Cost of Raising a Roof

Average Costs

• On average, raising a roof can cost between $5 and $20 per square foot, according to Rooflift.com. This is a wide range and the upper limits can seem high, but raising a roof should always be compared to the cost of new construction. Typically, raising the roof costs less than building onto the foundation for a new ground-level addition.

Replacing a Roof

• When you decide to raise your roof, you may need to add extra roofing or replace some of your roofing materials. Depending on the age of your house, you may decide to replace your roof entirely in preparation for your new room or level. According to Cost Helper, installing a new asphalt shingle roof without professional help can cost as much as $3,700, while prices can rise to $8,400 for a professional installation.

Adding a Second Story

• If you want to add a full second story, prepare to invest a considerable amount of money in the project. For an entirely new level of rooms, you will need to extend plumbing and electrical work, as well as preparing floors, walls and ceilings. Furniture and fixtures are other costs. Costhelper reports that the 2011 cost of adding a second story was, on average, between $70 and $150 per square foot.

Variance

• When it comes to solely lifting the roof, prices will be determined largely by the individual project. The reason the $5 to $20 per square foot rule is so wide is the uncertainty involved. Rooftops can have widely different construction details and complexity, not to mention size and weight. Roofing labor and material costs may vary throughout the United States, driven by differing supply and demand forces. These factors all combine to form overall costs.