How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost in 2024?

Is it time for the roof replacement you’ve been putting off? Are you dreading how much it’ll affect your bank account?

This is completely normal and, honestly, understandable. A roof replacement is an expensive project, which is why the first question is always about pricing.

I can sit here and give you plenty of individual costs that make it appear cheaper than it really is, but that’s part of homeowners' frustration about the roofing industry. I’m tired of seeing misleading information, so let’s do something different.

For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in being as transparent as possible with our customers, even if the sticker shock makes them choose someone else. That’s why I’ll break down the cost of roof replacement. 

By the end of this article, you’ll have the answers to the following questions:

• How much does a roof replacement cost in 2024?
• How much does a roof replacement cost per square foot based on the roofing material?
• What directly impacts the cost of your roof replacement?

How much does a roof replacement cost in 2024?

According to the 2024 COST VS VALUE REPORT, the average cost of roof replacement in the United States is $30,680. While having an overall average is a good starting point, it doesn’t specify shingle type, account for area-specific pricing, and other cost factors (more on this later).

Realistically, most asphalt roof replacements will cost between $20,000 to $25,000 for a standard middle-class home, give or take a little. Keep in mind every roof and home is different, so it’s hard to know if your roof replacement will be around this price. 

Luckily, we can get more specific with a per-square-foot price based on the roofing material. 

Below is the cost per square foot of the top roofing materials for a full roof replacement, including labor and material costs. 

(Click the link on an individual roofing material to learn more)

The numbers above aren’t exact, but you can apply them to your roof’s square footage for a more accurate idea of your roof replacement’s cost. Doing this also helps you determine which roofing material is right for you. 

What directly impacts the cost of your roof replacement?

I’m sure you have some sticker shock after seeing the cost numbers above, but a new roof isn’t meant to be cheap. That’s why it’s important to understand what a roofer considers when estimating your roof replacement’s cost.

Let’s look at the factors that directly impact the cost of a roof replacement.

The roofing company you hire

The roofing company you hire is the biggest thing that impacts how much a roof replacement costs. The company’s operating costs plus the required profit factor into every line item. 

Like operating costs and profit, labor costs depend on the roofer you hire. Every single aspect of your roof replacement will have an associated labor cost, which should be broken down in your estimate. 

Unfortunately, there’s no set price for labor or overhead costs. So, the rest of the cost factors listed here will be impacted by the specific roofer’s labor and overhead costs. 

The roofing material and other roofing components

The main roofing material has a huge impact on pricing, but the other components required to form a full roof system also factor into it. So, each component and accessory will be wrapped into the price per square foot. 

The other components you'll pay for are: 

• Drip edge
• Underlayment
• Ice & water shield
• Starter shingles
• Roof vents and ventilation system
• Roof flashing
• Ridge capping
• Pipe boots

Each component and material listed must be included in your roof replacement, or I guarantee you’ll have problems down the road.

The number of layers being torn off

Tearing off your old roof is an important part of the roof replacement process, so it will always add to the labor cost. However, the number of layers being torn off also matters. 

If your roof has more than one layer, it increases the amount of labor and debris coming off. So, there will always be an initial labor cost for tearing off the first layer, with additional charges added for each layer.

Dump fees

The tear-off process creates a lot of debris, which must be properly disposed of at local dumps or recycling centers. These dumpsites charge significant fees to throw away roofing and building materials, so dump fees also factor into a roof replacement’s cost. 

Like with tearing off, most roofers charge an initial labor and dump fee for the first layer and an added dump fee for each layer after.

How much decking needs to be replaced

Decking is the wooden boards that act as a roof’s framing on which your roof system is installed. The amount of decking that needs to be replaced impacts the cost of your new roof.

(Full roof deck replacement)

If your roofer knows how much is needed at the start, it will be included in your roof estimate. On the other hand, the cost will be added to the final invoice if they find that bad decking after the tear-off process.

The size of your roof

The most obvious factor is the square footage of your roof. It affects the amount of materials required, labor, and time needed to complete the job. 

Just know roofers commonly use roofing squares when talking about a roof's size. However, this is simply an industry term for a 10x10 area equal to 100 square feet of roof area.

Your roof’s accessibility

Roofers need an access point for all parts of the roof replacement process, from tear-off to installation and everything in between. The harder your roof is to access, the more it impacts a roof replacement’s cost.

Landscaping, rows of bushes, and anything below the roofline makes a roof hard to access. However, fencing around the property, no paved surface near the access point, and close neighboring houses also play a factor.

The number of penetrations your roof has

A roof penetration is anything that comes through your roof, like plumbing vents, gas vents, kitchen/bathroom vents, skylights, and chimneys. The more penetrations your roof has, the more it affects the cost of replacing it.  

Smaller pipes or vents won’t impact pricing much, but skylights and chimneys can add a pretty penny because they take longer to flash and work around.

Roof pitch

Roof pitch is your roof's slope (angle), which ranges from flat to almost completely vertical. It’s a ratio calculated by how many inches or feet a roof rises vertically for every 12 inches or feet it extends horizontally. 

So, a roof that is 6 inches (or feet) up for every 12 inches (feet) out is considered a 6/12 pitch. The steeper the roof pitch, the more it costs to replace. 

This is simply because it’s more difficult and takes longer to install due to moving slower and safer. Roof pitch also affects your roofing material options and a roof’s square footage, which you already know has a big impact on pricing.

Roof complexity

Complexity is how cut up your roof is with the number of facets, hips, valleys, and stories off the ground. Your roof’s complexity has a huge impact on how much it costs to replace it. 

(Very complex roof)

Like roof pitch, this is simply because a roof with many facets at multiple angles, hips, valleys, and two or more stories off the ground is more difficult and takes much longer to roof than a ranch-style home’s roof.

What should you consider before your roof replacement?

After reading this article, you now have an idea of how much a roof replacement costs. While most asphalt shingle roofs will be around $20,000, you can use your roof’s square footage and the per-square-foot prices in the table to get a more accurate number. 

While the prices here aren’t exact, they’ll help you understand the budget you need. However, getting an estimate from a roofing contractor is the only way to get 100% accurate pricing. 

But don’t pick up the phone to call or do a Google search just yet. There are some things you need to keep in mind before replacing your roof before reaching out to a roofer. 

The last thing you want is to be taken advantage of because you didn’t have the right information or mindset when going into the process. That’s why I wrote another article breaking down what you need to know before replacing your roof.

Check out 5 Things to Consider When Replacing Your Roof to learn what every homeowner should keep in mind as they start the process.