Phoenix, Arizona: 602-870-8322
Houston, Texas: 713-434-7663
Phoenix, Arizona: 602-870-8322
Houston, Texas: 713-434-7663
February 7, 2019
Needless to say, new roof installation can be very expensive. On average, homeowners spend an average of $7,567 for it. However, actual cost of roof installations range from $5,218 to $10,066, sometimes even higher.
Yes, it is a pretty hefty amount of money. However, roof carry out an essential function in shelters and homes. While expenses for this project might seem massive, understand that investing on it serves a purpose.
Roof installation total costing highly depend on three big factors; these are size, material, and labor. Each of these also have underlying factors that can affect the total budget, but these are the main divisions to consider when planning a roof installation or re-roofing.
For size, it is pretty obvious that size is the biggest factor in this project. It goes hand in hand with material and labor cost. For starters, both factors are charged per 100 square foot of roof; this means that the bigger the area, the higher the cost for materials and labor as well.
In terms of materials, it is believed to be the most flexible of the three. This is because of the arsenal of roof material options in the market you can choose from. Consequently, choosing more affordable materials like asphalt shingles can definitely decrease the total cost as well.
Labor, on the other hand, is where most of the budget will be focused on. Labor cost takes up to 60% of the entire expenditure. Luckily, this can considerably be lowered should you choose to do some of the tasks on your own.
When getting a quotation, it is important to note that you will be getting an estimate based on a per square basis; to calculate, 100 square feet is equivalent to one (1) roofing square. You can also refer to the conversion table below
| Square Feet | Roofing Square |
|---|---|
| 500 | 5 |
| 1 000 | 10 |
| 1 500 | 15 |
| 2 000 | 20 |
| 2 500 | 25 |
| 3 000 | 30 |
| 3 500 | 35 |
| 4 000 | 40 |
| 4 500 | 45 |
| 5 000 | 50 |
| 5 500 | 55 |
| 6 000 | 60 |
| 6 500 | 65 |
| 7 000 | 70 |
| 7 500 | 75 |
| 8 000 | 80 |
| 8 500 | 85 |
| 9 000 | 90 |
| 9 500 | 95 |
| 10 000 | 100 |
Materials alone can cost $100 to $1,000 per square, depending on what you choose. Factors that can affect the total cost of materials are type, quality, and features.
For a more detailed estimation, the United States Census provided a computation of the average cost of different types of materials on a 2,200 square feet property, also equivalent to 17 roofing squares. See the data below:
| 3-tab Asphalt Shingles | $2,500 |
| Galvanized Steel | $3,000 |
| High-end material: Slate | $20,000 |
| Copper | $25,000+ |
For projects like roofing installations, 60% of the total charge will be coming from the labor cost; yes, it is quite high, but understand that roof installations require extensive labor. Not to mention, this kind of project have high risks as well.
In general, labor fee for roof removal alone can cost around $1,000 to $1,500. Some contractors choose to charge fee depending on the labor hours; this can run on $40 to $80 per hour. In addition to that, most contractors and professionals charge a rate of $150 to $300 per square for installations. However, these rates are not yet final for there is still a chance they can increase based on factors like location, complexity, and workload.
This table shows an estimation of labor cost based on roofing square:
| Square Foot | Roofing Square | Average Labor Cost |
| 1 000 | 10 | $4,000 – $5,500 |
| 1 200 | 12 | $4,500 – $6,500 |
| 1 400 | 14 | $5,000 – $7,500 |
| 1 600 | 16 | $6,000 – $8,500 |
| 1 800 | 18 | $6,700 – $9,500 |
| 2 000 | 20 | $7,400 – $10,500 |
| 2 200 | 22 | $7,000 – $11,000 |
| 2 400 | 24 | $8,500 – $12,000 |
| 2 600 | 26 | $9,500 – $13,500 |
| 2 800 | 28 | $10,200 – $15,000 |
| 3 000 | 30 | $11,200 – $16,000 |
Saving Tip: For quotations, do not settle on the first quotation that you can get. It will be wise to ask for a second opinion. As much as possible, get quotations from four (4) different contractors so you can assess and choose which one can offer the best deal.
Pro Tip: Before letting a contractor or professional take a look at the project, you can opt to call or hire a roof inspector first. In doing so, you will be able to understand the status of your roof better. You will also have a chance to be oriented on what kind of materials you can use and what kind of workload it will need. Sometimes, roof inspectors even throw in an estimate total cost!
These tips do not just save you money, but also help you avoid scammers, extortionists, and fraudulent contractors.