How Much Does a New Roof Cost?
Part of Decks, Fences & Roofing
Quick answer
A new asphalt-shingle roof runs roughly $5,500–$16,000 installed for a typical house (US national average, June 2026), or about $450–$750 per roofing square (100 ft²). Metal, tile and slate cost two to five times more. Roof size, pitch, material and tear-off drive the price.
Roofers price by the "square" — 100 square feet of roof surface. A new roof's cost is the price per square (material plus labor) times the number of squares, plus tear-off of the old roof and any deck repairs.
Installed cost per square by material
| Roofing material | Installed cost per square (100 ft²) |
|---|---|
| 3-tab asphalt shingles | $350–$500 |
| Architectural asphalt shingles | $450–$750 |
| Wood shakes | $700–$1,200 |
| Metal (standing seam) | $900–$1,600 |
| Clay / concrete tile | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Slate | $1,500–$3,000 |
Typical total by roof size (architectural asphalt)
| Roof area | Roofing squares | Estimated installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1,200 ft² | 12 squares | $5,400–$9,000 |
| 1,700 ft² | 17 squares | $7,650–$12,750 |
| 2,200 ft² | 22 squares | $9,900–$16,500 |
| 3,000 ft² | 30 squares | $13,500–$22,500 |
Roof area is the sloped surface, not the floor plan — a steeper pitch adds surface and cost. Use the roof's footprint and pitch in the roofing calculator to get the squares, then multiply by a per-square figure above.
What else moves the price
- Tear-off: removing one old layer adds roughly $100–$150 per square.
- Pitch and height: steep or multi-story roofs need staging and cost more in labor.
- Complexity: hips, valleys, dormers, skylights and chimneys mean more flashing and waste.
- Deck repair: rotten sheathing found during tear-off is an add-on, often $70–$100 per sheet.
Source: US national average installed-cost references; material prices track the Producer Price Index for asphalt roofing (FRED, search "asphalt roofing shingles PPI"). Last verified: June 2026.
FAQs
How much does it cost to replace a roof?
For a typical home with asphalt shingles, about $5,500–$16,000 installed including tear-off, or roughly $450–$750 per roofing square. Larger, steeper or more complex roofs and premium materials cost more.
Why is a new roof so expensive?
Most of the cost is labor — tearing off the old roof, hauling debris, and installing on a sloped, elevated surface — plus underlayment, flashing, drip edge and the shingles themselves. Steep and cut-up roofs take more time and waste more material.
Is it cheaper to overlay or tear off?
Overlaying (a second layer over the old shingles) saves the tear-off cost but is allowed only once, hides deck problems, and shortens the new roof's life. A full tear-off costs more upfront but is the better long-term value.