Guaranteed Rate Refinance Calculator

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Roofing Replacement Cost Estimator

Estimate the cost of replacing your roof based on area, pitch, and material choice.

Include garage and covered porches if applicable.
Flat to Low Slope (e.g., 2/12 – 4/12) Medium Slope (e.g., 5/12 – 8/12) Steep Slope (e.g., 9/12 and up) Steeper roofs require more labor and safety equipment.
Architectural Asphalt Shingles (Avg $4.50/sq ft) Standing Seam Metal (Avg $9.00/sq ft) Clay/Concrete Tile (Avg $14.00/sq ft) Natural Slate (Avg $22.00/sq ft) Base installed cost per square foot (materials + standard labor).

Estimated Project Total:

*This estimate includes a 10% waste factor for materials. Actual bids vary based on contractor availability, location, and tear-off complexity.

function calculateRoofCost() { // 1. Get Input Values var areaInput = document.getElementById("roofArea").value; var pitchMultiplier = parseFloat(document.getElementById("roofPitch").value); var materialCostPerSqFt = parseFloat(document.getElementById("roofMaterial").value); // 2. Validate Inputs var area = parseFloat(areaInput); var resultDiv = document.getElementById("roofResult"); var resultValue = document.getElementById("resultValue"); if (isNaN(area) || area <= 0) { resultDiv.style.display = "block"; resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#fceeee"; resultDiv.style.borderLeftColor = "#d63638"; resultValue.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid positive roof area."; return; } // 3. Calculation Logic // Add 10% for waste factor (cutting shingles to fit valleys/edges) var wasteFactor = 1.10; var totalAreaWithWaste = area * wasteFactor; // Base calculation: (Area + Waste) * Material Cost * Pitch Difficulty var estimatedBaseCost = totalAreaWithWaste * materialCostPerSqFt * pitchMultiplier; // Create a range (+/- 15%) to be realistic about market variance var lowerBound = estimatedBaseCost * 0.85; var upperBound = estimatedBaseCost * 1.15; // 4. Format and Display Results var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', { style: 'currency', currency: 'USD', minimumFractionDigits: 0, maximumFractionDigits: 0, }); resultDiv.style.display = "block"; resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#eef7fc"; resultDiv.style.borderLeftColor = "#0073aa"; resultValue.innerHTML = formatter.format(lowerBound) + " – " + formatter.format(upperBound); }

Understanding Roofing Replacement Costs

Replacing a roof is one of the most significant investments a homeowner will make. The final quote you receive from a contractor depends on several variables beyond just the size of your house. Our calculator above helps estimate these costs by considering the three main drivers of price: material type, roof area, and roof pitch.

1. Material Selection

The material you choose has the largest impact on the price per square foot. While asphalt shingles are the most common and affordable option in North America, upgrading to materials with longer lifespans increases the cost significantly.

  • Asphalt Shingles: The budget-friendly standard, offering a 20-30 year lifespan.
  • Metal Roofing: Highly durable and energy-efficient, often lasting 50+ years, but comes at a premium.
  • Tile or Slate: The heaviest and most expensive options, requiring specialized labor and often structural reinforcement, but they can last over a century.

2. Roof Area and "Squares"

Roofers measure area in "squares." One square equals 100 square feet. If your roof is 2,500 square feet, that is 25 squares. It is important to note that your roof's square footage is almost always larger than your home's floor plan square footage due to overhangs, eaves, and the slope of the roof.

3. Roof Pitch (Steepness)

The angle, or "pitch," of your roof affects labor costs dramatically. A low-slope roof is walkable and easy to stage materials on. A steep roof requires installers to use harnesses, roof jacks, and specialized safety scaffolding, which slows down the work and increases labor hours. Steep roofs also often require more complex flashing around chimneys and valleys.

Other Cost Factors to Consider

While the calculator provides a solid baseline, real-world quotes will include other factors not covered here, such as:

  • Tear-off: Removing and disposing of the existing roof layers. Multiple layers increase disposal fees.
  • Decking Repair: If the plywood beneath the shingles is rotted, it must be replaced before new roofing is installed.
  • Geographic Location: Labor rates and material shipping costs vary by region.
  • Permits and Warranties: Local building permit fees and extended manufacturer warranties will add to the final total.

Always recommend getting at least three detailed, written estimates from licensed and insured roofing contractors before making a final decision.

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