Highlights
Roof trusses cost between $1.50 and $4.50 per square foot.
The total cost of a truss depends on the size, type of truss, and pitch of the roof.
Labor for truss installation runs between $20 and $70 per hour.
Scissor trusses cost 15% to 30% more than a common truss, ranging between $45 to $500 each.
Whether you're building a roof over a new-built house or replacing your old roof, you'll need to install truss frames, which come in different shapes and styles.
For a small house of 1,000 square feet, roof truss costs can be anywhere between $3,600 and $6,000. You'll spend anywhere from $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot of building area for materials alone or between $35 and $400 for more complex types.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Roof Truss Per Square Foot?
Roof truss prices fall anywhere between $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot for materials, but the total price of the roof truss depends on the building area, the pitch of the roof, and the type of truss.
For a 10-foot-span, a truss roof costs between $30 to $50, while a 60-foot-span costs between $300 to $320. Talk to a local framing contractor to get accurate pricing for your specific project.
| Roof Truss Size | Cost |
|---|---|
| 30 square feet | $45–$135 |
| 40 square feet | $60–$180 |
| 50 square feet | $75–$225 |
Truss Roof Cost Breakdown
Roof truss prices are between $7,200 and $12,000. Here is a breakdown of everything that adds to the total cost of installing a truss roof:
Truss cost: Between $35 to $400 each
Labor cost: Runs between $20 and $75 per hour
Equipment: The crane (including operator) costs $300 to $1,000, depending on how long the job takes
Waste removal: Expect to pay an extra $100 to $200 for waste removal
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Roof by Truss Type?
Trusses are usually pre-engineered in a factory and are shipped to the construction site to assemble.
A roof truss has many types; each offers a different style of support and configurations to bear the load and create a roof’s exterior frame along with interior space based on your preferences. Learn the average roof truss prices for various types below.
Scissor Roof Cost (Aka Vaulted Truss)
Scissor trusses cost 15% to 30% more than a common truss, ranging between $45 to $500 each.
A scissor truss is used to create vaulted ceilings or interesting ceiling shapes, which is commonly seen in residential home construction.
Attic Roof Cost
An attic truss costs two times more than the common truss, which can cost anywhere between $70 to $800 each.
Attic trusses have two vertical posts spaced apart to allow for loft living and more attic space. The attic truss creates usable space in the attic for storage or additional living space. It’s commonly used in residential homes.
What Factors Influence Roof Truff Costs?
Overall, roof truss prices fluctuate due to location, size, and roof complexity. Here are some things that influence the final cost of the roof truss.
Truss Type
Some trusses are more affordable than others. In some cases, the building only requires one truss type or a combination of different kinds of trusses, depending on the design and the construction.
Size and Pitch of the Roof
The price increases from $3 to $5 per foot on average, so the bigger your roof, the more you’ll end up spending.
Truss Material
Wood tends to be half the price of metal trusses, but each material has its pros and cons.
Labor Cost
Labor charges between $20 and $30 per hour, and can run as high as $75 per hour. While the average roof truss installation prices are about $7,200 to $12,000, the final cost depends on your location.
Equipment
A crane (with operator) costs $300 to $1,000, depending on how long the job takes.
Waste Removal
You may pay an extra $100 to $200 for disposal fees for waste. However, in the case of installing new prefab trusses, the waste reduces significantly.
Type of Building
While a home truss roof can cost between $7,200 to $12,000, smaller home additions like a pole barn or a detached garage can cost between $5,000 to $10,000 since they don’t need the same support or insulation of a house.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Roof Yourself?
Building a roof yourself may seem like a great project to tackle, but unless you’re a skilled carpenter or licensed contractor, don’t put the tool belt on just yet.
DIY will save $2,240 on labor—assuming your contractors would have worked the average number of hours (112 hours at $20 per hour) to complete this project. Though most of the time, roof trusses are prefabricated, which reduces labor costs significantly. A professional would just assemble trusses on-site quickly and efficiently, which would lower the overall labor cost.
However, installing a truss is not a job for an amateur DIYer. You should hire a professional to avoid damage from an improper truss frame installation and to ensure your safety.
“Until a truss is not only secured to the structure but also secured with temporary cross-bracing, it’s an extremely dangerous job,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “In addition to following all of the normal preventative measures, make sure the perimeter of the building is cleared of workers until the trusses are secure.”
DIYing a truss may save you labor money, but it will also cost you:
Materials: It will cost anywhere between $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot of building area
Equipment: The crane will cost $150 per day
Permits: You need to obtain a permit, which will cost $500
Warranty: Check with the manufacturer because DIY jobs may void the warranty
FAQs
What is the difference between trusses vs. rafters?
Trusses and rafters are both built ahead of time before installing them onto the roof. Rafters are custom built (“stick built”) and require the skill of an expert carpenter to build and install them directly on the job site, which takes longer to finish. Besides, they are more expensive than trusses—they cost between $7 and $16 a square foot.
Trusses are built in a factory using pre-engineered structures and joints. They come in different types, can be installed in a day, and cost less than rafters—$1.50 to $4.50 per square foot on average. The majority of today’s houses use trusses rather than rafters.
What is the difference between wood and steel trusses?
The majority of roofs are wood trusses. Wood costs anywhere from $35 to $400 per truss, depending on the size of the roof. Mainly used in residential construction, wood trusses are about half the cost of steel, but they can be susceptible to warping and damage over time because of environmental factors.
Steel framing is great to build larger roofs since it provides more stability for longer spans and taller roofs. However, steel costs nearly twice as much as wood, running between $150 to $600 each.
A steel frame may provide versatility for home additions or attic spaces, using less material, which provides the most space and the highest ceilings. Otherwise, wood frames braced with steel can often achieve the job for a considerably lower price.
