Roof Replacement cost breakdown
At a mid-range, national-average baseline, a typical roof replacement project is estimated at $8,100 to $19,800. The table below breaks the cost down so you can see where your project is likely to land.
| Material | Installed cost per sq ft | Typical total (1,800 sq ft roof) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-tab asphalt shingles | $4 to $7 /sq ft | About $7,200 to $12,600 |
| Architectural asphalt shingles | $4.50 to $11 /sq ft | About $8,100 to $19,800 |
| Standing-seam metal | $10 to $24 /sq ft | About $18,000 to $43,000 |
| Clay or concrete tile | $12 to $28 /sq ft | About $21,000 to $50,000 |
| Natural slate | $18 to $45 /sq ft | About $32,000 to $81,000 |
Roof Replacement cost by project size
Most of your roof replacement cost scales with size. Here is the estimated national-average range at a few common project sizes.
| Roof size (square feet) | Estimated total cost | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| 900 square feet | $4,050 to $9,900 | Smaller project |
| 1,800 square feet | $8,100 to $19,800 | Typical project |
| 3,150 square feet | $14,200 to $34,700 | Larger project |
What drives roof replacement cost
- Roof size, measured in actual roof area (not house footprint), is the biggest single driver.
- Material: asphalt is cheapest, then wood and metal, with tile and slate at the top.
- Tear-off and disposal of old layers add labor and dump fees.
- Roof pitch and complexity: steep, cut-up roofs with many valleys cost more to work safely.
- Decking repairs, flashing, underlayment, and ventilation upgrades found during tear-off.
- Regional labor rates and permit costs.
Key cost factors
Material is the price ceiling
Architectural asphalt shingles are the national baseline. Standing-seam metal typically runs a little over double, while clay tile and natural slate can be three to four times the asphalt price because the material is expensive, heavy, and slower to install.
Tear-off versus overlay
Laying new shingles over one old layer (an overlay) saves on labor and disposal but is not always allowed by code and can hide deck problems. A full tear-off down to the decking is the standard, and is required if there are already two layers.
Pitch, height, and access
Steep roofs need extra safety staging and slow the crew down. Multi-story homes, many valleys, dormers, skylights, and chimneys all add flashing work and labor hours.