Are your roof shingles in dire need of replacement, and don’t know how much money to set aside for the renovation process? We will break down the cost to replace roof shingles. The amount you pay depends on many factors, like your roof’s material and size, whether it’s a full roof replacement, labor wages, and more.
And because of the diversity of these features, budgeting can be a bane, especially if it’s your first time renovating the roof, but don’t worry!
We’re here to help with a comprehensive guide on the cost to replace roof shingles. But if you want an accurate price quote immediately, you can contact us now!
A Breakdown cost to replace Roof Shingles :
Roof renovations can take a toll on your bank account if you don’t plan them carefully. To set aside an accurate budget, check the features we listed below and their costs.
Roof Material
Roofing material is the most important feature to consider when budgeting. Shingles come in a myriad of materials with varying prices, most commonly asphalt, wood, metal, composite, slate, and solar. Here’s a rundown of each type and its price:
Asphalt
Asphalt is the most budget-friendly roofing material on the market, with a price ranging from $4 to $15 per square foot.
The lower side of this price range will get you three-tab shingles, which are ideal for limited budgets but less durable than other choices. Meanwhile, the higher side can get you an architectural asphalt shingle roof, which famously lasts more than three-tab shingles.
Wood
Wood shingles are slightly pricier than asphalt, with an average range of $7-$18 per square foot. While they offer more in terms of aesthetics and ease of maintenance, they’re more susceptible to damage than asphalt.
Metal
Metal is a high-end roofing material, so it comes at a higher price than most of the other types. The average price ranges from $15 to $35, and it includes various materials like zinc, copper, and aluminum.
Metal roofs are an ideal choice because of their unprecedented durability and fire resistance, but they might leave a dent in your bank account if your roof is large.
Composite
Composite shingles are a budget and eco-friendly choice for roofs, considering they’re partially made from recycled materials and fiberglass. They resemble basic asphalt shingles in appearance, but they cost more, with an average of $8-$13 per square foot.
The difference in price is because of the composite’s flexibility in terms of design. You can’t color asphalt shingles as you like, but you can customize composite to fit your house’s exterior.
Slate
Slate’s main selling point is its longevity, given that it can last up to 100 years or more if maintained properly. While it costs more than many other types, with an average price range of $10-$25, you get excellent value for money in change.
Solar
Solar shingles are the newest addition to the industry, and they combine the functionality of solar panels with the convenience of shingles.
They’re understandably more expensive than most roofing materials, at an average price of $15-$30 per square foot. However, they’re an ideal choice for environment-conscious folks because they render a house energy-efficient.
Roof Size
Your roof replacement and installation costs will depend significantly on its size. Naturally, the larger your roof is, the more shingles you’ll need, which will cost more money.
To help you set a budget, we calculated the price range of the most and least affordable roofing materials according to size. These are asphalt and solar, respectively.
No matter what material you choose, your roof costs will lie between the ranges we mention in the table below.
Full or Partial Roof Replacement
Sometimes, shingles get damaged by storms, hails, strong winds, and more. In these cases, the damage might be limited to a small area, and an expert roofer can replace the damaged part only. On the other side, problems like water damage and rot often spread to the entire roof, leaving you no option other than replacing it all.
If you’re lucky enough, you’ll be able to get away with a partial roof replacement, which will cost you much less than replacing the entire roof.
The average full roof replacement cost ranges from $5,000 to $50,000, including labor wages. Meanwhile, partial roof replacement can cost as little as $500.
Many people recommend saving money by attempting a DIY roof replacement. However, we advise against it because working with steep roofs is tricky, and accidents are common. Even if you have a flat roof, installing shingles requires experience because any mistake can lead to future issues like leaks and water damage.
Labor Wages
According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly wage of roofing contractors is $20 per hour. However, the number can drastically increase, up to $70 or more, due to various conditions.
For instance, if you live in a populous state, you should expect to pay more. Populous states like California and New York have higher wages, while less populous places are luckier. Also, you might pay more if your roof repairs are more physically demanding than average.
On a side note, some contractors charge by roofing square footage instead of an hourly rate. In this case, you should expect to pay about $4 to $8 per square foot.
Roof Pitch
The sloppiness of your roof directly affects its repair costs. The higher it is, the tougher the job will be for contractors because of safety concerns.
For instance, they might need to install scaffolds to ensure their safety while working. The average cost of scaffolding per day can go anywhere from $50 to $300. Accordingly, the longer your repairs take, the more money you’ll pay.
Also, especially steep roofs require extra structures beneath the shingles to secure them, which will add to the roofing costs.
