What Is the Cost of Roof Repair? (2023 Guide)

In This Guide: Roof Repair Cost | Cost Factors | Types of Roofs | Types of Repairs | Other Cost Considerations | DIY vs. Professional ​​| Signs of Damage | Cost-Saving Tips | How to Hire a Pro | Conclusion | FAQs

Your roof protects your home from the elements, so it can be stressful when it gets damaged. However, delaying your repairs could lead to bigger issues. John Foley, New England Branch Manager of Long Home Products, says, “A roofing problem does not fix itself. The problem can snowball into other issues, such as mold and wood rot.” While roof repair can be expensive, it’s less costly than roof replacement, so it’s best to fix problems as soon as they arise. In this guide, we’ll break down the costs of the most common roof repairs and offer tips for saving money.

The national average cost of roof repair is around $1,000. However, you could pay anywhere from $300–$15,000 depending on the repair you need. Here are some factors that determine the price:

• Repair type: The larger or more complex the repair, the more it will cost.
• Material: Some roofing materials are more difficult and therefore costlier to work with than others.
• Roof features: Structural elements are more expensive to repair than surface features.
• Pitch/design: If your roof is steep or difficult to access, labor costs will be higher.

Cost of Roof Repair by Repair Type

Repair type has the largest impact on cost. A minor repair such as replacing a few missing shingles will cost substantially less than replacing support trusses. The size of your roof doesn’t usually matter as much as the extent of the damage.

Cost of Roof Repair by Material

The type of roof you have will also determine how much it costs to repair. In general, the more expensive and difficult the material is to install, the more it will cost to repair per square foot. Asphalt shingles are typically on the low end of the price range, while metal and slate tiles are on the high end.

Cost of Roof Repair by Roof Features

Your roof has at least a dozen features that can leak, rust, corrode, or otherwise need repair. Repair costs vary based on the extent and location of the damage. Here are the average cost ranges for some common roof feature repairs:

Cost of Roof Repair by Pitch and Design

Roof pitch—that is, the slope of your roof—and design will affect where your repairs fall on the pricing spectrum. Steep roofs are more difficult and therefore costlier to fix, whereas flat roofs are easier and less expensive to repair. That’s because flat roofs lack the complex ridges, valleys, and verges of conventional roofs. Conversely, a roof with many levels and features—particularly one that’s several stories off the ground—will be the most expensive to repair.

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Take the following factors into consideration when budgeting for your roof repair:

• Weather: If you live in an area with high winds or lots of snow, your roof will likely experience more damage and require more expensive repairs.
• Time of year: Repairs cost more when roofers are busiest: during winter in cold climates and the rainy season in wet climates.
• Age of your roof: Older roofs require more extensive and costly repairs.
• Location: Urban areas and those experiencing housing booms often have higher repair costs.
• Labor: About 60% of roof repair costs go toward labor.

Roof type is characterized by the material that makes up your roof’s surface. Different roofing materials require different structures to support and seal them.

Asphalt and Composite Shingles

The most common type of roof in the United States is composed of asphalt or composite (asphalt and fiberglass) shingles. These roof shingles have different quality levels ranging from basic to premium with prices to match. Asphalt shingle roofs have the shortest lifespan at around 20–25 years for basic shingles and 25–35 years for premium shingles.

Tile Roofs

Tile roofs may be made of clay, ceramic, terra cotta, or concrete tiles. These tiles are highly durable but require special underlayment to support their weight. Tile roofs can last from 50–100 years depending on the quality of the tile and the installation. Since clay is porous, these types of roofs don’t last as long in wet climates or those with extreme temperature changes.

Flat Roofs

A roof with no incline requires waterproof materials such as bitumen, tar and gravel, or rubber membrane since water doesn’t slide off the way it does on an angled roof. A flat roof’s lifespan ranges from 10–25 years depending on the climate. This roof type is often the least expensive to install and repair.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofing includes a variety of materials and styles, from corrugated tin sheeting to aluminum paneling to high-end zinc tiles. Metal roofs offer durability, energy efficiency, and weather resistance; plus, they’re easier to clean. On the downside, they’re more expensive to install and repair, and not all homeowners like how they look. While copper and zinc are by far the most expensive metal roofing materials, they can last from 70–100 years when properly installed.

