How Much Does Roof Replacement Cost In 2023?

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A strong, sturdy and stylish roof is arguably one of the most important elements of your home. And yet, every 30 to 75 years, extensive damage may signal that it’s time to start from scratch and design a new roof. Full roof replacement costs between $6,700 and $80,000, or approximately $11,500 for an average-sized home. Why the large range? It turns out that you have plenty of options when it comes to the type of roof you can choose.

How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost?

The primary cost factors that sway the price of roof replacement are the type of materials and the design of your roof. For example, the standard roof ranges between 1,000 and 3,000 square feet, and you can opt for anything from asphalt shingles to aluminum, clay or copper roofing.

Your roofing cost estimate will vary based on materials and labor. Roofing materials come either by the square foot, by the bundle or by roofing square—a 10 ft by 10 ft slab of materials. Additionally, up to 60% of your price will account for labor.

Our average roof replacement cost accounts for the most common roof sizes, materials and labor rates across the country.

Roof Replacement Cost
Average Cost	$11,500
Highest Cost	$80,000
Lowest Cost	$6,700

Roofing Cost Per Square Foot

The cost of installing a new roof costs between $4 and $40 per square foot—or about $7 on average—including both labor and materials. Remember that in roofing terms, this means between $400 to $4,000 per roofing square, or about $700 for the most popular materials.

Estimating the size of your roof can be a headache if you don’t have the original blueprints. The slope and shape of your roof—hipped, gabled or flat, for example—dictate the number of shingles, shakes or tiles you’ll need. In the end, a professional will do the best job of clarifying the exact size of your roof.

Roof Size (in Square Feet)	Average Cost
1,000	$7,000
1,100	$7,700
1,200	$8,400
1,500	$10,500
1,600	$11,200
1,700	$11,900
1,800	$12,600
1,900	$13,300
2,000	$14,000
2,500	$17,500
3,000	$21,000

Labor

When choosing a roofing contractor, opt for a professional with specific experience in roof replacements. Not only can they help you make the call to replace instead of performing repairs, but they will also help you design the roof that’s best for your home.

The price of the service accounts for between $2 and $7 per square foot on average. The high end of this range accounts for complex jobs with steep roofs, hard-to-access areas and regions with higher costs of living. Your contractor may charge between $40 and $60 per hour for the work, but flat-rate estimates are more common for large projects like these.

Materials

The other 40% to 50% of total roof replacement costs go toward materials. An itemized list breaks down to the roofing material—shingles, shakes, tiles, etc—as well as the underlayment, new flashing, roof ridges and vents. You’ll also contribute to the cost of building supplies such as nails, tools, ladders and other related equipment.

Roof Pitch

The slope of your roof affects both the square footage and the labor rates of roof replacement. For one, the higher the pitch, the larger the area. While most roofs fall between a 3:12 and 6:12 ratio, steeper roofs will require special equipment and take longer to install.

Roofing Costs by Type

Asphalt shingles, wooden shakes and slate tiles are still some of the most common roofing materials. However, when comparing two popular options such as asphalt shingles and metal roofing, you’ll spot the difference in longterm maintenance costs. Metal will stand up against extreme weather better than asphalt, for example.

It is important to choose roofing material based on your local climate, the weight-bearing capacity of your roof, your budget and the desired finished look. Remember, in case you plan to sell sometime soon, a well-designed new roof is one factor that can affect your appraisal.

Roofing Material	Price (for a 2,000-Square-Foot Home)
Asphalt shingles	$8,000 – $17,000
Galvanized steel	$14,000 – $30,000
Cedar shakes	$14,000 – $32,000
Concrete tile	$15,000 – $40,000
Aluminum	$16,000 – $34,000
Slate tiles	$19,000 – $52,000
Clay	$22,000 – $50,000
Copper	$42,000 – $80,000

Full vs. Partial Roof Replacement Costs

There are a few instances when you can get away with a partial roof replacement. For example, perhaps only one area of the roof was damaged in a storm. Or, if you have a multi-tiered roof, and only one has succumbed to wear and tear. In these cases, you’ll save money on both labor and materials.

On the other hand, older roofs that no longer meet local building codes will likely require total replacement. Replacing the entire roof at once may also be best for a consistent appearance and for prolonging its stability.

