If you’re wondering, “How much will my roof replacement cost?” the answer is, as you probably suspected… “it depends.” There are various factors involved in determining the final cost of a new roof. These factors play a role in how much material costs, how much time it takes, how much work it takes, and more.
Understanding how these factors influence the final price can help you with the decision-making and financial planning processes.
Your Roof’s Accessibility
The first factor that can increase your labor cost is a difficult-to-access roof. During installation, your roofing contractor needs an easy access point to get onto the roof, get the torn-off materials into the dump truck, and transport new material up to the roof for installation.
The distance between your home and the next-door neighbors, the amount of landscaping you have around your house, the presence of a fence, or how far away the dump truck and new materials are from the roof’s access point all go into accessibility.
When extra time or equipment is required because of accessibility issues, roof replacement will cost more than it would on a home with an easy-to-access roof.
The Size of Your Roof
Not surprisingly, the square footage of your roof is the most significant factor driving the replacement cost. Square footage affects the time needed to complete the job, the number of workers, and the amount of materials used. The larger the roof, the more it will cost to replace it.
Remember that the square footage of your roof is not the same as the square footage of your home. Your home’s square footage is a sum of all living areas but usually doesn’t account for basements, garage space, and interior walls. A ranch-style house, for example, will have more roof square footage than a two-story home.
Conversely, the square footage of the roof covers all living spaces along with overhangs, front entryways, garages, and walkways.
The Complexity of the Roof
Roof complexity is determined by the number of hips, valleys, facets, skylights, and your roof’s pitch.
If the pitch or slope of the roof is unusually steep, for example, it will generally add cost to your project for several reasons. The most important is safety. When working on a steep slope, the crew will need special equipment to complete the job efficiently without taking unnecessary risks. The crew must also move slower, adding to the labor cost. The pitch will also determine the type and quality of underlayment required for the roof replacement project.
A roof with many facets at multiple angles, valleys, and hips will need more time, attention, and material than a simple ranch-style roof with about four facets. Peaks, valleys, and other adjoining areas are prone to leaks. Ensuring these areas are done correctly is well worth the cost and effort but will add a little to the former.
Your Roof System’s Materials
The type of roofing materials you choose, or may even be required to have installed by your local building codes or HOA rules, will also impact the replacement cost. There are many residential roofing materials to choose from, including metal, asphalt shingles, tiles, wood, and slate. And these come in different styles, shapes, and colors.
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material for residential properties because they’re affordable and easy to install. However, architectural shingles will cost more than traditional three-tab shingles.
Metal or tile generally costs more per square foot than shingles because of their enhanced performance, durability, and longevity. And if you’re looking for something unique like slate or wood, you’ll end up paying a little more for the installation.
Including the roof covering, other components that will be factored into the cost of your new roof include:
- Ventilation system
- Underlayment
- Ridge capping
- Ice and water shield
- Flashing
- Drip edge
- Pipe boots
When it comes to the components that make up a roof system, it’s crucial to invest in quality.
The Condition of the Roof Sheathing
Roof sheathing, or roof decking, comprises the wooden boards onto which all the other roofing components are installed. If the decking needs to be replaced because of water damage, this may also affect the replacement cost.
Water damage may only be evident once the contractor has removed the shingles and examined the wooden boards. If your roofer knows your roof sheathing needs to be replaced at the start, they will include this in the estimate. But if they find your sheathing is damaged after the old roof has been torn off, they will add that cost to the final invoice. The cost effect will be determined by the amount of roof decking that needs to be replaced.
Disposal Fees
The cost of getting rid of the trash and debris left behind after a roof replacement will also influence the cost of your new roof. Your roofer may add a dumpster rental or disposal fee to the price. If your roof has two layers needing removal, expect the dump fees to increase.
Call Us Today
At Point Roofing, we excel at roof replacements. Our knowledgeable and highly experienced roofing experts can help you choose the best roof for your Boise home based on your needs and budget. We’re committed to delivering industry-leading products and superior results to ensure your satisfaction. Contact us today to request a free estimate.
