Roofing Calculator
Calculate roofing materials and costs for shingles, metal, tile, and flat roof systems.
For Homeowners: Get a quick cost range with just a few measurements. Perfect for budgeting and comparing contractor quotes.
Assumptions & Sources
Assumptions
- Waste factor: 15% included for cuts, overlaps, and ridge caps.
- Pitch factor: 6/12 pitch = 1.25x base area.
- Labor rates: Based on 2025-2026 national averages.
- Tear-off: Assumes one existing layer for removal.
Last updated: February 2026
How to Estimate Roofing Costs
Roofing estimation revolves around one key unit: the "square." One roofing square equals 100 square feet of roof area. A typical 2,000 square foot ranch home has roughly 22-25 squares of roof area (footprint plus pitch factor plus waste). Getting your square count right is the foundation of every roofing estimate.
Material costs per square vary dramatically by type. Asphalt 3-tab shingles run $90-$120 per square for materials in 2025. Architectural (dimensional) shingles cost $120-$180 per square and are now the industry standard due to their 30-year warranty and better wind resistance. Metal standing seam roofing jumps to $350-$700 per square, while clay tile ranges from $600-$1,200 per square. The material choice alone can swing a 25-square roof from $3,000 to $30,000 in materials.
Labor for asphalt shingle installation typically runs $150-$300 per square, depending on roof complexity. A simple gable roof with minimal penetrations is at the low end. Complex hip roofs with multiple valleys, dormers, skylights, and chimneys push labor to the higher end because every intersection requires hand-fitted flashing and careful waterproofing. Steep roofs (8/12 pitch or higher) add 25-50% to labor costs due to safety staging requirements and slower work pace.
Tear-off costs are the expense homeowners most often overlook. Removing one existing layer of asphalt shingles costs $100-$150 per square. Two layers can run $150-$250 per square. Most building codes limit roofing to two layers total, so if you already have two layers, tear-off is mandatory. Disposal adds another $40-$60 per square for dumpster rental and dump fees. On a 25-square roof, tear-off and disposal alone can add $3,500-$5,000 to the project.
Do not overlook ancillary materials that add up fast: underlayment ($0.50-$1.50 per square foot), ice and water shield at eaves and valleys ($1.50/sq ft), drip edge ($1-$2 per linear foot), ridge vent ($10-$15 per linear foot), pipe boots ($15-$30 each), and step flashing at walls ($5-$8 per linear foot). These ancillary items typically add 15-25% on top of the shingle cost.
Typical Roofing Cost Breakdown
Costs shown are for a typical residential asphalt shingle re-roof with one-layer tear-off.
| Cost Category | % of Total | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shingles & Materials | 25-35% | $90-$180/square | Shingles, starter strip, ridge caps, hip/ridge shingles |
| Underlayment & Barriers | 8-12% | $0.50-$1.50/sq ft | Synthetic felt, ice & water shield at eaves/valleys |
| Flashing & Ventilation | 5-8% | $500-$2,000 flat | Drip edge, step flashing, ridge vent, pipe boots |
| Installation Labor | 30-40% | $150-$300/square | Varies by pitch, complexity, and access difficulty |
| Tear-Off & Disposal | 10-15% | $100-$175/square | Removal of existing shingles plus dumpster/dump fees |
| Overhead & Profit | 10-20% | Varies | Contractor markup, insurance, warranty, permits |
Regional Pricing Factors for Roofing
Roofing costs vary by 40-60% across regions due to climate, labor markets, and local code requirements. In the Southeast, where mild weather allows year-round roofing and labor is more affordable, a full re-roof often costs $250-$400 per square installed. In the Northeast and Pacific Northwest, the same job runs $400-$600 per square due to shorter working seasons, higher labor rates, and stricter ice-dam prevention requirements.
Climate-driven code requirements have a major impact. Northern states require ice and water shield extending 24 inches past the interior wall line (IRC requirement), which adds $500-$1,500 to a typical roof. Hurricane-prone regions (Florida, Gulf Coast) require enhanced nailing patterns, hurricane clips, and sometimes peel-and-stick underlayment over the entire deck, adding $1,000-$3,000. Hail-prone areas (Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado) see more frequent claims and higher insurance-driven demand, which keeps contractor prices elevated.