The average roof slope is 3:12, which is reasonably easy to fix. If your roof is steeper than that,
you should expect to pay more than average.
Extra Repairs
Most of the time, roofs require more than a mere shingle replacement. Homeowners tend to address multiple damages at once instead of having the roofing company over every other day.
While easy to fix, common roof repairs like gutter cracks and a worn underlayment can add a lot to your roof cost. Here are some examples and their average prices:
- Repairing gutters: $100-$700
- Replacing the underlayment: $3 per square foot
- Fixing the chimney: $200-$5,000
- Replacing ridge vents: $150-$300
- Resealing the skylight: $80-$300
Kindly note that these roofing costs can slightly differ according to where you live, your roof’s size, and more.
Homeowners Insurance or Roof Warranty
In most cases, homeowners insurance covers roof replacements if the damage is due to any of the following events:
- Severe storms or harsh weather conditions
- Fire
- Vandalism
- Heavy snowing
If you’re getting a new roof because of a similar event, you might not need to pay all the costs we mentioned above. However, it’s important to note that regular wear and tear doesn’t fall under insurance.
Another factor that can decrease your roof replacement costs is a roof warranty. Most warranties cover damages caused by faulty installation or material defects. Installing a new roof because of similar instances will save you a lot of money.
Clean-up and Disposal Costs
After installing new shingles on your existing roof or getting an entirely new roof, you’ll have a lot of heavy materials to dispose of. Common examples are the old roof material, cut remnants of the new shingles, debris, and more.
The roofing contractor can dispose of them for you with extra fees ranging from $50 to $500. The exact price depends on the size of the clean-up.
Does Your Shingle Roof Need to Be Replaced or Repaired?
There are many signs to help you know whether your roof needs replacement or repairs. An expert roofer can identify them in seconds.
However, if you want to check for yourself before getting professional help, here are the signs that you need an entire shingle roof replacement:
- Age: If your shingle roof is past its average lifespan, chances are it needs a full replacement because of various wear and tear issues.
- Multiple missing shingles: One or two missing shingles don’t necessarily indicate a serious issue. However, multiple missing ones indicate a weakened adhesive, faulty installation, or curling, all of which call for a replacement.
- Cupping or clawing: Shingles can cup or claw because of harsh weather and regular wear and tear. Some affected shingles can be repaired, but if the issue spreads throughout the roof, you’ll need a new one.
- Extensive cracks: Some shingle materials expand and contract at different temperatures. Over time, this constant change can cause cracks, which lead to water leaks. While some cracks can be sealed, extensive cracks call for a roof replacement.
- Sagging roof: If your roof sags, chances are it’s suffering from extensive water or structural damage. To fix it, the roofing contractor will remove all the shingles and underlayment, which can lead to a replacement.
If you don’t have any of these issues, you can get away with easy roof repairs. Here are the signs you need roof maintenance:
- Broken shingles: If an object falls atop your roof and breaks a few shingles, you’ll need to repair them quickly to avoid water leaks. You can repair them by replacing the damaged parts or resealing cracks.
- Minor leaks: Small water leaks that are confined to one room can be fixed by using a sealant or a patching material without the need for a roof replacement.
- Small blisters: The constant contraction and expansion of shingle materials can cause blisters. If you see a few small ones, you can replace the affected shingles only. However, if they’re all over your roof, you’ll need a full replacement.
- Mold: Moldy roofs can be repaired using strong chemical solvents if the problem isn’t too extensive. Mold spots can also be cleaned using bleach and water to cover all traces.
Kindly note that some of these issues might indicate the presence of more serious ones. For example, the presence of mold can indicate extensive water leaks. That’s why it’s better to consult a professional before deciding on your approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Shingle Roofing Material?
Asphalt shingles are famously the best roofing material because of their budget-friendly prices, decent lifespan (15-30 years), and excellent performance in different weather conditions.
How Long Do Shingle Roofs Last?
The average lifespan of shingle roofs is 15 to 100 years, depending on the material and the weather conditions. For instance, metal shingles can last an average of 60 years, while slate shingles can last up to 100 years if maintained properly.
To Wrap Up
Setting a budget for a roof repair can be tricky because there are various factors in play. To know the cost to replace roof shingles, you should consider your roof’s material, size, pitch, damage extent, and extra needed repairs.
Then, you should consider the cost of professional clean-up and disposal and the average labor wages where you live. The good news is if you have insurance or a roofing warranty, you’ll pay less than planned.
If your roof needs repair or replacement, check out the professional roofing services we offer on our website!
