When you get the news that you need a new roof, there are a lot of questions running through your mind. The biggest question (and concern) you and other homeowners have is how much it’s going to cost.
The truth is, a roof replacement isn’t going to be cheap. It’s also impossible to give you an exact price on your replacement without getting on your roof and coming up with an estimate.
But that doesn't mean we can’t give you an idea of how much it’ll cost based on what the average homeowner pays for a new roof. Because we want you to have the knowledge required to make the right purchasing decision, we’re going to do just that.
Since 1990, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality roof replacements in Nashville and surrounding areas. We work with you and your budget to get a great-looking roof that’ll last. And after we’re done replacing your roof, you’ll have a lifetime warranty on our workmanship.
First this article covers the average cost to replace a roof. After that, you'll learn the cost per square foot of 4 common types of roofing materials to help you determine which type of roof fits your budget.
And at the very end, there's a guide that gives you all the information you need to know about your upcoming roof replacement.
The average cost to replace a roof
There are a lot of factors that go into the cost of your new roof. Because of this, it’s hard to give an exact price for your replacement.
But we can at least give you the average cost of a new roof for a standard middle-class home that many homeowners have. The price range below is based on a home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a walkable roof pitch, a little roof complexity, and dimensional asphalt shingles.
No two homes or roofs are going to be the same, but most homeowners can expect the average cost to replace a roof to be around $12,000 to $15,000. Be aware, your roof could be less, more, or fit right in the price range above.
But you won’t know the exact cost until you get a local roofing contractor to give you an estimate for your roof replacement.
How much does a new roof cost based on the roofing material you choose?
You just learned the average cost homeowners pay to replace a roof. Remember, the price range above is based on getting a new asphalt shingle roof.
You need to be aware the roofing material you choose for your replacement plays a huge role in the cost of your new roof. That’s why we’re going to give you the cost per square foot for the 4 most common types of roofing materials.
You’ll get a good idea of the cost of your new roof by using the numbers below and multiplying it by the square footage of your roof.
Disclaimer: These numbers aren’t perfect. The actual price you’ll pay depends on multiple cost factors that’re based on your roof and the contractor you hire.
Asphalt shingle roof cost
An asphalt shingle roof is the most common type of roof you see on homes today. It’s a roof system made primarily out of asphalt shingles and other asphalt roofing components. It’s also the most affordable type of roof on the market.
For a one-story house with a basic up and over roof with no penetrations and no valleys, you can expect to pay around $4.00 per square foot. This includes architectural shingles, underlayment, and other roof components.
For a two-story house with a little complexity and good accessibility, you can expect to pay around $5.86 per square foot. This includes a good quality architectural shingle, upgrading your underlayment, and using all of the manufacturer’s roofing components.
For a two-story house with a cut-up, complex roof, a steep pitch, and not easily accessible, you can expect to pay around $8.50 per square foot. This includes luxury shingles, using all of the manufacturer’s roofing components, and upgrading to copper for the flashing and in the valleys.
Metal roof cost
There are two types of metal roofs: a standing seam metal roof and a screw-down metal panel roof.
A screw-down panel metal roof system (also known as an exposed fastener) is just what it's called; it's screwed down. The screws are screwed through the panel, which leaves no room for expansion and contraction.
A screw down panel metal roof costs around $4.50 per square foot starting out.
A standing seam metal roof system is a series of panels locked together at the seams or seamed mechanically. This allows for panels to expand and contract freely when the metal heats up.
For a one-story house with a basic up and over roof with no penetrations and no valleys, you can expect a 24 gauge steel standing seam metal roof to cost around $12.00 per square foot.
For a one-story house with a mildly complex roof, you can expect to pay around $15.00 per square foot for a 24 gauge steel standing seam metal roof.
If you’re interested in a metal roof for your upcoming residential roof replacement, I recommend a standing seam metal roof. This doesn't mean you can’t put a screw down metal roof over your home.
But to get the most out of your metal roof investment, I would recommend going with a standing seam metal roof system.
Cedar shake roof cost
A cedar shake roof is a premium roof system made of natural wood (cedar) materials. While it serves the same functions as an asphalt or metal roof, it’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing roofs you’ll see.
But this premium roof system comes in at a premium price point. The price has also drastically increased due to rising prices in the roofing industry and scarcity of materials.
With this in mind, you can expect a cedar shake roof to cost around $25.00-$30.00 per square foot. Just like asphalt shingles, the cost will be affected by which grade of cedar shake shingle you choose for your roof replacement.
To find the right one for you, read this article on the different grades of cedar shake shingles.
Slate roof cost
A slate roof is a premium roof system made primarily out of natural slate tiles and other slate roofing materials. It’s one of the most beautiful and long-lasting roof systems on the market.
For labor and materials, you can expect a slate roof to start around $15.00 per square foot and has the potential to get up to around $30.00 or more per square foot.
You can expect to pay at least 4 times more for a slate roof than you would for an asphalt roof. This makes slate one of the most expensive types of roofing materials on the market for a roof replacement.
The guide with everything you need to know about your roof replacement
Now you have an idea of what you can expect to pay for a new roof. Based on the prices above, you should have a good idea of which roofing material you want for your new roof.
But there's even more information you need to know so you can make the best purchasing decisions possible. That's where The Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof comes in.
The guide gives you the pros and cons of every roofing material, all the components that need to be part of your replacement, how to find a great roofing contractor, and so much more. Don't go into the roof replacement process blind, get your guide now.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has repaired, maintained, and replaced all the different types of roofing materials in the Nashville area since 1990. Giving you the roof of your dreams and being there for you if there’s ever a problem is our main goal. If you’re local to Nashville, don’t hesitate to contact us for any of your roofing needs.
Here’s Your Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof to learn everything you need to know about your upcoming roof replacement and to make all the right decisions.
