How Much Does It Cost to Have a New Roof Put On?

Considerations

• When looking for a roofing contractor for your home, ask for recommendations from a neighbor or a friend who has had their roof done within the past five years. Otherwise, contact your local home center store or homebuilder’s association. Get several estimates from roofers and ask for references on recent jobs. Drive by the listed addresses and check for gaps between shingle tabs, and whether shingles are trimmed in a clean line along the valleys and roof edges. Call the references and ask if they would use the roofer again, whether the job was on time and on budget, if the roof leaked or showed any other problems, and whether the roofer cleaned up after the job or damaged any property or plants.

Wood

• Wood shakes are a common choice because of their natural and customizable look. They do, however, require regular maintenance and last from 20 to 50 years, depending on the weather. Contractors typically price roof installation by the square, which equals 10-by-10 feet or 100 square feet. At the time of publication, a square of wooden shingles, usually shake or yellow pine, costs about $100 to $200, which is equal to about $200 to $325 a square foot. This totals a 2,000-square-foot roof at between $4,000 and $6,500. Check local codes before deciding on a wood roof. Municipalities in California, Colorado and Texas ban wood shake on new construction because of fire hazards.

Asphalt

• Most residential roofs are made from asphalt shingles, due to their low cost and maintenance. However, such a roof typically only lasts from 15 to 30 years, depending on the quality of the materials. The average cost of asphalt shingles is $0.80 to $1.20 per square foot for materials alone, or about $100 to $200 per square, at the time of publication. Adding installation puts the price at $275 to $450 per square. A 2,400-square-foot roof will cost from $6,600 to $10,800. Always check the warranty. A few cents more per square foot may be worth the additional decade of durability.

Flat Roofs

• Flat roofs are common in modern architecture, although they typically have a slight pitch to help with water drainage. They are more common in the west and southwest, where mild weather cannot pile mounds of snow on the surface. Flat roofs are easier to access, and can provide a safe place to sit and hang out. They are generally cheaper to install than standard pitched roofs with the same materials. At the time of publication, costs run about $200 to $400, which totals from $4,000 to $8,000 for a 2,000-square foot roof.