Tearing off and replacing your roof is not usually one of the most exciting ways to spend your money, and many of us would rather spend our money on cars, maybe even on boats.
The problem is, however, unlike the cost of a car or boat, the cost of a new roof does not come with such a straightforward price, and an even bigger problem is that the roofing industry tends to want to avoid all questions regarding how much it costs to replace a shingle roof.
Luckily, Water Damage and Roofing of Cedar Park is here to answer all of your tough questions that other roofing contractors avoid AT ALL COSTS. Our team is more than happy to give you the roof replacement cost answers you have been searching for.
To start, we will begin by telling you the average cost to shingle your roof. Next, we will give you the cost estimate per square foot to replace your roof depending on the roofing material you choose and all the factors that influence the cost of roof replacement. At the very end, we will provide guidance on how you can reduce roof replacement costs and why you should work with us for your upcoming roofing project.
What Is the Average Cost to Shingle a Roof?
Shingles are considered a necessary coverage for your roof, in addition to being a strong design statement on the exterior. On average, most homeowners in Round Rock, Cedar Park, and the greater Austin Texas area, pay anywhere between $8,000 to $9,000 to have shingles installed. Low costs are considered to be somewhere in the $5,000s, and high costs go all the way into the $12,000s and potentially higher.
The aforementioned costs are for asphalt shingles in particular, and it is one of the most economical shingles you can invest in. Metal, clay, wood, and composite shingles add a unique look to your home but can end up costing several times more per square foot than an asphalt shingle roof.
Overall, the roof installation cost for shingles is typically expressed in roofing squares, where one square is 100 square feet of shingles. Usually, a bundle of roofing shingles will average 33.3 square feet, meaning that one roofing square compromises three bundles.
Asphalt shingles cost around $1 to $2 per square foot. However, to account for waste, 10 to 15% should be added to that cost estimate. Fasteners, along with synthetic or felt underlayment, are also another cost to consider.
What Are Shingle Roofs?
Here is the most straightforward answer for those wondering what a shingle roof is: it is a roofing installation that is covered with shingles. Shingles can be described as flat, rectangular asphalt, composite, or other roofing material pieces. They are applied upwards, starting from the base of the roof, and often overlap in order to provide full coverage.
However, there is a lot more to a shingle roof than this basic definition.
Shingle Roof Cost Per Material
#1 Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are one of the most normally used roofing materials due to the fact that they are lightweight, economical, easy to install, and come in a wide range of colors, properties, and thicknesses.
Overall, asphalt shingles, or three-tab shingles, are described as large shingles that have three tabs, but upon installation of an asphalt shingle roof, they reveal individual shapes. The cost of these existing shingles is around $90 per square. Therefore, an asphalt shingle roof can cost anywhere between $8,700 to $22,000.
#2 Composite Shingles
Composite shingles compromise a variety of materials, such as plastics and rubber, which help to create the illusion of a wood or slate roof. While some are comparably priced to asphalt shingles, you can expect to pay around $400 per square for quality composite shingles.
https://t.co/nFKDXRNzlC— Water Damage and Roofing of Cedar park (@wtrdamandroofCP) October 7, 2022
#3 Wood Shingles
Wood shingles that are milled from softwoods like cedar, spruce, or pine, tend to give a home a more natural look. In terms of pricing, wood shingles are generally more expensive than asphalt shingles but are less expensive than clay shingles. The cost of wood shingles is estimated to be around $350 to $500 per square. Wood shingles that cost up to $500 per square come in two forms – true wood shingles or wood shakes.
Thus, a wood shake roof can cost anywhere between $20,000 to $40,000. High-end synthetic wood shake roofs cost over $20,000, as they are fire-resistant and have lower maintenance than wood shingles.
#4 Clay Shingles
Clay shingles have popularity in areas that tend to be sunnier and warmer. This is because they promote airflow and stand up well to heat. When looking at the cost of clay shingles, one will find that the price will be anywhere between $300 to $1,000 per square.
The high cost of clay shingles per square means that this type of roofing material is better for long-term installations. Clay roofing can stay as long as 100 years, meaning that homeowners may find this higher cost per square to be amortized over the long run.
#5 Metal Shingles
Metal shingles are very durable and have life spans of up to 75 years. They are also fireproof and are much cooler than other roofs due to the fact that they reflect light. You can expect to pay $275 to $400 per square for a metal-shingle roof. A premium metal shingle roof, however, can cost as much as $1,200 per square, including installation, as they mimic the look of wood.
