A Guide to Roofing Costs
Posted by Ryan Renner on Thursday, November 4th, 2021 at 4:02pm.
Roofs are an essential component in the structure of your home. They protect your home from rain, snow, ice, hail, and branches. Without a durable, properly installed roof, your home is at risk for damage caused by leaks, including mold. Although new roofs can be costly, they are one of the smartest investments you can make.
According to homeadvisor.com, the national average price for a new roof is $8,371. Most homeowners spend between $5,575 and $11,446. The cost of a new roof breaks down into 40% for materials and 60% in labor. There are many variables that go into the price of a roof, including the square footage of your home, the materials you choose, your type of home, and labor costs associated with removing your existing roof and installing your new roof. In this article, we are going to break down the cost of various types of roofs to help you determine the approximate cost of your project.
Roofing Material Costs
Roofing costs vary depending on the material you choose. The least expensive option is asphalt shingles. More expensive options include stone, slate, shake, and composite shake. It’s important to weigh the cost and the lifespan of materials. Roofs with shorter lifespans may be less expensive, but you will likely have to replace them multiple times as they age or become compromised because of severe weather. More expensive materials, though, generally have longer lifespans and are more resistant to damage caused by weather.
Roofing materials are measured in “squares,” which is 100 square feet. An average 2,200 square foot 2-story home would require approximately 17 squares of roofing material.
| Roofing Material | Average Lifespan | Average Cost per Square | Cost of Material for 2,200 sq ft Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt | 15 - 30 years | $100 - $150 | $1,700 - $2,550 |
| Wood Shake | 15 - 30 years | $250 - $600 | $4,250 - $10,200 |
| Composite Shake | 30 - 50 years | $500 - $1,600 | $8,500 - $27,200 |
| Slate | 100 - 200 years | $800 - $1,800 | $13,600 - $30,600 |
Labor Costs
Labor for roofing projects is usually $1.50 to $3 per square foot, but this depends on the product you are installing and the condition of your structure. More complicated materials may have a higher labor rate, while easier to install products may have a lower labor rate. Labor and overhead usually make up approximately 60% of a project’s total cost. For example, if you spend $8,000 on your new roof, about $4,800 will go toward labor and overhead costs.
Additional Costs
Sometimes the ventilation, gutters, flashing, chimneys, insulation, facia, soffit, or other parts of your roof system may also need to be replaced or repaired due to age or damage. This adds to the overall cost of your project and generally cannot be accounted for until you have a qualified contractor do a complete roof inspection.
What Next?
If you are in the initial stages of planning a roof remodel, having a general idea of the cost can be very helpful. But the most valuable thing you can do is schedule a roof inspection with a qualified local contractor. We recommend Royalty Roofing and Renovations. They have exceptional online reviews and have won Best of Omaha for the past two years. In addition, they received the BBB Integrity Award in 2018, and have been walking Omaha homeowners through the new roof process for over 10 years.
A roofing contractor will be able to perform a thorough inspection of your roof, gutters, chimney, and facia. Then, they will sit down with you to discuss their recommendations, along with your ideas and budget. They’ll put together a complete project estimate based on this discussion. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for a pricing breakdown. A qualified roofing contractor will be able to answer your questions quickly and clearly, and should be upfront and transparent with their pricing.
It’s important to remember that cheaper is not always better. When planning to have your roof replaced, we recommend getting estimates from 3-4 contractors. Make sure the estimates are within $1,000-$2,000 of one another, and choose the contractor that you feel most confident in, not the cheapest. Be sure to refer to Google and Facebook reviews, BBB ratings, and a contractor’s awards and special certifications when making your decision.
