No roofing contractor worth their salt is going to try to pretend that roof replacement isn’t the most involved, costliest home upgrade you could possibly need in most cases. It’s no small wonder that the thought of this makes most homeowners squirm, and it’s why most good contractors will do everything they can to repair a roof rather than replace it if it’s at all possible.
Still, nothing lasts forever, including a roof.
Today, we’re going to look at the various factors that contribute to the cost of a roof replacement. We can’t give you a precise number without directly assessing your roof – there are too many variables as you will shortly see. But we can arm you with these variables and their implications, which will allow you to have a pretty solid projection of the economic ramifications of the project.
A good starting point is that on average, roof replacement begins between $5000 to $25,000 and goes up from there for larger, more difficult, higher-end roofs.
Size
Roof size is the most obvious and direct impact on price. Roof materials are measured in 100 sq. ft. sections called roofing squares. The more roofing squares needed, the higher the price is going to be.
Pitch
Roof pitch affects price due to the level of difficulty it can produce. A steeper pitch is more dangerous, it’s more labor-intensive, and it’s more challenging overall. If you have exceptionally steep pitches on your roof, it’s going to incrementally increase your price, where shallower pitch or flat (if you have a more modernist style of home) will be far more affordable.
Materials
Materials of course, are almost as obvious as roof size. Costlier materials bring on more labor costs and material costs (which is proportional to size).
- Asphalt Shingles – These shingles are the most common residential material. Most roofers have the implementation of these down to a science, and they’re affordable as well. Between this and their wide variety of colors and styles, they’re the most economical choice.
- Clay/Concrete Tiles – These are durable and popular but are a little more expensive, and labor intensive to install, meaning they will weigh more heavily on your wallet.
- Metal – Metal is growing in popularity, and is growing more affordable as a result. Being fairly lightweight and easy for a professional to install, they’re almost but not quite as economical as asphalt shingle.
- Wood – Wood is somewhere between asphalt shingle and clay/concrete in price. It doesn’t last as long and requires some care to install without damaging.
- Synthetics – Synthetic shingles are longer-lasting and environmentally-friendly. They’re a little pricier on the material front for now, due to the adoption ratio not being as high as older materials. They’re not particularly expensive to install compared to asphalt.
Additional Factors
Additional factors do affect the cost.
- Location – The cost of living/economy of your state/province/district will affect things directly.
- Damage – If active damage has brought about the need for this replacement, the need to repair infrastructure and insulation will add to the cost.
- Time of Year – While the heat of summer is unpleasant, it’s the most cooperative time to replace a roof. Winter makes things difficult due to rains and cold.
These are just some of the basic variables that proportionally affect the cost of roof replacement. At RGB Construction, we strive to provide quality without letting these expenses become unreasonable. To get an accurate estimate of your roof’s cost, fill out our contact form or call us today.
