What drives roof replacement cost
The single biggest lever is material. Asphalt shingles are the budget option; metal, wood, tile, and slate climb steeply from there and last longer in return. After material, the cost is set by roof size (in squares — 100 sq ft each), pitch (steeper roofs need staging and harnesses), the number of stories, how many old layers must be torn off, and your local labor market.
Typical cost per square by material
The calculator uses installed per-square ranges for each and then applies your pitch, height, tear-off, and regional factors. See the methodology for the exact coefficients.
If the damage came from a storm, don’t pay out of pocket without checking coverage first. Run the cause through the coverage verdict, then estimate your ACV-vs-RCV payout.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a roof?
For a typical ~22-square home, an architectural-asphalt re-roof runs roughly $9,000–$18,000 (national average near $11,000). Basic 3-tab is less per square; metal runs about $9–$16 per square foot, and tile or slate cost several times more than asphalt. Set your material and size above for a tuned range.
What is a roofing square?
A roofing square equals 100 square feet of roof surface. Roofers price and order materials by the square, not the square foot. An average home roof is about 15–30 squares. If you only know your footprint, use the roof measurement calculator to convert it.
Does the price include tearing off the old roof?
Our estimate adds tear-off and disposal as a separate line item — about $100–$175 per square per existing layer. An overlay (no tear-off) is cheaper up front but is limited to one extra layer and can hide deck problems. Set the number of layers above.
Why is my quote higher than the estimate?
Steep or complex roofs, multiple stories, rotted decking discovered at tear-off, premium underlayment, flashing and ventilation upgrades, and high local labor all push real quotes up. Treat this as a planning baseline and get 2–3 written quotes.
How much does shingle replacement cost?
Replacing an asphalt shingle roof typically runs about $400–$800 per square installed — roughly $9,000–$18,000 for an average ~22-square home, including tear-off. Architectural shingles cost more than 3-tab but last longer. Choose your shingle type above for a tuned estimate.
Sources & methodology
- Roof replacement cost data — Angi (industry cost guide)
- Roof replacement cost data — Bob Vila
- Roofing cost per square / per square foot data — HomeGuide
- A licensed, insured roofing contractor in your area — the authoritative source for a measured quote and scope
Estimates compiled from the sources above and standard cost models — not professional, insurance, or legal advice, and may not reflect your policy or local prices. See our full methodology and disclaimer.