Average Cost of a New Roof: What to Expect

The average cost of a new roof is $8,700-$22,000 in Washington depending on the size of your roof and the materials you select. To help you calculate your roof cost, you can use $4.35-$11 per square foot.

Learn more about the cost factors for a new roof so you can learn what to expect and smart ways to prepare for your roofing project.

New Roof Cost Factors

Many factors contribute to the cost of a roof. Let’s break down those expenses to better help you prepare for your roofing project.

1. Materials

While the labor to install a roof is certainly a factor, material costs are a crucial element in calculating your roof price. Here’s a look at how the materials you select will impact the cost of your new roof.

Asphalt shingles: this is the most cost-effective material to use for your roof but it also has the shortest life at around 20-30 years. You can expect to pay $3.50-$5.50 per square foot for materials alone. While asphalt shingles don’t provide the longest life, they are known for their durability so long as you pay attention to their lifetime.
Metal: metal roofs can provide protection for your home up to 50 years. They are known for being durable and providing outstanding energy efficiency. They are also more sustainable than asphalt shingles because they come from recycled materials and can be entirely recycled. Metal roof materials cost $7-$12 per square foot.
Tile: when well maintained, these roofs can last more than 50 years. They offer a unique aesthetic and can make your roof a neat design element of your home. These roofs are the most expensive though at $6-$15 per square foot for materials.

2. Labor

Another factor in the cost of replacing your roof is the labor. A team of roofers will be on your roof for a day working in inherently dangerous conditions. Two main factors contribute to the cost of labor for your roof.

Roofer experience: the more experienced your roofing team, the more you’ll pay in labor. More experienced contractors can charge more because they can navigate any challenge they face and have extensive problem-solving expertise based on the many roofs they have installed throughout their careers.
Roof complexity: some roofs have one peak to roof on either side of. Others have multiple peaks and elements to go around. The more complex your roof, the steeper the pitch, the more it will cost.

3. Roof Size

Larger roofs require more labor and materials, which means they’ll cost more to replace. Roofing estimates are based on the square footage of your roof, often calculated using a drone or digital measuring device.

4. Permits and Inspections

You might not see these itemized in a quote for your roof, but the contractor will be factoring in the cost of permits and inspection. Washington permits can cost $100-$1,000 depending on your county or city and the size of your project.

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5. Disposal

Disposing of old roofing materials can be costly. There are requirements for how contractors dispose of roofing materials. This can add to the total cost of your project.

6. Roof Style

Your roof’s style is about more than just how it looks from the curb. Some styles are more complex to work with, which means the materials will cost more and it might take the team more time to install your roof, which means greater labor costs.

A gable roof generally requires less material and labor than a gambrel roof. Other roofing style cost factors include:

Pitch
Flat/not flat
Hipped

7. Location

Your roofing cost will be heavily impacted by where your home is located. The more rural of an area you live in, the less you might pay for your roof to a certain extent. But the farther you are from the roofer’s headquarters, the contractor might factor in the time and expense of transportation into your quote. Urban areas tend to cost more because the contractor has to cover the higher expenses associated with having its headquarters in that area.

8. Season

The season you replace your roof during can also be a cost factor. Spring and summer are the best times to install a roof. In fall and winter, it can be more complex for your contractor to schedule the project and might require starts and stops due to weather, which can make the project costlier.

9. Emergency/Preventative

When your roof is an emergency replacement due to integrity problems with your current roof, your roof will cost more. That’s because the contractor has to expedite the materials and perhaps pay overtime for labor because they hadn’t factored in your project in its weekly schedule since they didn’t know about your project until the last minute.

That’s why it is far better to complete preventative roof replacements when your roof is reaching the end of its life. Likewise, caring for your roof to get the longest life out of it is wise. Make sure your gutters are working well with regular debris removal to prevent pooling water. Remove debris from the roof quickly to prevent it from damaging your roofing materials.

10. Insurance or Warranty Coverage

It never hurts to have an insurance adjuster out to review your roof when you think it’s time for replacement. That way you see if they’ll cover part of the replacement or even all of it.

For newer roofs, you should check in with your contractor who installed it about the warranty on installation and materials. That way if you can get some of the costs offset with a warranty, you pay less for your new roof.

Options for Making Your Roof More Affordable

As you start to get quotes for your new roof, you might start looking for ways to make your roof more affordable. Here are some tips that can ease the financial burden of getting a new roof.

Financing: many contractors partner with financial companies in your area. They might offer interest-free financing for a few months to help you make payments on your project to make it more affordable.
Government grants: the government offers grants and subsidies for home upgrades in some instances. Review the qualification requirements to see if you might be able to offset some expenses using this method.
Maintain your current roof: consider the cost of the roof throughout the life of the roof. That way you extend its life as long as possible. Start with the best materials for longevity to get the most from your new roof investment.
Meet with multiple contractors: you should not sign with the first contractor you meet. Request multiple quotes from various contractors. This will help ensure you get the best rates and gives you the opportunity to talk about materials with various contractors to learn the best options for you. You’ll have insights from various professionals to choose from.

2FL Windows, Siding and Roofing is an experienced roofing contractor in the greater Seattle area. Schedule your free estimate now to learn more about roof replacement costs and ways to manage your budget with roof longevity.

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