Check roofing costs for your area using our ZIP code pricing or browse by state:
Pro Tips from a Construction PM
Inspect the Deck, Not Just the Shingles
A good roofing bid should include an allowance for decking repair. Once old shingles come off, you will often find soft spots, delaminated OSB, or rotted plywood - especially around valleys, eaves, and penetrations. Budget $3-$5 per square foot for sheathing replacement and assume 5-10% of the deck will need it. Getting a per-sheet price for replacements in the contract avoids surprise change orders.
Verify the Manufacturer Warranty Requirements
Most shingle manufacturer warranties (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed) require specific installation methods for full coverage. GAF's Golden Pledge warranty, for example, requires a GAF-certified contractor and specific underlayment and ventilation products. Using off-brand accessories to save $200 on materials can void a $15,000 warranty. Ask your contractor which warranty tier they are installing to.
Ventilation Is Not Optional
Improper attic ventilation is the leading cause of premature shingle failure and ice dams. The rule is 1 square foot of net free ventilation area per 150 square feet of attic floor (or 1:300 with a vapor barrier). Split the ventilation 50/50 between intake (soffit vents) and exhaust (ridge vent). Many re-roofs improve ventilation but under-size it. This is one area where upgrading during a re-roof is cost-effective and prevents callbacks.
Get Three Written Quotes with Identical Scope
Roofing bids are difficult to compare because scope varies. One contractor might include ice and water shield on the entire deck while another only covers eaves. Create a scope checklist: material brand and line, underlayment type, ice barrier extent, ventilation changes, flashing replacement, drip edge replacement, and cleanup method. Comparing quotes on identical scope is the only way to evaluate price fairly.
Timing Your Roof Replacement Matters
Late fall and winter are the off-season for roofing in most markets, and contractors offer 10-20% discounts to keep crews working. Spring is peak insurance claim season (post-winter damage), and summer is peak voluntary replacement season - both periods mean higher prices and longer wait times. If your roof can wait, scheduling for November through February often saves $1,000-$3,000 on a typical project.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Construction Cost Estimation FAQs
For a 2,000 square foot single-story home with a standard 6/12 pitch, the roof area is approximately 2,500 square feet (25 squares) after accounting for pitch and overhangs. With architectural asphalt shingles, one-layer tear-off, and standard accessories, expect to pay $8,000-$15,000 in most markets. Metal roofing for the same home runs $18,000-$35,000. High-cost metro areas (NYC, SF, Boston) add 30-50% to these numbers. The primary variables are material choice, roof complexity, and regional labor rates.
Asphalt 3-tab shingles last 15-20 years in moderate climates but as little as 12-15 years in extreme heat (Arizona, South Texas). Architectural shingles carry 25-30 year warranties and typically deliver 20-25 years of real-world performance. Metal standing seam roofs last 40-70 years with minimal maintenance. Clay and concrete tile roofs can last 50-100+ years, though the underlayment beneath them needs replacement every 20-30 years. Slate is the longevity champion at 75-150+ years but at 3-5x the cost of asphalt.
You can overlay new shingles on one existing layer in most jurisdictions, saving $1,500-$3,000 in tear-off costs. However, there are significant downsides: you cannot inspect the deck for rot or damage, the added weight stresses the structure (asphalt shingles weigh 2-3 lbs per square foot per layer), and the new shingles will not lay as flat, reducing their lifespan by 20-30%. Most roofing professionals recommend tear-off for these reasons, and manufacturer warranties are often reduced on overlay installations.
Architectural asphalt shingles offer the best value for most homeowners. At $350-$550 per square installed, they provide a 25-30 year lifespan, good wind resistance (110-130 mph rated), and wide color selection. If you plan to stay in the home 20+ years, metal standing seam at $700-$1,200 per square has a lower lifecycle cost because it lasts 50+ years with virtually no maintenance. For the budget-conscious, 3-tab shingles at $250-$400 per square work fine on low-visibility roofs or rental properties.
A new roof typically recoups 60-70% of its cost in increased home value according to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value report. More importantly, a visibly damaged or aging roof is one of the top reasons buyers walk away or demand large price reductions. A $12,000 roof replacement can prevent a $20,000+ price reduction during negotiations. If selling within 2-3 years, a new roof is one of the highest-ROI exterior improvements you can make.
Roofing Calculator by State
Get roofing cost estimates with state-specific regional pricing: