Are you weighing the options of repairing your old roof with getting a whole new one? We will break down the cost of getting a new roof. If your roof has suffered damage it is a good idea to get a few different quotes from roofing companies to get an idea of how much a repair might cost you first. Then, depending what information you receive from that, it may be the right time to look into getting a new roof.
New Roof Cost Can Be Expensive
If you choose to get a new roof it is one of the largest investments you will make. Not only will you have the added security of a safe and sound new roof, you will lower your energy costs, and be able to resell your home at a much greater value.
New roofs can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $50,000. It all depends on the square footage of your home, roofing materials used, if you do it yourself, or chose a roofer, and where you are located. Obviously the more square footage your home has the higher the cost will be to replace your roof.
Square Footage A Factor In New Roof Cost
It will cost less to replace a 1,500 square foot house compared to a 3,500 square foot house. The cost to replace a roof per square foot ranges between $60 and $900 per square foot. This pricing reflects materials and labor. The cost is less if you do it yourself.
What Material Will Be Used For The New Roof?
You also need to make sure to factor in any extra material that may be needed. So it is safe to add in a buffer of an additional 15% of the homes total square footage in your calculations. Next you have to factor in the materials you want to use to replace your roof with.
The Top 5 New Roofs & Their Cost In Houston
The five most desired materials for new roofs in the Houston right now are tile, slate, asphalt, wood shake, and metal.
Tile Roof Cost
Tile roofs come in either clay or concrete tiles. They range between $250 and $450 per square foot. A lot of the cost comes from the fact that they can be very heavy and require roofers to add extra framing to support them. The bonus is that they are easy to repair or replace and are extremely resistant to fire. They are not the cheapest roofing option but they are not the most expensive either.
Slate Roof Cost
Slate is one of the most expensive roofing options on the market, at around $600 per square foot, but it has become very popular with homeowners recently. As with tile, slate is very heavy and requires extra framing to be put in, making it expensive. The other reason slate is so much more expensive is because it is extremely durable. Slate roofs have been known to last over 100 years and the average lifespan put on them is anywhere between 50-100 years. You will be lucky to get 20 years out of an asphalt roof. Slate is durable and can be recycled, making it very economically friendly. Not to mention the look of a slate roof can be absolutely breathtaking.
Asphalt Roof Cost
Asphalt shingles are the most widely used roofing material in the United States, and has been for over 100 years. They are also the cheapest roofing option coming between $60 and $130 per square foot. They are easy to put in place, lightweight, and have an enormous amount of colors to choose from. Though the dilemma to asphalt shingles is that they do not last very long. Most roofers give them a lifespan between 20 and 25 years.
Wood Shake Roof Cost
Wood shake shingles are another option for homeowners to think about when looking for options to replace their roof. They are a little pricier then asphalt, but less expensive then tile and slate. Wood shake costs between $90 and $160 per square foot. Just as the name suggests this roofing material is made up of wood and is not fire resistant. A coating can be applied but it is still not 100% reliable. Some parts of the country will not allow wood shakes on roofs due to the fire hazard they can pose. They are very attractive to look at and this is why homeowners will still choose to pick wood shingles over other roofing materials. Their life span is similar to asphalt but a little longer to be between 25 and 30 years.
Metal Roof Cost
Metal is the last roofing material that most homeowners are choosing in the United States today. It has quickly become the fastest growing roofing material chosen by homeowners choosing to replace their roofs. Metal ranges between $90 and $900 per square foot. It depends on the type of metal you choose. Copper is the most expensive option coming in around the $900 per square foot mark.
There are much more reasonable metal options though that are just as durable as copper. Since metal is reflective it bounces off the heat of the sun and keeps the home cooler. They are extremely energy efficient and durable. Metal roofs are also great in harsh weather conditions like rain and heavy winds. They are fire resistant as well, which has made them the number one choice with many homeowners in areas where wildfires are rampant. The only downside to a metal roof is that it can get dented and dinged up if there is a heavy hail storm.
Labor Calculated In New Roof Cost
After deciding on the roofing material you want to use, you must decide if you want to tackle this project on your own of hire a professional. In most roofing cost breakdowns the materials make up about 40% of the total cost, while the other 60% is the labor involved in breaking down your old roof and putting on the new one.
A Roofing Contractor Can Save You From Costly Errors
Replacing the roof yourself may save you over half the cost of a new roof but there are some things to think about before deciding.
First, if you do not install your roof properly the first time it will cost you much more in the long run. Not only might you have to pay a professional roofer anyway, you may incur damages to your home. If a roof is not installed properly water, bugs, or critters can cause severe damage to your roof and home.
Secondly, a professional roofer will offer you a warranty for an extended period of time in case something does happen to the roof. If you do it yourself no such warranty exists and it will be you having to get back up there and take care of any issues. There are also safety issues. Professional roofers are used to being up there and have safety measures in place. You can easily loose your balance or accidentally impale yourself with a nail.
Lastly, the cost of a new roof depends on the part of the country you live in. A new roof in Ohio will cost half as much for the same home in California for example. Roofing supplies cost more in states like California and New York as well as permits. Another cost that is higher in certain states is environmental taxes. All of these things should be accounted for when thinking about purchasing a new roof.