Slate Roofs

Slate, a type of flat metamorphic stone, is one of the most expensive roofing materials available. That’s because a slate roof can last as long as 75–100 years with little maintenance. Slate stands up well to heat and cold and resists moisture and fungal growth. It’s also an excellent insulator, making it ideal for energy conservation. Besides being expensive, though, slate tiles are heavy and fragile, requiring careful installation and reinforced support.

Wood Shingles and Shakes

Cedar is the most common wood used for roofing, but poplar and sugar pine are also cut into shakes and shingles. Shakes have a more rustic and hand-cut appearance than shingles and tend to be more expensive. Wood shakes and shingles last about 30 years but require substantial maintenance, such as staining and cleaning. They’re also susceptible to moisture damage over time.

Not all roof damage requires the same type of repair work. Here are some of the most common roof repair types:

• Chimney Flashing Repair: Roof flashing is thin metal sheeting, typically aluminum, that makes a roof’s joints, seams, and corners more water resistant. If the flashing corrodes or loosens, your roof can develop a leak. Repairing or replacing flashing around a chimney usually costs $200–$300.
• Dormer Repair: A dormer is an architectural addition that juts out from the side of a pitched roof and contains a window. It’s covered by a miniature roof of its own, and repairs to this covering can cost  $250–$1,000 depending on the extent of the problem.
• Hail Damage Roof Repair: Hail and other storm damage can cost from $700–$4,000 to fix. Surface damage may only require low-end repair such as new shingles, while structural damage typically requires bigger, more expensive repairs.
• Ridge Capping Repair: Ridge capping refers to the triangular tiles that sit at the roof’s peak where its two sides meet. This area is prone to cracks and gaps that may require caulking or entirely new tiles and bedding (the cement mortar that holds the tiles in place). Repairs for ridge capping damage usually cost $250–$750.
• Roof Eaves Repair: Eaves are the junctions where a home’s walls meet the roof. These areas require careful engineering to support the roof and make the home weather resistant, so repairs are comparatively expensive at an average cost of $1,450–$1,650.
• Roof Fascia and Soffits Repair: The horizontal boards that run under a roof’s overhang are called fascia. Fascia support gutters, so they need to be in good shape. The nearby soffits—the exposed pieces of siding on the underside of a roof’s overhang—are also important for ventilation. Repairs to these features have a typical price range of $300–$1,500.
• Roof Hole: Patching a hole in a roof can cost anywhere from $100–$1,000 depending on the size of the hole and type of roofing material.
• Roof Leak Repair: The size of a leak and the length of time it’s been going on will determine the final cost of repair. A small leak may only cost a few hundred dollars to fix, but if substantial water has gotten into the underlayment, your roof may require structural repairs costing $1,000 or more.
• Roof Replacement: The worst-case scenario is that your entire roof needs replacing. Roof replacement can cost anywhere from $8,500–$14,300, with an average cost of $11,000. The final price of a new roof will depend on your home’s square footage and the total roofing material costs.
• Rafter Tail Repair: Rafter tails extend past the walls of the home and support the overhang. They’re an integral part of a roof’s structure, so repairing them is usually a little costlier at $300–$3,000.
• Roof Truss Repair: Roof trusses form the interior wooden “skeleton” of the roof. The outer roofing material should protect them from moisture, but over time, they can be damaged by water, insects, or fungus. Only a professional roofing contractor should perform truss repair, which can cost between $500 and $5,000 depending on severity.
• Roof Valley Repair: A roof’s valley is where two descending slopes meet. Precipitation gathers and flows in this area, so it needs to be carefully waterproofed with roof flashing. Depending on the extent of damage, it can cost between $300 and $1,000 to repair.
• Roof Vent Repair: Vents, which allow gas or exhaust from within the home to escape, can form weak points where they meet the roofing material. Cracks and gaps in these areas can usually be patched quickly and easily with sealant, so repairs tend to be in the low range of $75–$250.
• Roof Verge Repair: The roof’s verge is its outer edge. Since it’s essentially a raw edge of roofing material, it needs to be carefully mortared to keep water out. It’s an easy-to-access spot, however, and repairs don’t normally require ripping up the existing roof, so costs range from $250–$750.
• Sagging Roof: If an old roof has begun to sag, it’s usually a sign of severe damage. Often, the structure underneath the sagging portion needs to be exposed and replaced, making this one of the most expensive forms of roof repair besides replacement. Be prepared to pay $2,000 or more.
• Shingle Repair: If roof damage is limited to the shingles, repair costs may be low, depending on how many shingles have been affected. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 for a few basic shingles to $800 for a large area of premium shingles.
• Skylight Repair: Like chimneys and vents, skylights can leak if not properly sealed. Repairs tend to be simple, costing $300–$500 on average.

