How Much Does a New Roof Cost?

If you are planning to replace your roof with a new one, you must be aware of the variables or factors that determine the price of your roof. Price range change drastically depending on the different variables included in the roof requirements, as well as the cost of labor of installation. You must know that roof replacement is one of the most expensive upgrades every homeowner can make.

It is always best to ask for a quote from your roofing contractor. However, you must also know what variables and factors to look at before you agree on the quote given to you by the contractor. Hare some of them.

1. The size of the roof

This includes the size of the roof that you need is the biggest factor of the total cost of the roof. Usually, contractors charge per roofing square. A roofing square is computed as 10 by 10 foot is equals to 1 roofing square. For instance, if you need a 2,000 square feet roof, it will be computed as 20 squares.  Pricing per roofing square depends on your location, of course.

2. Price of roof replacement in your area

As mentioned above, the price range of roof replacement depends on your area. Generally, contractors follow a certain price range that is considered normal in the are they are located. For your guidelines and so you would know what to expect, roof replacement price range across the United States of America starts from $5,000 for the commonly used asphalt material to a whopping $25,000 for roofs that are considered higher-end.

3. Pitch

The pitch of a roof or the angle is included in the cost factor. Usually, there is a calculation involved in this and the cost depends on the number of inches the roof rises vertically for every 12 inches or one foot the roof extends horizontally. Does it sound complicated? Here is a sample computation. If your roof rises 8 inches for every 1 foot or 12 inches horizontal run, the calculation is 8 in 12 pitch.

When do you need to know the pitch of your roof?

Calculating the pitch of your roof is especially helpful when you are planning to renovate your home and add skylights, cut rake boards, or replace your roof entirely.

4. The cost of the material

This might get a little tricky. When you are getting a quote estimate from your roofing contractor for your roof replacement, the cost of the material also include accompanying materials for the roof. Usually, the beginning and the end of the roof is also included.

What are the different types of roofing materials used? There are different types of roofing materials used for roofs, and the cost of each type varies.

• Asphalt shingles – This is the most common material used in roofing because they are proven effective to withstand environmental conditions.
• Solar tiles – Solar tiles are easy to install because of the seamless integration of the ´tiles into the existing roof shingles, and usually generating up to 1 kW of energy per one hundred square feet.
• Metal roofing – Metal roofing is another common roofing material used and usually has a lifespan of 60 years. It comes in vertical shingles or panels similar to slate, tile, and shake. It is lightweight and great at sloughing off rain and snow. The cost $5 to $12 per square foot, depending on the metal’s style and type.
• Slate – If you want your roof to last for about 100 years old, slate roofing is one of your best bets. It is waterproof, fireproof, and mold and fungus resistant. So expect it to be expensive and heavy. It may also be easily broken when hard pressure is applied or stepped on. However, it is effective for a wet season or climate.
• Stone-coated steel – This material can resist potential damage caused by heavy rain.
• Rubber slate – This material looks natural and can be easily cut with a knife to fit roofs with intricate details like those of homes that have Victorian themes.
• Built-up roofing – This is considered heavy roofing, which made up of layers of asphalt, adhesive or tar with aggregate on top. This is only ideal for flat roofs. This kind of roofing materials can become sticky during hot weather and can only last up to 25 years.
• Clay and concrete tiles – This material can withstand potential damage caused by strong wind, hurricanes, and tornadoes. They are also great for warmer climates but may need extra support because they are heavy and likely to break when stepped on.
• Green roofs – this is probably one of the most expensive types of a roof but the most eco-friendly and cost-efficient in the long run. It is a worthy investment.

5. Number of layers

in determining the cost of the number of layers your roof needs, your contractor might also add the labor cost of taking off old layers. ensure that you clarify this with your contractor.

6. Code requirements for your roof

Contractors follow the code requirements of your roof and calculate the cost factor depending on their findings.

7. Removal of waste material

Another factor that can drive up the cost of your new roof is the problems with your gutters, chimneys, ventilation, plumbing pipes, and other issues that need to be addressed during the installation process. You must also inspect your gutter for any problems when you decide to replace your roof. keep in mind that if they are damaged, water would seep up underneath the shingles and into your ceilings, causing more damages. You can also get a junk removal company to do this for you.

8. Labor cost

labor cost also depends on the area where you live. Usually, contractors charge a fair amount of fee depending on the extent of service they were able to render, especially if it involves doing extra work more than what is expected of them like cleaning up your pipes, working on extreme weather conditions, and how far your location is.

Conclusion

When you ask your contractor to give you a quotation of how much it will cost you to replace or upgrade your roof, remember that they won’t list down all the variable mentioned above in details. You might have to ask and be specific about that if you want to know the exact breakdown of the cost of the new roof.

The project is sizable but can lead to discovering hidden problems and unexpected complications. so you might have to shell out an amount more than the actual cost of the roof.

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