What is the average cost to put on a roof?
The average cost to put on a roof is $8,000 to $12,000 for a typical American home (1,700-2,500 square feet) with asphalt shingles. The national median is approximately $9,500, though costs vary significantly based on home size, materials, and location.
Average Costs by Common House Sizes
- 1,000 sq ft home – $4,500 average ($3,500-$6,000 range)
- 1,500 sq ft home – $6,750 average ($5,500-$9,000 range)
- 1,700 sq ft home – $7,700 average ($6,000-$10,000 range)
- 2,000 sq ft home – $9,000 average ($7,000-$12,000 range)
- 2,500 sq ft home – $11,250 average ($9,000-$15,000 range)
- 3,000 sq ft home – $13,500 average ($10,500-$18,000 range)
National Average by Roofing Material
- Asphalt shingles (most common) – $8,500 average
- Metal roofing – $16,000 average
- Wood shakes – $17,500 average
- Tile roofing – $22,000 average
- Slate roofing – $30,000 average
- Flat roof systems – $7,500 average
What Drives the Average Cost
Labor (40-50% of total cost):
- Installation crew wages
- Time required for complexity
- Regional labor rates
- Safety equipment and measures
Materials (30-40% of total cost):
- Shingles or roofing material
- Underlayment and barriers
- Flashing and trim
- Ventilation components
- Fasteners and adhesives
Tear-off and Disposal (10-15% of total cost):
- Removing existing roof
- Dumpster rental
- Disposal fees
- Labor for removal
Additional Costs (5-10% of total cost):
- Permits and inspections
- Deck repairs if needed
- Contractor overhead and profit
Average Cost Per Square
Roofing is measured in squares (100 sq ft):
- Budget tier – $300-$400 per square
- Standard tier – $400-$550 per square
- Premium tier – $550-$750 per square
- Luxury tier – $750-$1,500+ per square
How Regional Location Affects Average Cost
- High-cost metros – 20-40% above national average
- Medium-cost areas – Within 10% of national average
- Low-cost rural areas – 15-25% below national average
Highest cost cities:
- San Francisco – $13,500 average
- New York City – $12,800 average
- Seattle – $12,200 average
- Boston – $11,900 average
Lowest cost regions:
- Rural South – $7,200 average
- Rural Midwest – $7,500 average
- Small town Mountain West – $7,800 average
Average Project Duration
- Small home (under 1,500 sq ft) – 1-2 days
- Average home (1,500-2,500 sq ft) – 2-3 days
- Large home (2,500-4,000 sq ft) – 3-5 days
- Very large or complex – 5-10 days
Average Financing Options
For the national average of $9,500:
- Cash payment – No interest, may get 3-5% discount
- Home equity loan – 6-9% APR typical, tax deductible
- Personal loan – 8-18% APR based on credit
- Contractor financing – 0% APR for 12-18 months common, then 10-20%
- Credit card – 18-25% APR (only with 0% promotional offers)
When Costs Are Higher Than Average
- Steep roof pitch (over 8:12)
- Multi-story home
- Complex architectural features
- Significant deck repairs needed
- Premium or specialty materials
- High cost of living area
- Peak season installation (summer)
- Difficult site access
When Costs Are Lower Than Average
- Simple single-story design
- Low to moderate roof pitch
- Rural or lower-cost area
- Off-season installation
- No tear-off required
- Budget material selection
- Minimal deck repairs needed
How to Budget for Your Roof
- Measure your home’s square footage
- Multiply by 1.15 to estimate roof area
- Use $4.25 per sq ft as baseline for asphalt shingles
- Adjust for your region (higher/lower cost area)
- Add 10-20% buffer for unexpected repairs
- Get 3-5 professional quotes to refine estimate
Example for 2,000 sq ft house:
2,000 × 1.15 = 2,300 sq ft of roof
2,300 × $4.25 = $9,775
Regional adjustment: ±20%
Expected range: $7,800-$11,700
These national averages provide a useful starting point for budgeting, but your actual cost depends heavily on location, home characteristics, and material choices. Always obtain multiple detailed quotes from licensed, insured contractors in your area for accurate pricing.