What Factors Influence the Cost of Roof Replacement?
While roof replacement may seem like a pretty straightforward concept, there are many factors that affect the roof replacement cost, for example:
- Height and pitch
- Products and supplies
- Structure and condition of your roof
- Additional insulation or protection layers
- Whether you are reroofing with the same roofing material or with different roofing materials
Other than that, a few other factors that will affect the cost of your new roof will include the roof’s pitch, existing roof removal, as well as ease of access. Below is a breakdown of how these extra costs may affect your roof replacement budget:
Labor
Roofing is one of the most labor-intensive professions on demand, so you can anticipate an estimate of $2 per square foot of your roof replacement cost to come from labor. Depending on other factors, like the removal of existing roofing materials or the pitch of your roof, labor costs tend to rise and fall.
On average, around 60% of a roof replacement project will be taken up by labor, so if your total cost to replace your roof comes to $10,000, $6,000 is for labor alone.
Types of Roof Shingles and Other Materials
The type of roof shingle you install will significantly impact your new roof cost, as there is a wide range of price points and options available for your new roof. As already mentioned previously, basic asphalt shingles material can cost between $2,000 to $4,000, whereas premium options like a synthetic slate roof can cost $12,000 to $30,000 on average.
Roof Pitch or Slope
In the case where your roof is so steep that it requires special equipment in order to work on it safely, you can expect to spend anywhere between $1,000 to $3,000 in additional labor roofing costs. Anything above a 6:12 roof pitch ratio is considered to be more complicated and hazardous for roofing contractors to work on. Most roof pitches will fall between a 3:12 to a 6:12 ratio.
Removing Existing Roof
Most homeowners will already have an existing roof and can expect to dedicate, on average, around $1,250 to tear it down. Heavier materials and more layers in the underlayment usually point toward a higher roofing labor cost.
Underlying Structural Repairs
If you have underlying structural issues beneath your old roof, for example, holes, leaks, or pest problems, then this could add extra to the total cost of your roof replacement bill. The cost of roof repairs will differ depending on the issue at hand; however, pest extermination prices can go from around $200 to $600.
Roof Warranty
A contractor roofing warranty will typically cost around $500 to $2,000, depending on the scope of the job. Manufacturer warranties, on the other hand, usually vary from as little as $500 to $5,000.
Most homeowners will also likely receive the option of an extended warranty to cover the materials at an additional cost. Aftermarket warranties on your metal roof or slate roof can increase the value of your home, especially if you intend to sell it in the future.
If you plan on buying an extended warranty, you should find out from the roofing company that you hired if it is transferable to a new homeowner and what the timeframe is in order to make the transfer.
Chimneys, Skylights, and Other Features
Features such as skylights and chimneys are also known as penetrations, and they will cost extra when building your new roof. To illustrate, a fixed skylight normally goes for around $150 per unit, and an additional $500 is charged for labor costs.
Permits
A building permit for your new roof can cost anywhere between $100 to $1,000, depending on the city you are located in. Some HOAs will require pre-approval of shingle style or color, so in order to avoid costly replacements, be sure to have the necessary approvals.
Sometimes, building permits can take weeks to approve, so by getting them ahead of time, you can hasten up the development of your new roof quite a bit.
Roofing Inspections
There are certain municipalities that will require a building inspector to perform additional roofing inspections throughout your roof replacement process, and of course, this will add to the total cost of your new roof. Roofing inspections help to ensure that all elements of your new roof remain up to code.
What Is the Average Fee to Tear Off and Replace Your Shingle Roof?
It is almost impossible to give you the exact price to tear off and replace your shingle roof, and this is because of the many factors that go into roofing costs. However, for a standard middle-class home, the average cost to tear off and replace your old roof can range from $12,000 to $15,000.
This average cost is based on a home that has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a little roof complexity, a walkable roof pitch, and architectural asphalt shingles. Therefore, the cost to tear off and replace your old roof can fit anywhere into the price range above, depending on the type of home you live in.
You will not know the exact roof cost of your replacement until a local roofing contractor has come out to inspect your roof.
How to Reduce Roof Replacement Costs
No homeowner wants to spend more on the upkeep of the home than is necessary, and roof replacement is no exception to this. Luckily, there are many ways to keep a roof cost down when it comes to roof replacement.
