A shingle roof costs $8,266–$29,688 on average for a 2,000-square-foot home. A few different factors will determine your final roofing costs, like your home’s size, roof pitch, chosen shingles, local labor rates and permits, and if your roof’s foundation needs repairs.
When you meet with local roofing contractors, ask about material options and warranty coverage. Asphalt shingles are a popular roofing material for American homes, offering both durability and affordability, and a warranty can protect your investment over time. Our guide breaks down the cost, benefits, drawbacks, and lifespan of different types of shingles to help you choose the best option for your roof.
Key Takeaways
- The cost to install a shingle roof is between $4.13–$14.84 per square foot, but can vary depending on your materials, roof size, and location.
- Your roof’s square footage and your chosen shingles largely determine project costs, but other factors like labor rates and your home’s roof pitch can also affect pricing.
- Asphalt is the most affordable material for this type of roof, while synthetic slate shingles are usually the priciest option.
Get Your Roofing Project Quote Today
Compare quotes from local pros
How Much Does a Shingle Roof Cost?
The cost to install new shingles is between $4.13–$14.84 per square foot or around $8,266–$29,688 for a 2,000-square-foot house. The amount you pay will vary based on where you live, your roof, and the project details. Your roof’s size determines the material and labor costs for installing new shingles, which is a major portion of what you’ll pay. While shingles are most commonly made from asphalt, you can also find options made of higher-quality, more expensive materials.
Learn more about the different factors that impact shingle roof costs in the sections below.
Note: The cost data featured in this section and throughout this guide was sourced using Homewyse, unless otherwise specified.
Cost by Square Foot
The square footage of your home isn’t the only thing that determines how complex a roofing job is, but it has the biggest impact on cost. The table below highlights the typical price ranges of an asphalt shingle roof based on roof size, material, and labor costs. Note that materials usually make up less than half of the total project cost.
| Roof Size (Square Feet) | Cost of Asphalt Shingles | Total Cost with Installation |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $1,311–$1,871 | $4,214–$5,836 |
| 1,200 | $1,574–$2,245 | $5,025–$6,959 |
| 1,500 | $1,967–$2,807 | $6,240–$8,643 |
| 2,000 | $2,623–$3,742 | $8,266–$11,449 |
| 2,500 | $3,279–$4,678 | $10,293–$14,256 |
| 3,000 | $3,934–$5,613 | $12,319–$17,063 |
| 3,500 | $4,590–$6,549 | $14,345–$19,870 |
Cost by Type of Shingles
There are several types of roof shingles, including basic, premium architectural, and composite shingles. Shingles may also be made from metal, wood, stone, or other materials, which are typically more expensive than asphalt.
| Material | Cost per Square Foot | Average Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | $4.13–$5.72 | 20–30 years |
| Architectural asphalt shingles | $5.85–$8.06 | 20–40 years |
| Composite shingles | $6.60–$8.70 | 15–25 years |
| Fiberglass shingles | $7.97–$10.65 | 50–80 years |
| Cedar shingles | $10.53–$14.31 | 15–30 years |
| Steel shingles | $10.54–$14.32 | 40–70 years |
| Synthetic slate shingles | $10.57–$14.84 | 100+ years |
Your roof’s lifespan may vary depending on how well you maintain it and various weather and locational conditions. If not maintained properly, your roof may need replacement sooner rather than later.
Cost by Location
As with other home improvement projects, shingle roof costs vary by location. Areas with a higher cost of living have higher prices. Typically, roof replacement costs are lower in rural locations than in coastal and urban areas.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Shingled Roofs?
Square footage and roofing material primarily determine your total price, but here are some additional costs to consider.
Roof Height and Pitch
Your roof’s height and pitch—aka its slope—determine how many shingles your roof needs, how difficult it will be for roofers to install them, and which type of shingle will fit best. The higher the pitch and height, the more expensive labor will be due to the challenge and danger of working on the roof.
Local Labor Rates
Installation usually makes up about 60% of new roof costs, and anything that makes the job more time-consuming or difficult will increase the total price. Roofs with a steep slope or limited accessibility cost more to replace or fix. Working around features such as skylights and dormers can also make the project take longer and increase costs.
Shingle Brand
The shingles’ quality and material affect price more than the brand, but there are lower-end and higher-end brands. Owens Corning and GAF are on the affordable end, while IKO and Tamko have slightly higher prices.
Roof Repairs
Installing a new roof involves more than laying new shingles. It usually requires repairing or replacing the existing decking and underlayment in addition to the outer layer of shingles. Roof repair costs vary substantially based on what needs repairing or replacing. Vents and ridge capping are some of the least expensive aspects, while repairing or reinforcing eaves, rafter tails, and trusses are more costly.
Old Shingle Removal
If you’re replacing your roof, someone will need to tear off the old shingles and any damaged roofing structures before new shingles are installed. Any debris will also need to be disposed of. This usually costs $1–$5 per square foot of old materials.
Warranty Coverage
Most major shingle brands offer a limited lifetime warranty on their roofing products. These warranties are prorated based on the age of the shingles and apply to materials only, though some manufacturers may cover labor if you work with one of their approved roofing contractors.
Evan Greene, sales manager of Northeast Exteriors for the New England Branch of Long Home Products, advises checking the warranty for specific exclusions such as proration, labor and workmanship components, and whether the manufacturer certifies the installer doing the work. Home warranties don’t cover roof replacement, but many offer limited roof-leak coverage.
