Need a new roof? Are you wondering why a new roof costs so much right now?
When homeowners get a roof estimate, there’s a tendency for jaws to hit the floor. You can't avoid the sticker shock when you learn a new roof costs as much as a new car or more.
I get wanting to wait, but you'll be asking for costly problems if you push it aside. Unfortunately, there’s no way around the fact that a new roof is an expensive purchase.
But why does it cost so much?
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided honest roofing industry information to homeowners just like you. That’s why I want to help you understand what makes a roof replacement such an expensive purchase.
By the end of this article, we'll cover the following reasons why a new roof costs so much:
- Roofing labor costs are high
- The materials and components that make up a roof
- Rise in prices of raw materials
- Scarcity of products
- Roofing companies are businesses
Roofing labor costs are high
Getting a new roof is a very labor-intensive construction project, so the labor costs are high. On top of this, the entire process requires skilled labor to do correctly to ensure the roof stays leak-free.
The labor cost for each crew member is based on their skill level, experience, and how much they can get done in a day. So, getting skilled laborers is also a huge reason why a new roof costs so much.
This is especially true when it comes to premium roofing materials that have a specialized and unique installation. Another thing that plays into labor costs, and pricing in general, is time.
The more time a roofer spends on your roof and property, the more labor costs go up. A complex and hard-to-access roof simply takes longer and more labor to complete, which means not working on other projects.
From setting up to tearing off your old roof to cleaning up your property after the job is done, labor and time are huge reasons a new roof is expensive.
The materials and components that make up a roof
A roof is made up of multiple materials and components that all play a crucial role in keeping your home leak-free. So, of course, the roof itself plays a huge role in pricing.
However, how much it affects pricing depends on a few things.
The main roofing material
Other than the roofer you hire, the roofing material you choose has the biggest impact on a new roof's cost. There are a variety of options that’ll fit your budget and the look you want.
The main roofing material makes up the bulk of your roof, so the one you end up choosing is a big reason why a new roof costs so much. If you’re looking for an affordable roof, an asphalt shingle roof is the best choice.
If you’re looking to upgrade to a longer-lasting roof system, there’s the standing seam metal roof. Then there are premium roof systems, like synthetic shingles, cedar shakes, and slate tiles, but these will be out of most budgets.
The rest of a roof system’s components
While the main roofing material makes up the bulk of your roof, there's much more beneath the surface. A roof is a combination of different components that come together to form a complete roof system.
Every single component has a price that adds to why a new roof is an expensive purchase.
The components that you’ll pay for when getting a new roof are:
- Roof decking (if applicable)
- Roof flashing
- Underlayment
- Drip edge
- Ice and water shield
- Ridge capping
- Roof vents
- Pipe boots
All of these components are crucial to ensure your roof stays leak-free. If even one of them is improperly installed or left off, you’ll have costly problems.
Rise in prices of raw materials
A new roof has always been a large investment. However, roofing prices in general have increased in 2025, with no signs of slowing down going into 2026.
This is one of the biggest reasons a new roof costs so much. The increased roofing prices come down to manufacturers raising their prices.
Manufacturers are charging more for their products because of the increasing cost of raw materials (like oil) that most roofing materials require during the manufacturing process. It’s not just roofing materials; building materials, like wood, metal, and others, are also getting more expensive.
Because a roof is a combination of roofing and building materials, this increases the price more.
Scarcity of products
Another big reason roofing prices have increased in recent years is due to the scarcity of products. Some roofing materials or products simply may not be readily available in certain areas, which requires shipping, special ordering, or having to get something else.
Obviously, this isn't the case everywhere. However, a big reason why some areas are seeing shortages is because insurance claims have skyrocketed over the last few years.
This has created an even greater demand for roofing materials. With the rise in demand, manufacturers and suppliers must keep up to ensure products are available.
Roofing companies are businesses
A roofing company is a business, so the operating costs and profit required have a big impact on why a new roof costs so much. Every roofer has operating expenses they must account for to keep their business running.
Some common operating costs of a roofing contractor are:
- Building and utilities cost
- Advertising and promotions
- Vehicles (fuel and insurance)
- General liability insurance
- Workers compensation insurance
- Licenses and bonds
- Training
- Employee payroll and payroll taxes
- Taxes (Federal and local government)
Not only do they have to make up this overhead, but they also need to make a profit. These operating costs and the company’s profit margins are big reasons a new roof is expensive.
Keep in mind that the size of the roofing company determines how high operating costs are and the profit required. That's why more established companies tend to be more expensive.
Are roofing prices expected to increase in 2026?
Yes, it's highly likely that roofing prices will see an increase in 2026. Manufacturers constantly review their prices and adjust based on the current cost of raw materials.
On top of this, suppliers usually update pricing on a quarterly basis to match manufacturer increases. The increases don't happen all at once, and roofing companies are given advance notice.
That's why estimates are usually good for 30 to 90 days to ensure they can honor the prices. However, there's no telling just how much roofing pricing will increase in 2026.
How much does a new roof cost right now?
Now you know the main reasons why a new roof costs so much. As I said, there’s no way around the fact that a new roof is an expensive purchase.
That’s why you need to know how you can expect to spend when it’s time for a roof replacement. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find resources with honest prices.
To help you even further, I wrote another article breaking down the average cost of a new roof, the price per square foot for different roofing materials, and much more.
Check out How Much a New Roof Costs in 2025 to learn the budget you’ll need for your upcoming roof replacement.