Cost to Replace Roofing vs. Repair

Avoiding full roof replacement is often the endgame. Not only is replacement expensive, but it’s also disruptive to the average homeowner’s life as well. As a general rule of thumb, if less than 100 square feet of roof requires minor repairs, you may be able to avoid replacement.

On average, the cost of roof repairs ranges from $150 to $7,000. Leaks, peeling shingles and damage to the flashing, underlayment, deck or ridge caps are all common. Structural issues, rot, mold and signs of extended pest infestation, however, are often a large cause for concern and could trigger a full replacement.

Additional Roof Replacement Cost Factors to Consider

Removing a major structural element of your home is never cut and dry. You will likely encounter additional fees for related work before, after and during roof replacement.

Removal of Current Roof

Save time and energy by letting the professionals remove your old roof first. Roof removal commonly costs between $1 and $5 per square foot on average depending on the complexity of the removal. Most professionals will include hauling fees as well, but you could spend up to $600 for the cost of junk removal if you do it yourself.

Required Repairs

Contractors have an opportunity to repair and refortify the structure of your roof during replacement. Now’s your chance to address damage to the underlayment, pest issues and even do some gutter cleaning. As noted above, roof repair costs range from $150 to $7,000, but here are some specific costs that could arise:

• Underlayment replacement: $2 to $3 per square foot
• Roof water damage restoration: $400 to $1,700
• Repair or replace roof trusses: $500 to $5,000
• Roof insulation replacement: $1,000 to $2,500
• Vent repair: $75 to $250
• Repair or replace fascia: $450 to $4,000
• Ridge cap repair or replacement: $200 to $750

Presence of Skylights, Chimneys, Etc.

Skylights, dormer windows, chimneys and soffits require additional flashing as well as specially measured roofing materials. Each of these special features can raise the price to replace your roof, primarily in the labor category. Prices will vary widely depending on the size of your roof and the new materials required for each feature.

Clean Up Costs

You may notice a charge between $50 and $500 for hauling costs and local disposal fees. You can also handle the cleanup yourself for around the same price, but your contractor will likely have experience handling heavy materials.

Roof Warranty and Insurance

Depending on your level of coverage, a roof warranty, home warranty or your homeowner’s insurance may cover certain roof replacement costs. For example, a home warranty typically covers repairs related to leaks. Homeowner’s insurance will step in for damage caused by natural disasters, and the roof warranty will often take care of installation errors.

Full roof replacement, however, can be a bit more complicated to cover. Coverage will likely depend on the reason for the new roof.

DIY Roof Replacement DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

Roofing a house on your own is an advanced DIY project. Only attempt going it alone if you have ample experience working with power tools and atop a ladder.

And while you can save between $2 and $7 per square foot on professional labor, it’s not always your best bet. Roofing errors can lead to costly repairs, both on your roof and all the connected areas—the attic, your home’s framing and the surrounding eaves—can end up with water damage, mold and even structural issues.

To arrive at the average costs in this article, two material providers and seven cost databases were surveyed on national and local levels. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should I repair my roof on my own or hire a professional?

If you’re comfortable working with tools and on a ladder, there are minor roof repairs you can safely complete on your own such as fixing some roof leaks yourself. However, always check your home warranty to ensure that DIY fixes do not void your coverage.

What is the best type of roofing material for hot climates?

If you live in a climate with extreme heat and the risk of wildfire, metal, clay and stone roofs are ideal. Not only can they withstand the heat, but some metal roofing materials will even reflect the sun away from your home and lower your HVAC bills.

What is the best type of roofing material for cold climates?

Metal roofs are your best bet when planning a roof for cold climates, particularly due to their ability to shed snow and ice. However, asphalt shingles also work well for less money, but they often require more maintenance than metal.

How often should a roof be replaced?

Roof longevity depends on the material, your local climate and how well the roof was maintained. Common designs such as asphalt shingles and wooden shakes last up to 30 years on average while metal roofs can last up to 70 years.

What is the cheapest roof option?

Asphalt shingles are typically the most cost-effective roofing option. You will also find some plastic and corrugated metal panels that cost less than average, but they must be able to withstand your local climate to justify the cost savings.