How Much Does Roof Replacement Cost? Here’s Everything You Need to Consider

The roof on your home goes through a lot. Rain, hail, wind, snow, bird droppings – all of these things can cause damage that, in the long-term, inevitably leads to the need for replacement.

Unfortunately, the cost to replace almost any reasonably-sized roof is in the thousands of dollars. If you educate yourself with the right research, however, and make a smart decision on how you move forward with your replacement, you can save significantly.

In this post, we will give you all of the details about your roof replacement cost, while also sharing some tips on how you can save as much money as possible during this process.

Do You Really Need a Roof Replacement?

This first question to ask yourself is whether or not you actually need a full roof replacement. Here are some of the biggest signs that indicate it is time to make the jump:

• Curled shingles: The edges of your roof’s shingles will curl up and look almost as if they are peeling off.
• Cracked shingles: Noticeable cracks throughout the tiles or shingles can result in a weakened rooftop. This can lead to significant damage during a powerful storm.
• Dark streaks: Dark streaks are caused by airborne algae and, while they are not much of an issue by themselves, can be a good reason for getting a replacement when coupled with other roof issues.
• Moss: Moss growth is mainly a cosmetic issue, but it does expose your roof to additional moisture, which can cause damage to your rooftop over time.

How Much Does it Cost?

Before jumping into the numbers, it is important to note that your roof replacement cost is dependent on several variables, like the type, size, and complexity of your roof, as well as which roofing company you go with, and even where you live.

With that in mind, most businesses charge around $3.50 to $5.00 per square foot, but the price can be as low as $2.50 or as high as $9.00 per square foot. In roofing, a 100-square-foot section is referred to as a square, and forms the basis for all prices quoted by roofers.

Although your roof replacement cost may initially be relatively vague, you can narrow it down by looking at suppliers in your area and accounting for some of these variables. For example, asphalt shingles are the cheapest to replace, and are also the most common material used. Flat roofs are a bit more expensive than sloped roofs, and the most costly materials are metal, tile, and slate.

The cost per square foot includes the new roof materials, the removal of some or all of the old roof, installation of the new roof, and the necessary permits. Keep in mind that the materials go beyond just the shingles themselves – drip edges, hook blades, roofing nails, staples, and more, are all part of the process.

Some companies have high-tech methods to quickly analyze and produce an estimate for your roof replacement cost. Here at Roofr, for example, we use satellite imagery and other data points to automate this process and provide an estimate in just 26 seconds!

What You Should Look For

With the average single-family home being close to 2,400 square feet, you can expect the typical roof replacement cost for an asphalt shingle roof to range from $7,500 to $12,500. For higher-end roof materials like metal, tile, and slate, the cost may be around $20,000 to $25,000.

Such a large investment calls for high expectations. Here is what you should be looking for in the offer that a roofing company is making to you:

• Durability: Your roof should be built to withstand extreme conditions like strong winds and hail. As soon as the first big storm hits your new roof, keep an eye out for how it holds up.
• Efficiency: It is very important to ensure your roof replacement has proper insulation and ventilation. This helps you save money on energy usage for cooling and heating your home.
• Increased Home Value: A new roof should always increase the value of your home. If it does not, you have done something wrong. Anytime that you invest in a renovation or upgrade in your home, you should be actually improving the conditions of your home. If this is the case, the value will always go up.
• Functional: It is pretty obvious that your new roof should be fully functional, but you never know the quality of the end result until it is complete. Make sure there are no leaks or other issues.

How to Save Money

Now that you know what to budget and look for, the next part is figuring out how you can get a quality end product with as little expense as possible. Here are some tips to help you not break the bank too much:

1. Do Your Own AnalysisGet a ladder, climb on top of your roof safely, and take a good look at the layout and slope of your roof. Maybe even measure some of the dimensions.The more you know about your roof’s features, the better your own estimate can be for your roof replacement. Having this knowledge and supporting data will help you negotiate with suppliers for the best price.
2. Shop Around and NegotiateGet multiple estimates and quotes so you can compare and learn from different companies. See how they differ from your own estimate, and try to engage in conversation with the businesses that you are working with.
3. Use Your InsuranceIf your roof was damaged in an event that wasn’t due to your own neglect, your homeowners insurance may cover some or all of your replacement cost.
4. Use a MatchmakerThere are companies that help you with both estimating the cost of your project and matching you with the best contractors to do the work. At Roofr, we do this with our online estimator to help find you the best deals possible.Then, you can work with the best contractors available while going through all the details about your roof replacement.

Greater Flexibility

At the end of the day, educating yourself on this topic will help you negotiate and identify the best roof replacement options for your home. You can go the traditional route and find roofing companies by yourself, or you can use our method at Roofr to speed up the process and gain more flexibility in your choice.

If and when you are ready to get started, head to Roofr.com and get your roof replacement estimate in just 26 seconds. Have questions? Call 866-819-5215 to speak directly with a roofing specialist.

‍

Related Blog Posts:

Architectural Shingles Could Add Dimensions to Your Home

‍