ow much does roofing cost ?

So it has come time to replace your roof. There are two major types of roof replacements materials to keep in mind when evaluating roof repair cost. The first is shingle and the other is metal. Shingle roofs are the most common and most popular as they match the décor of other houses in the neighborhood and are generally less expensive than metal roofs. While metal roofs are generally reserved for commercial buildings, many homeowners have made the switch to a metal roof as they last longer than the traditional shingle roof.

Asphalt, Shake or Wood Shingled Roof.

The most common type of roofing material is asphalt, shake, or wood shingles. While all have their advantages and disadvantages, they are relatively close to the same price range to install. They are all relatively the same size and install in similar methods. As such, the installation price is approximately the same no matter which one you choose. The real cost is in the material with asphalt shingles being the least expensive. If choosing to go with a shingle, your roof repair cost will be $0.75 to $3 per square foot for asphalt shingles and $5 to $15 per square foot for wood or shake shingles. This price includes the materials and installation.

Metal Roof.

Although metal roofs are not as common on single family homes as they are on commercial buildings, many people are choosing to go with this type of roof as it is cost effective (lasts much longer than shingled roofs). However, if you do decide to go this route, you need to know that it will run you considerably more money than a shingled roof. Steel will run you approximately $7 to $15 per square foot and $20 to $30 per square foot for copper. This price includes material and installation cost and can fluctuate greatly depending on the scrap metal price for each material referenced.

Installation Cost.

The installation price alone for a shingled roof will cost you approximately $0.75 to $2.50 per square foot (including removing old materials). If you plan to purchase your own roofing materials and only plan to hire someone for installation, make sure that you purchase enough of the material to cover your entire roof. Coming up short on materials will cost you if your contractor has to stop in the middle of the project due to lack of resources.

Additional Price Consideration.

Think long term when replacing your roof. You may get a better deal if you elect to go with a shorter life shingle; however, you will need to replace them sooner than you would if you choose a longer life shingle. It is better to spend the extra money up front for a shingle that will last longer as it will save you from spending money on a roof sooner than you anticipate. Compare the price of the shingles you are looking at versus their stated life. This will give you a “per year” cost for putting new shingles on your roof.

You may also need to repair any wood underneath the old roof that is damaged. This includes wood that is old and broken and wood that may be wet and likely to cause mold in your attic. You may also need to pay additional cost (up to 20% more) if you have a higher pitched roof as there is more equipment (safety-wise) needed to complete the job.

To get a better idea of costs, here are some roofing estimates from professionals.

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