Have you experienced any of the following issues with your roof?
- Missing shingles
- Torn, bruised, or cracked shingles or tiles
- Sagging roof
- Mold or mildew growth on your roof flashing or gutters
All of these are signs that your roof is in for some much-needed repairs. But how do you know how much money to set aside to completely repair your roof damage?
Here, we break down the factors to consider when calculating your roof repair cost, plus the average costs for the most common roof repairs.
4 Factors That Determine Roof Repair Cost
Unfortunately, there is no quick or easy answer when it comes to estimating the cost of roof repair because there are simply too many factors that go into it. While an estimate from a professional roofing contractor will give you the best guess to work with, you can get a sense of the cost of your project by keeping the following factors in mind.
1) Extent of the Damage
As you might expect, minor repairs will cost less than replacing your entire roof. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the average total roof replacement in the United States comes in at $10,000. You can expect lesser damage to cost a smaller, proportionate amount.
Keep in mind that there may be times when a total roof replacement will be more cost-effective than smaller repairs. For example, if more than a third of your roof needs repairs, the labor costs may be such that it will cost the same amount of money (if not less) to move forward with replacing the entire roof. Then, you shouldn’t have to worry about budgeting for additional repairs for at least the next several years.
Additionally, if you already planned to replace your roof within the next few years, getting it done now will save you from paying twice in a row for essentially the same roof work.
2) Home and Roof Size
The average cost of a total roof replacement listed above is based on a 2,000-square-foot home. If your home is bigger or smaller than this, you can expect your roof repair cost to adjust in turn.
The square footage of your roof itself should also be taken into consideration. The steeper the slope of your roof, the more surface area it has. This means that a steep roof will require more materials to cover it than a low-slope or flat roof on a building of the same size.
When roofing contractors work on buildings with second or third stories, they often need to use more caution and safety equipment than they would on single-story buildings, raising the labor costs associated with the project. Anticipate inflated rates if you have a multi-story home.
Finally, a complicated roof with many corners and edges requires more skill to repair or replace, which means that roofing companies will also quote higher repair costs for these types of roofs.
3) Labor Costs
Speaking of labor, the costs associated with workers account for over half of the final project price; most often, they account for 60% of total project costs.
You might read this and think, “Why can’t I perform the repairs myself, and save all the money I would have spent on labor costs?” While you might be able to replace a few missing shingles on your own, we wouldn’t recommend attempting a more extensive repair project than that on your own. Working on top of a roof is a risky business, and without the proper training, you put yourself in a position where you’re likely to cause harm to yourself or others if you attempt a job that’s too big to handle on your own.
4) Your Roofing Materials
One of the major factors in determining the cost of your roof repair project is the roofing material that covers your roof. In general, asphalt shingles are the cheapest option you can go with, while a slate roof will be the most expensive option. Check out the average cost per square foot for some of the most common roofing materials:
- Architectural asphalt shingles: $2-$3
- Cedar shakes: $4-$5
- Corrugated metal (for exposed fastener style roofs) $3.50
- Standing seam metal: $5+
- Concrete tiles: $6+
Remember that these numbers represent averages, so the cost may be higher or lower depending on where you live and the availability of these products in your area. These numbers don’t include the cost of installation, so you’ll need to budget for that as well.
The commonality of the roofing material you use also impacts the cost of labor for your project. For example, asphalt shingles are used all the time for roofs of all shapes and sizes; nearly all roofing crews have experience installing this material. It will be relatively easy for them to install and therefore take them less time to complete the project.
On the other hand, materials like zinc, copper, and concrete are less common, and your local roofing crews may not have had much opportunity to work with these materials in the past. If your roof requires that your contractor have specialized training in order to install it properly, expect to pay for that extra experience.
Other Costs to Consider
When you’re doing a roof repair job, you need to think about more than just the immediate costs of the project. Additional expenses for the following items can add up fast:
- Removal and disposal of old, damaged materials
- Repairing underlayment and decking that have been damaged as a result of exposure
- Repair of skylights, vents, chimneys, or other roof features
- Product and/or labor warranties to go with your new roof
While none of these are necessary to successfully complete a roof repair project, they can be nice to take care of while you’re having roof work done anyway.
Keep These Roof Repair Costs in Mind
While your house has sustained storm damage or just experienced normal wear and tear, knowing how to calculate your roof repair cost will help you maintain control over your home’s finances while completing the necessary repairs. Remember to factor in the size of your roof, the complexity of the task, and the depth of the damage to get the most accurate estimate possible.
Of course, a professional roofing company will be able to provide you with the most accurate estimate of all. Using our over 25 years of experience, the team at Clean Cut Roofing has more than enough expertise to provide you with a thorough roof inspection and an accurate estimate of the cost of your repairs. Contact us now to receive your free estimate!
