How Much Does a New Roof Cost?

Roofers quote by the "square" — 100 sq ft of roof surface — not by square footage of your house. A single-story home's roof typically covers more area than its floor plan once pitch and overhangs are factored in.

Shingle material choice moves the price per square significantly:

• 3-tab asphalt: $350–$450 per square installed
• Architectural (dimensional) asphalt: $400–$550 per square installed
• Standing-seam metal: $800–$1,500+ per square installed

• Tear-off and disposal. Removing one or more layers of old shingles and hauling them away typically adds $1,000–$3,000 to a full roof replacement.
• Roof pitch. Steep roofs are slower and riskier to work on, so most roofers add a steep-slope surcharge once pitch exceeds roughly 6/12 (a 6-inch rise per 12 inches of run).
• Roof complexity. Valleys, dormers, skylights, and multiple roof planes all mean more cuts, flashing, and labor time than a simple rectangular roof of the same square footage.
• Decking repair. If the tear-off reveals rotted or damaged plywood decking underneath, replacing it is priced separately and can add several hundred to a few thousand dollars.
• Underlayment and flashing upgrades. Synthetic underlayment, ice-and-water shield in cold climates, and new flashing around chimneys/vents all add incremental cost over base-grade materials.
• Local permits and labor rates. Most municipalities require a roofing permit, and labor cost varies significantly by region — always get multiple local quotes.

Shingle material alone typically costs $100–$150 per square — a fraction of the $350–$550 installed price. On paper that's a large potential saving, but full roof replacement is one of the DIY projects worth thinking hardest about before attempting:

• Working at height on a pitched roof carries real fall risk, and most homeowners' insurance and manufacturer shingle warranties assume professional installation.
• Improper flashing or underlayment installation is one of the most common causes of roof leaks — and leaks often aren't visible until they've already caused interior damage.
• A full roof tear-off and re-shingle is a large, time-pressured job (you generally can't leave a roof partially open overnight in bad weather), which usually means needing a crew, not solo DIY.

DIY re-roofing is more realistic for small, low-pitch structures like a shed or detached garage than for a full house roof. For a primary residence, most homeowners get several contractor quotes rather than attempting the tear-off and install themselves.