Roof Replacement Cost Calculator (2026)
By Dan Whitlock, Home Projects Editor · Updated July 2026
A roof replacement is priced mostly by area and material. In 2026, an asphalt shingle roof, by far the most common, costs about $3 to $5 per square foot installed, or roughly $5,700 to $12,000 for a typical home. Steep or cut-up roofs, tearing off multiple old layers, and premium materials like metal push it higher. Enter your roof area below (tip: roof area is larger than your home’s footprint because of pitch and overhangs).
Estimate your cost
Roughly your home footprint × 1.4 for an average pitch. A roofing "square" = 100 sq ft.
Labor and materials swing with local cost of living.
Estimated roof replacement cost
$6,800 – $12,750
Most homeowners pay around $9,350
Cost breakdown
- 1700 × ~$5.5$9,350
Planning estimate based on 2026 national price data, not a quote. Get local quotes to confirm.
What drives your roof replacement cost
- Roof size: measured in "squares" (100 sq ft); the actual roof is larger than the home footprint.
- Material: 3-tab is cheapest, architectural is standard, metal costs about 2× asphalt.
- Pitch & complexity: steep, multi-facet roofs need more labor and safety equipment.
- Tear-off: removing 2–3 old layers adds disposal and labor.
- Decking repair: rotted plywood found during tear-off is an extra you can’t see until you start.
Ready for real numbers?
A calculator gets you the fair range. Local quotes confirm it for your exact home. Comparing 2–3 written quotes from licensed local pros is the single best way to avoid overpaying: ask each for the same scope in writing so the numbers are comparable.
Ways to save
- Architectural asphalt is the sweet spot of price, looks, and warranty for most homes.
- Replace before leaks cause deck rot; decking repairs are a costly surprise.
- Get quotes in early spring or late fall, outside peak storm-repair season.
- Confirm whether a full tear-off is required or an overlay is allowed by local code.
- Bundle with gutter or skylight work while the crew is already up there.
Hire it out, or do it yourself?
Leave this one to a proRoof replacement is firmly pro territory, and three things explain why. First, working on a pitched roof carries real fall risk: the job requires harnesses, roof jacks, and experience moving quickly on a surface that is also being stripped down to bare decking. Second, major manufacturers like Owens Corning and GAF tie their warranty tiers to certified installer programs; a homeowner-installed roof typically gets material warranty only, losing the full-system coverage that actually matters when a leak develops years later. Third, speed matters: an exposed roof is a weather risk, and a full crew can close a house in a day.
The prep work an experienced crew does (inspecting the decking for rot once the shingles come off, reflashing valleys and penetrations, installing ice-and-water shield in the right zones) is not documented on a YouTube tutorial. These are the details that prevent interior water damage five years after the roof looks fine from the street.
The honest DIY path exists only at the margin: patching a few shingles on a low-slope, walkable roof is manageable and saves $200–$400 in service calls. Anything involving a full tear-off, steep pitch, or complex roof with multiple valleys and penetrations belongs with a licensed roofing contractor who carries liability insurance.
Helpful products
Taking the DIY route, or doing part of the job yourself? These are the product categories most people buy for this project. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, and it never changes your price.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new roof cost in 2026?
An asphalt shingle roof costs about $3–$5 per square foot installed, or roughly $5,700–$12,000 for a typical home. Larger, steeper, or premium-material roofs cost more; metal roughly doubles the asphalt price.
How do I estimate my roof size?
Multiply your home’s footprint (square feet) by about 1.3–1.5 to account for pitch and overhangs. A 1,200 sq ft footprint is often ~1,700 sq ft of roof, or 17 "squares."
Is a metal roof worth the extra cost?
Metal costs about twice as much as asphalt up front but lasts 40–70 years versus 15–30, sheds snow, and can lower cooling bills, so it is worth it if you plan to stay long-term or live in a harsh climate.
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Price ranges cross-referenced against these 2026 cost guides and contractor databases:
A new roof sheds water harder than the old one. If the gutters are original to the house, price them while the staging is already up.
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