Roof Replacement Cost

What drives the cost

• Roof area: roofers price by the "square" (100 sq ft), so a larger or more complex roof costs more.
• Pitch and accessibility: steep or multi-story roofs need more safety equipment and slower work.
• Material: asphalt shingles, metal, tile, and slate span a wide price spectrum in both material and labor.
• Tear-off layers: removing multiple existing shingle layers adds labor and disposal fees.
• Decking and flashing repairs: hidden rot is only found after tear-off and is usually billed per sheet.
• Permits and disposal: dumpster rental and local permit fees vary by jurisdiction.

Typical replacement process

1. Inspection and measurement, often with photos of problem areas.
2. Written estimate specifying material, underlayment, and ventilation details.
3. Tear-off of old roofing and inspection of the decking.
4. Decking repairs, then underlayment, ice-and-water shield, and flashing.
5. New roofing installation and ridge ventilation.
6. Site cleanup with a magnetic sweep for nails, then final inspection.

Choosing a roofer: checklist

• Local license (where required) and both liability and workers' comp insurance.
• Written scope: tear-off vs. overlay, underlayment type, flashing replacement.
• Per-sheet price for decking repairs agreed before work starts.
• Manufacturer certification if you want an enhanced material warranty.
• Workmanship warranty in writing.
• Payment schedule tied to milestones — never 100% upfront.