French vs interlocking), and cost.

Flat Roofing

Flat roofs have special considerations like waterproofing that need to be considered. However, installation costs and repair costs actually tend to be lower than costs for sloped roofs. The average cost per square foot for labor and materials for a flat roof range from $2.50 to $9 per square foot. Modern ho

mes especially benefit aesthetically from a flat roof. And any home with a flat roof can potentially turn that roof space into extended outdoor living space.

We have a guide to flat roofs that covers all of this in more detail.

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By Size/Square Foot

There are three major factors that go into calculating how many square feet your roof is: your home’s square footage, how many stories your home has, and how steeply pitched your roof is. The steeper your roof is, the more square footage you have.

For the below tables, we have calculated square footage for a moderately sloped roof (for which we have used a roof pitch multiplier of 1.12) for single-story and two-story homes. Then, we have shown an average cost for a basic 3-tab asphalt shingle, a mid-range metal roof, and high-end natural slate tile.

Roof Replacement Cost by Size for a Single-Story Home

Roof Replacement Cost by Size for a Two-Story Home

Please note that we have assumed your home’s square footage is split evenly between the first and second floors.

For the most accurate measurements of roof square footage, including what roof pitch multiplier you should use, you will need to contact a roofing contractor. Your costs will differ from the above based on the complexity of your roof.

Other Cost Factors

In addition to all we have discussed above, there are two other costs to take into consideration: the cost to remove your old roof and the cost to clean up once the roof is installed.

Old Roof Removal

The average cost to remove an existing roof, often referred to as roof tear-off or demolition, depends on several factors including the type of roofing materials, the size and complexity of the roof, and the labor rates in your area.

Typically, the average cost for a roof removal ranges from about $1 to $5 per square foot. This variation depends on factors like the type of roofing material (asphalt shingles, wood shakes, metal, tile, etc.), how many layers of roofing need to be removed, and whether there’s a need for additional disposal or handling (such as with asbestos-containing materials).

For a standard-sized home with a roof area of around 2,000 square feet, the total cost for roof removal could range from $2,000 to $10,000. If your roof has multiple layers of old roofing, the higher end of this range might be more accurate, as additional labor and disposal costs are involved.

Roof Cleaning/Clean-Up

Most contractors include clean-up and the removal of debris in their overall quote. This usually includes both removing these materials from your property as well as disposing of them. Depending on the size of your roof and how much debris you have at the end of the project, an average ballpark price for clean-up is around $500.

Roof Replacement vs Roof Repair

As you’re preparing to get quotes for your roof replacement, make sure that’s actually what you need. It could be that you actually need your roof repaired instead. If you have a leak, roof damage, or other concerns, your first step should be working with a contractor to see if your roof can be repaired. This will be more cost-effective than a roof replacement.

For more information of when a roof can be repaired instead of replaced, you can read our blog post.

When to Replace Your Roof

There are several scenarios in which you do, in fact, need to replace your roof. Here are some of the most common:

1. Age of your roof. If your roof isn’t performing well because it has reached the end of its lifespan, then replacing it with a new roof is your best option.
2. Structural roof damage. Unlike storm damage, cracked shingles, and other situations where a roof repair can work instead, structural roof issues like sagging can only be fixed by replacing the roof.
3. Shingles wearing out. Are the majority of your shingles curling, shrinking, or blistering? These are signs of shingle degeneration. The only way to resolve it is to replace them.
4. Missing shingles. A few missing shingles can be replaced, which would fall into the scope of a repair. However, a lot of missing shingles that need to be replaced ultimately means a roof replacement.
5. Extensive moss or algae growth. This can be a sign of water damage, but even if it isn’t, moss and algae significantly shorten the lifespan of your roof. You can try cleaning the roof first to see the condition of the shingles beneath it, but in most cases, the roof needs to be replaced.

We have a blog post on warning signs you need a new roof if you’d like more information.

DIY vs Professional Roof Repair or Replacement

Whether you are looking at a simple repair or a full replacement, you need to hire a professional. Working on a roof is dangerous and difficult. Roofing contractors have special insurance, equipment, and more to help keep them safe.

Our guide to roof installation shows just how involved the process is if you’d like to read more about it.

How to Find a Roofing Contractor

It is best practice to always get roofing price quotes from three to four local roofing contractors so that you get the best professional and best price for your roof replacement.

Each roof estimate should be within a margin of $2,000 to $4,500 for the same job from each contractor in your area. If it is less than or more than that margin of price change, you will want to make sure all costs are being accounted for in your bid. Check out our roof replacement page to see what factors go into this project.

You may also want to do some research with ratings and reviews on that contractor to make sure you’re hiring a quality and experienced roofer, but also one who is not overcharging for their services. It is helpful to be prepared to vet out your new roofing contractor with a checklist and questions for them to answer.

You can browse our contractor directory to see who is available in your area and start reaching out for free quotes. Or if you’d rather leave the research to us, click below and answer a few questions about your project. Then, we’ll take your information and match you with up to four local contractors for quotes.

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