Low Slope (Walkable)
Medium Slope (Standard)
Steep Slope (Difficult)
Asphalt Shingles (Basic) – $4.50/sq ft
Asphalt Shingles (Premium) – $6.50/sq ft
Metal Roofing (Standing Seam) – $11.00/sq ft
Clay/Concrete Tile – $15.00/sq ft
Natural Slate – $22.00/sq ft
Yes ($1.50/sq ft)
No (Overlay)
Estimated Total Cost
$0.00
Roof Area: 0 sq ft
*This is a national average estimate including materials and labor. Actual contractor bids may vary by +/- 15% based on location and complexity.
function calculateRoofCost() {
// Get inputs
var homeSize = parseFloat(document.getElementById('homeSize').value);
var pitchMultiplier = parseFloat(document.getElementById('roofPitch').value);
var materialCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById('roofMaterial').value);
var tearOffCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tearOff').value);
var errorDiv = document.getElementById('sizeError');
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result');
// Validation
if (isNaN(homeSize) || homeSize <= 0) {
errorDiv.style.display = 'block';
resultDiv.style.display = 'none';
return;
} else {
errorDiv.style.display = 'none';
}
// Calculation Logic
// 1. Calculate actual roof surface area based on pitch and overhang (approx 10% for overhangs/waste)
var wasteFactor = 1.10;
var roofArea = homeSize * pitchMultiplier * wasteFactor;
// 2. Calculate total cost per sq ft (Material + Labor + Tear off)
// Note: Material costs in value attribute act as "Installed Cost" baseline
var totalCostPerSqFt = materialCost + tearOffCost;
// 3. Total Project Cost
var totalCost = roofArea * totalCostPerSqFt;
// Formatting
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
minimumFractionDigits: 0,
maximumFractionDigits: 0,
});
var areaFormatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
maximumFractionDigits: 0
});
// Update DOM
document.getElementById('totalCostDisplay').innerText = formatter.format(totalCost);
document.getElementById('breakdownDisplay').innerText = 'Est. Roof Area: ' + areaFormatter.format(roofArea) + ' sq. ft. (includes waste factor)';
resultDiv.style.display = 'block';
}
How to Estimate Your Roof Replacement Cost
Replacing a roof is one of the most significant investments a homeowner will make. The cost can vary wildly depending on the materials you choose, the complexity of your roof's design, and local labor rates. Our Roof Replacement Cost Calculator helps you gain a realistic baseline for your budget before you start soliciting bids from contractors.
Key Factors That Influence Roofing Costs
While the square footage of your home is the primary driver of cost, three other variables play a crucial role in the final price tag:
Roof Pitch (Steepness): A "steep" roof isn't just an aesthetic choice; it's a safety hazard for workers. Roofs with a high pitch require special safety gear, staging, and slower working speeds, which increases labor costs significantly.
Material Choice: Asphalt shingles are the most common and affordable option in North America. However, premium materials like metal (standing seam), clay tile, or slate can cost 3x to 5x more but offer significantly longer lifespans (50+ years).
Tear-Off vs. Overlay: Removing the old layers of shingles (tear-off) adds labor and disposal fees to your project. While layering new shingles over old ones (overlay) is cheaper, it can hide structural damage and shorten the lifespan of the new roof.
Average Costs by Material (Installed)
Material Type
Avg. Cost Per Sq. Ft.
Lifespan
Asphalt Shingles (3-Tab)
$3.50 – $5.50
15-20 Years
Architectural Shingles
$5.00 – $8.00
25-30 Years
Metal Roofing
$9.00 – $14.00
40-70 Years
Clay/Concrete Tile
$12.00 – $18.00
50+ Years
Slate
$20.00 – $30.00
100+ Years
Understanding "Squares" in Roofing
When you speak to professional roofers, you might hear the term "square." In the roofing industry, one square equals 100 square feet of roof area. For example, if your roof surface area is 2,500 square feet, a roofer would say you have a "25-square" roof.
Example Calculation
Let's say you have a standard 2,000 sq. ft. home footprint with a moderate slope and you want to install architectural asphalt shingles ($6.50/sq ft installed) including the removal of the old roof ($1.50/sq ft).
The math would look like this:
Calculate Roof Area: 2,000 sq ft (base) × 1.15 (pitch multiplier) × 1.10 (waste factor) = 2,530 sq ft total area.
Calculate Unit Cost: $6.50 (Material) + $1.50 (Tear-off) = $8.00 per sq ft.
Total Estimate: 2,530 sq ft × $8.00 = $20,240.
Use the calculator above to adjust these numbers for your specific home.