#1 Know Your Roof Replacement Materials
The primary rule of thumb is that plastic asphalt shingles are the cheapest, metal is somewhere in the middle, and real stone shingles are the most expensive. In order to understand the true value of money when choosing your replacement roof material, you will need to know its longevity, as well as the cost per square foot.
#2 Aim for Offseason Discounts
You can also save funds by replacing your roof during off-season months, and this is generally because the rules of supply and demand dictate higher prices per square foot for roofing work during peak season. If you can give roofing contractors a job during their low season, they may cut you a deal on your roofing cost.
#3 Insurance Claim
While most homeowners’ insurance procedures will not cover the cost to replace a roof that has slowly deteriorated due to wear and tear or negligence, they may cover roof replacement costs if the damage resulted from a sudden accidental event or act of nature. If damage has occurred to your roof, notify your insurance company promptly, and you may be able to save money.
#4 Get Multiple Quotes
You will never know if you are saving money on roof replacement costs if you do not shop around. In that case, you should be getting quotes from several roofing contractors. Before hiring a roofer, you should also always check their local references.
Remember, just because you see a low roofing cost does not mean you are saving money; be wary of extremely low bids, as it could mean subpar work. In addition, make sure that the roofer you hire offers a warranty on installation and materials.
#5 Research Roofers
To find a good roofer, it is always a good idea to ask your neighbors for advice because you will most likely share the same style of roof. You should also be finding out whether previous customers of a roofing contractor praise all aspects of their work, such as the cost and quality of their roof replacements, the time they took to complete the job, and what they were like to deal with.
Choosing a roofer that is also closer to you should also help when saving money on roofing costs, as they won’t have to travel very far.
DIY Roof Replacement VS Hiring a Roofing Contractor
If you have shingled a roof before, then you will know that it is not one of those things that an everyday DIY homeowner is going to enjoy doing. Due to the fact that a new roof is a costly home repair, it is not really worth a DIY homeowner’s time, when compared to just hiring a professional. Roof replacement requires just too many tools and skills to be able to get the job done properly in an acceptable time frame.
There are also many downsides to completing your roof replacement as a DIY project:
- You can fall from your roof
- Negatively impact the resale worth of your home, and
- Introduce new issues that lead to leaks and increased utility costs
Choosing a Trustworthy Roofer
Choosing a trustworthy roofer that won’t exaggerate the work you need done or take longer than necessary is what will help keep prices for your roof replacement realistic. Water Damage and Roofing of Cedar Park has been providing high-quality roofing services for as long as we can remember to homeowners in Round Rock, Cedar Park, and the wider Austin, Texas, area.
If you are local to these areas, do not hesitate to contact us for all of your roof replacement needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should You DIY or Hire Skilled Experts to Replace Existing Shingles?
Unless you like carrying 40-pound bundles of shingles up a ladder, have a lot of friends that are willing to help you and enjoy doing back-breaking work on a time-crunched schedule, you should be leaving your whole-house roofing to a professional every single time.
Do the Price of Roof Shingles Vary by Brand?
There are many brands of roofing shingles that are available in today’s market, and the brand chosen will determine the quality of roofing shingles you get, and because quality matters, the price will differ depending on what shingle brand you use.
How Do You Calculate How Many Shingles to Purchase?
By simply multiplying the number of roofing squares by three, you can easily figure out how many shingles bundles your roof will require. If your roof area was equivalent to 30 roofing squares, you will need 90 bundles of shingles.
When Do I Need to Replace My Roof?
It is very hard to determine exactly when your roof might be in need of replacement, as it is not something you check every day. Warning signs relating to water damage, mold and moss growth, light peeping through, loose roof tiles, sagging, debris in gutters, and more, are all common indications that your roof may need to be replaced.
How Do You Maintain a Roof?
Keeping your gutters clean, trimming back your trees and landscaping, removing snow from your roof, checking for missing or cracked shingles, and removing moss and mold are just some of the ways in which you can maintain your roof and keep it in peak condition all year round.
How Long Does a Shingle Roof Last?
In the United States, asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material, and they are anticipated to last anywhere between 15 and 25 years.
Are Shingle Roofs Cheaper Than Metal Roofs?
Metal roofs are typically more costly to install than shingle roofs. In the long term, however, a metal roof proves to be much more cost-efficient when you consider the maintenance and replacement costs that come naturally with shingles. You should always weigh up all of your considerations before making your final decision.