The biggest concern for most people before any purchase is how much it’ll cost. Getting a new roof is no different.
The truth is, a new roof is an expensive investment. But unfortunately, it’s hard to find honest and transparent information about pricing in the roofing industry.
I want to change that.
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in answering the hard questions the rest of the industry avoids. That’s why I’ll answer the cost question head-on by giving you up-to-date roofing prices for 2023.
This article covers the following:
- The average cost of a new roof in 2023
- The cost of a new asphalt roof in 2023
- The cost of a new metal roof in 2023
- The cost of a new cedar shake roof in 2023
- The cost of a new synthetic shingle roof in 2023
- The cost of a slate roof in 2023
Disclaimer: These numbers aren't perfect, and the actual price depends on multiple cost factors based on your roof and the contractor you hire. However, the numbers in the sections below can give you an idea of how much you’ll have to budget.
What’s the average cost of a new roof in 2023?
Let’s start by discussing what the average homeowner is paying for a new roof in 2023. Remember, it's impossible to give you an exact price because of the many factors that go into the cost of a new roof.
Most homeowners can expect the average cost of a new roof in 2023 to be around $15,000. This price is based on a home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a walkable roof pitch, a little roof complexity, and architectural asphalt shingles.
The cost of your roof could be less, more, or fit right in this price range. But you won’t know the exact cost until a local roofing contractor inspects your roof.
Now that you know the average cost let’s get to the cost per square foot of the most common types of roofing materials in 2023.
How much does a new asphalt roof cost in 2023?
An asphalt shingle roof is the most common type of roof you see on homes today. There are three types of asphalt shingles with different price points for you to choose from.
An asphalt shingle roof is one of the most affordable types available, depending on which shingle you get.
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 3-tab asphalt 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 architectural shingles, 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.
If you’re looking for affordability without sacrificing quality, an architectural asphalt shingle roof is a great option. But if you want to add more lifespan and curb appeal, a luxury asphalt shingle is the way to go.
How much does a new metal roof cost in 2023?
There are two types of metal roof systems, a screw down panel metal roof system and a standing seam metal roof system. The one you choose has a big impact on your metal roof’s cost.
(Screw down metal roof)
A new screw down panel (also called exposed fastener) roof starts around $4.50 per square foot. On the other hand, a new standing seam metal roof costs around $15.00 per square foot.
(Complex standing seam metal roof)
This number could be lower or higher depending on roof complexity, including the size, the number of valleys, penetrations, facets, your roof’s pitch, and more. I’m sure you noticed the big price difference between the two.
But a standing seam metal roof system requires significantly less maintenance, offers more life, and comes with better warranties than a screw down panel metal roof.
How much does a synthetic shingle roof cost in 2023?
Composite (aka synthetic) shingles are made of a synthetic polymer or recycled materials and designed to mimic a natural slate or cedar shake roof. No matter if you choose the slate or cedar shake option, both synthetic shingles are large investments.
(Left: synthetic slate; Right: synthetic cedar shake)
A new synthetic shingle roof costs around $14.00-$20.00 per square foot. While synthetic shingles look like natural slate and cedar shake, a synthetic roof will always be cheaper than the material it mimics.
As I said, a synthetic shingle roof is a sizable investment. So, you may want to avoid this roof or the other types of premium roof systems if you’re only considering affordable options.
How much does a new cedar shake roof cost in 2023?
A cedar shake roof is a premium roof system made of natural wood (cedar) materials. It’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing roofs on the market.
This sets a cedar shake roof apart from the more common roof types. But this high curb appeal comes at a very steep price point.
A new cedar shake roof costs around $25.00 to $30.00 per square foot. Not only are the materials expensive, but the labor it takes to install cedar shake shingles is intensive.
The cost is also affected by the grade of cedar shake shingle you choose. Just know that the availability of cedar shake products varies by region.
How much does a new slate roof cost in 2023?
A slate roof is a premium system made primarily of natural slate roofing materials. It’s one of, if not the longest-lasting roof systems on the market.
It also offers a big boost to your home’s curb appeal, like a cedar shake roof. For labor and materials, a new slate roof costs around $15.00 per square foot on the low end but has the potential to get up to around $30.00 or more per square foot very quickly.
Just know that if your home can’t handle the weight of a slate roof the way it is, you’ll have to retrofit it. This needs approval by a structural engineer and must be done before the roof can even be installed.
If your home requires retrofitting or new framing, it’ll really add to the cost of your new slate roof.
Get the guide with all the information you need when getting a new roof
Now you should have a good idea of the budget you’ll need for a new roof. Remember, the numbers in this article aren’t exact.
However, they do give you an idea of the budget you’ll need for a new roof in 2023. While knowing the cost is valuable information to have, there’s still a lot more to learn about getting a new roof.
That’s why I created a buyer’s guide with all the information a homeowner needs when buying a new roof. The Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof helps you pick the right roofing material, how to find a great roofing contractor, how to avoid being taken advantage of, and much more.
Don’t experience buyer’s remorse; keep going to get The Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been repairing, replacing, and installing all roof types in Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas since 1990. We take pride in everything we do and provide a lifetime craftsmanship warranty to be there for you if there’s ever a problem.
If you’re ready to start the process of getting a new roof in Nashville or a surrounding Middle Tennessee area, don’t hesitate to Contact Us for all of your roofing needs.
Here’s The Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof to help you make all the right decisions, find a great roofer, and so much more.
