A new shingle roof on a standard-sized home will cost between $5,000 and $12,000
A storm rolls through and leaves your home’s roof in disarray. Or, you’re renovating the exterior of your home and think a sleek new roof would go well with your new siding. Whatever the case, a new shingle roof is a great option. Shingles keep out moisture, protect your home from high winds, and keep your home’s energy system efficient.
Shingling a roof could cost as low as $5,000—but the top-end for a new roof installation could exceed $30,000 if you opt for high-end materials and have a large roof. This cost guide breaks down the cost of a shingle roof, so you know what to expect.
How Much Does a Shingle Roof Cost?
The national average price to shingle a standard-sized roof is between $5,000 and $12,000. This includes the cost of tearing up old shingles, making spot repairs, and installing new shingles. The types of shingles you choose, the size of your roof, its slope, and other factors could make the final price tag much, much higher—$30,000 or more.
A good per-square-foot estimate for asphalt shingle installation is between $3.50 and $5.50 per square foot. Opting for inexpensive materials could reduce that price to as low as $0.87 per square foot, meaning there’s some wiggle room for those on a budget.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Shingle Roof Near You?
The amount you’ll pay for a new shingle roof installation could also vary depending on where you live.
Here are some by-state averages to give you a good idea how much you’ll pay:
Arizona: $5,600–$10,000
California: $6,400–$15,400
Colorado: $6,300–$12,300
Florida: $8,000–$16,500
Maryland: $4,500–$9,500
Michigan: $6,550–$11,900
New Jersey: $5,800–$10,000
Texas: $5,800–$10,600
Washington: $7,000–$13,800
Generally speaking, shingle installation in the south and rural areas costs less than coastal states and those with a higher cost of living.
What Type of Shingle Roof Can I Get on My Budget?
Material cost and roof size are the driving factors in the price of your roofing project. But you could save money by getting multiple quotes and only completing the necessary extra work.
<$5,000
For $5,000 or less, simple asphalt (composition) shingles are your best bet. Keep in mind that this price range may only be attainable for a small or average-sized roof. (The average roof is about 2 to 30 squares or 2,000 to 3,000 square feet.)
You could also consider adding a shingle overlay to your roof instead of reroofing to save money. However, most pros advise against an overlay because it adds weight to your roof and may cover problems instead of fixing them. Overlays can also void your manufacturer warranty.
$5,000–$12,000
Larger roofs that use asphalt or smaller roofs that use affordable metal materials can help homeowners stay in the national average for their roof installation.
Metal shingles can vary significantly in price, but budget-friendly options usually start at around $125 per square.
$12,000–$30,000+
Beyond the $12,000 mark, homeowners have many high-end shingle materials to choose from for their roofs. Clay tile roofs, slate roofs, and solar roofs are some other popular options.
A large roof using high-end materials (for example, natural slate costs $800 to $1,800 per square) could easily exceed $30,000.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Shingle Roof Yourself?
While doing projects DIY can save you money, roofing is a job best left to professionals. There’s not really any other way to say it: Don’t install a shingle roof by yourself.
Installing a roof yourself can be dangerous (not to mention scary). Mistakes can also prove quite expensive, not only to repair the roof itself but also to fix any rotten boards or wet insulation and drywall beneath.
Shingle Roof Cost Breakdown
Five primary factors make up the price tag for a new shingle roof.
Reroofing vs. Installing a New Roof
Reroofing a home costs around the same as installing a new shingle roof (between $5,000 and $12,000). But if extensive work is needed to remove old shingles and your roof requires more fixes post-removal, you might wind up paying more than simply installing a new shingle roof.
Materials
Materials make up about 30% of the cost when installing a new roof. Supply houses typically charge by square, or 100 square feet of roof. The average roof needs between 20 and 30 squares to cover.
Inexpensive materials like composition and asphalt 3-tab (two of the common types of asphalt shingles) are the most budget-friendly. Cedar or wood shake, metal, clay tiles, slate, and eco-friendly options can drive your budget up significantly.
Size of the Roof
Contractors quote you based on the size, pitch, and height of your roof. The larger the roof, the more materials and labor it takes to install.
Installation
Labor costs make up as much as 70% of roofing installation jobs. Most contractors charge by the job, so accurately quoting how much a shingle roof installation may cost is difficult.
Permits
Many municipalities require permits for new roof installation or reroofing projects. They may cost up to $500.
What Factors Influence the Cost to Install a Shingle Roof?
The type of shingles you choose and the state of your roof could also influence the price of your new roof.
Materials
Roofing professionals have experience with multiple materials (unless the company specializes in one, like metal or clay tiles). Installation costs could vary based on who you hire.
Necessary Repairs
On older roofs, repairs such as reinforcing rafters or removing rotten boards from your roof are sometimes necessary before your pro can install new shingles. Many contractors won’t agree to put new shingles on without completing these tasks first.
Roof Slope
Steeply pitched roofs make installation more difficult and dangerous. Most professionals will charge more as a result. Many contractors will also charge more for a two story roof than a one story, since there is more risk involved.
Shingle Thickness
Thicker shingles last longer and hold up to inclement weather patterns. But they cost more to purchase by square, and some contractors may upcharge the installation cost as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many homeowners look at the life expectancy of their shingles when deciding on materials for a new roof. For example, metal costs more, but many homeowners believe metal roofs are better than asphalt shingles because they last 30 to 40 years longer. There’s certainly nothing wrong with even affordable asphalt, which is graded for 110 mph winds or more and can last up to 25 years. If you use six nails instead of four, the wind rating increases to 130 mph.
Clay and even wood are some of the other most popular types of roofing shingles.
Roofing jobs are often paired together. Making renovations to the exterior of your home, such as adding new siding or upgrading your rain gutters are both popular options.
If your roof is in good functional shape and you’re trying to keep costs low, it might be best to skip non-essential projects and stick to only the most pressing jobs, such as reinforcing rotted or compromised roof rafters.
As a best practice, you should always obtain at least three quotes before hiring a roofing contractor. This could help you save on installation costs and make sure you’re getting fair market value.