Additional Services
While your new roof is being installed, you can tackle other related home improvement projects that would ordinarily require you to tear up some or all of your roof.
- Attic fan installation cost: $300–$900
- Flashing replacement cost: $200–$500
- Gutter Installation cost: $1,000–$6,500
- Skylight installation cost: $1,600–$4,200
How To Estimate the Cost of Your Asphalt Shingle Roof
While talking with a professional roofing contractor can give you the best idea of pricing for your new asphalt shingle roof, you can take a few steps to estimate costs beforehand.
- Determine the square footage of your home. If you’re unsure, measure the rooms around your home and multiply the length by the width. Then, add all those numbers together for the total square footage.
- Multiply your home’s square footage by 1.12, which is the pitch multiplier for a typical roof. This should give you the estimated square footage of your roof, which is different than your home’s square footage.
- Take your estimated roof square footage and multiply it by the average cost per square foot of your chosen roofing material.
- If you know you need additional work or services, like the installation of new gutters, you can add those estimated costs in, too.
- Repeat this process for each type of roofing material you’re considering so you can easily compare pricing across different options.
How To Save on Shingle Roof Costs
There are some steps you can take to save money on a new shingle roof, even if you hire a professional to install it. Here’s a quick list of ways to save on this project:
- Choose roofing materials that are less expensive or on sale. However, make sure you don’t cost yourself in the long run by choosing poor-quality materials.
- If it’s allowed in your state and your roof’s foundation is solid, you can sometimes apply a new layer of shingles without having to remove the old one, saving on removal and disposal costs.
- Hire professionals in the off-season—typically late fall or early spring—when they’re less in demand.
- Get quotes from at least three roofing contractors before making your choice.
- Extend your new roof’s life span by performing regular inspections and maintenance.
Signs You Need To Replace Your Roof Shingles
Here are some warning signs that it might be time to replace your roof shingles:
- Broken, bent, or cracked shingles
- Missing granules or granule buildup in gutters
- Water damage in attics or ceilings
- Moss growing on the roof
- Rust or wear around vents, pipes, or chimneys
- Buckling or dark spots on the roof
Can You Install Shingle Roofing Yourself?
Most do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) can replace a few shingles, but applying shingles to an entire roof is far more difficult and dangerous. Poorly laid shingles can create leaks that will seriously damage your roof’s structure. Here’s an overview of professional installation versus DIY.
DIY Shingle Installation
If you want to lay shingles yourself, you’ll need a chalk line, hammer, utility knife, roof harness, roofing nails, and fasteners in addition to the shingles. Note that these steps apply to shingle installation only and assume that the roof’s decking is in good condition and the flashing, underlayment, vents, and drip edge are already in place.
- Measure up from the bottom of the eave and snap a chalk line where you want to put your starter row, ensuring it covers the drip edge completely.
- Start applying shingles at the outer edge. Butt each shingle tight against the next one with no gaps, and use a minimum of four nails per three-tab shingle.
- For the second row, cut 6 inches off the edge of a shingle, following any manufacturer’s instructions to stagger the tabs. Cut 12 inches off for the third row, and so on.
- Start your rows away from any roof valleys and work toward them. When you’ve worked all the rows, snap a chalk line down the center of the valley, carefully cut the shingles up the chalk line, and seal them with roofing cement.
- Apply cap shingles at the top of any peaks, or create your own from standard shingles.
Professional Shingle Installation
A professional roofing company has the right tools, expertise, and workers to do the job quickly and correctly. We observed Erie Home installing an asphalt shingle roof and were surprised at how complicated the job can become. A high percentage of roof installation and roof repair costs goes to labor because this is a specialized job. Professional roofers know how to adjust for roof pitch and meet all necessary building codes. Additionally, most roofing contractors offer guarantees on their work.
At the installation, we also learned that various tools are needed, such as specialized ladders, tear-off shovels, and air compressors. Additionally, you must know how to secure yourself on a steep roof using ropes and pulleys and use magnetic tools to clean up your yard. Not knowing how to use the proper tools or navigate a roof can make attempting a DIY job dangerous.
Are Shingles Right for Your Home?
Shingles are one of the most common and versatile roof types. There is a shingle material and design for just about every budget and preference. Homeowners looking for a more economical option can choose asphalt shingles, while those aiming for a long-term investment can choose steel or synthetic slate.
Ultimately, we recommend speaking with a roofing company to find the best roofing option for your home and budget. Getting at least three quotes from different contractors or companies is also a good idea. By shopping for multiple free quotes, you can find the best installer for the most reasonable price.
FAQs About Shingle Roof Costs
How long does it take to shingle a roof?
Asphalt shingles are usually relatively quick to apply. A professional contractor can shingle a medium-sized roof in about two to three days. Larger, more complicated, or steeper roofs will take longer.
What is the cost of a shingle roof?
The average cost of a shingle roof for a 2,000-square-foot home is between $8,266 and $29,688. These prices apply to asphalt shingles, the most common and budget-friendly variety. Other materials, such as wood, synthetic stone, and metal, cost more.
How does a shingle roof affect the value of my home?
According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, a roof replacement with asphalt shingles has a 57% return on investment (ROI).
What are the cheapest roof shingles?
Three-tab asphalt shingles are the cheapest roofing shingle, but quality and prices can vary widely.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