To understand the different parts of a roof, see the diagram below, as illustrated in our Learn the Basics of Roof Systems article.

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Apart from labor and materials, be sure to consider the following in your budget calculations:

• Permits: The exact permit needed will depend on the type of work, but these cost about $75.
• Roof inspection: If you’re not sure what the problem is, you should have a professional inspect your roof for $100–$600.
• Emergency services: If you need roof repair immediately, be prepared to add several hundred dollars to the overall cost.
• Gutters: Roof damage can also cause problems with your home’s gutters, which may need to be repaired ($150–$500) or replaced ($1,000–$3,000).

You may be able to repair some minor roof issues yourself, including missing shingles or small leaks. You can buy basic shingles for about $30 per pack, and as long as you have a hammer, a pry bar, and the right fasteners, shingles are fairly easy to replace. Similarly, if the problem is a leak around a chimney, vent, or skylight, you can apply sealant yourself. Always make sure to consider your physical ability before attempting DIY repairs and take proper precautions when working on a roof, especially if it’s a multiple-story house.

For moderate or major problems, you’ll want to hire a professional roofing company. There’s a reason roofing contractors must have a current license: major roof repair requires knowledge, experience, and specialized equipment. “A single bundle of shingles is gonna weigh at least 70 pounds. So, you’re gonna have to carry 80 bundles of shingles up a ladder, which is simply unsafe anyway. The average homeowner doesn’t have ladder elevators or that type of $10,000 equipment to get these things on the roof safely,” says Foley.

Improper installation of even small sections of roofing material can cause big problems, such as water leaking into the roof and internal structure. While labor costs can be steep, professional roofing is worth the price to protect your home.

Some signs of roof damage are obvious, while others may be more subtle. Here are some indicators that your roof may need repairing:

• Visible damage to shingles (such as holes, tears, and missing granules)
• Moss or mildew buildup in valleys
• Leaks or water stains in your ceiling or attic
• Pooling water on the roof
• Ice dams after heavy snow
• Visible sagging
• Increasing energy bills not caused by HVAC problems
• Gutters clogged with shingle granules

If you’re daunted by the potential cost of roof repair, here are some things you can do to minimize the overall price:

• Perform a visual inspection of the roof twice per year and after any major storms for potential damage.
• Have a professional perform a roof inspection once per year to catch problems early.
• See if your homeowners insurance will pay for repairs after a natural disaster.
• For minor and moderate problems that occur during the snowy or rainy season, consider performing a temporary fix yourself and hiring professionals once the busy season has passed.
• Understand the parts of your roof system and what purpose they serve so you can be better informed about what your roof needs.
• Look for local, state, or federal rebates on repairs that make your home more energy-efficient.

When deciding between local roofing companies, here are some steps to take:

• Ask if the contractors who will perform the work are licensed, bonded, and insured.
• If you’re utilizing your insurance or home warranty, make sure the contractor has been approved.
• Get cost estimates and any kind of guarantee or warranty in writing.
• Ask for references from prior customers and check customer reviews on sites such as Yelp, TrustPilot, or Google Reviews.
• Check the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) page for ratings and customer complaints.
• Ask about specials, discounts, or rebates.

Though roof repair can be expensive, it’s important that it’s done right. This usually means hiring a licensed roofing contractor to perform repairs. There are some small repairs you can do yourself, but if you’re not confident in your abilities, consider if you want to risk further damaging your roof and your home. Be sure to leave room in your home maintenance budget for roof repair, especially if you live in an area with high levels of precipitation.

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