How Much Does it Cost to Shingle a Roof? | Full Pricing Guide

Are you looking for a home improvement project? In a world with endless projects to remodel your home and constantly changing prices, you need the best advice possible. This article will provide you with the crucial knowledge needed to repair, replace, and improve the shingles on your roof. Keep reading to find out how much shingles and roofing products cost depending on the roofing material used and your roof’s square footage.

How much does it cost to buy shingles for a roof?

It costs most homeowners between $8,000 and $9,000 to install new shingles on their roofs. On the lower end, some homeowners can get away with spending as little as $5,000. But on the higher end, shingling a roof can cost up to $12,000 and higher.

Roof Shingles Price Per Square Foot

The table below is a breakdown of the overall cost for shingles based on the square footage of your roof.

Roof Area	Overall Cost of Shingles	Cost Per Square Foot
750 square feet	$2,625 – $4,125	$3.50 – $5.50
1,000 square feet	$3,500 – $5,500	$3.50 – $5.50
1,200  square feet	$4,200 – $6,600	$3.50 – $5.50
1,500 square feet	$5,250 – $8,250	$3.50 -$5.50
1,700 square feet	$5,950 – $9,350	$3.50 – $5.50
2,000 square feet	$7,000 – $11,000	$3.50 – $5.50
2001+ square feet	$8,000+	$3.50 – $5.50

Roof Shingle Price Breakdown by Material

We took the opportunity to breakdown roof shingle pricing based on material and their costs per square foot.

Material	Cost Per Square Foot
Wood	$3.50-$5.00
Composite	$4.00
Asphalt	$0.90
Metal	$3-$25
Solar	$22.00
Clay	$8.00-$10.00
Plastic	$4.00-$6.00
Rubber	$4.25 to $8.25
Bitumen	$2.50 to $11

Asphalt Shingles Cost

As one of the cheaper roofing options, the average cost for a square of asphalt roof shingles, which is 100 square feet, is $90. This means that, on average, one square foot of asphalt singles costs $0.90. Asphalt is a great choice if you are looking for shingles that are easy to install, repair, and replace.

Metal Shingles Cost

Metal roofs are a very popular option, but different metals vary in price:

Copper

Copper roofing is very durable, lightweight, and happens to be one of the most aesthetically-pleasing options for metal roof shingles. Copper is definitely a more expensive material, as the average cost for a square foot of copper shingles is $14 to $25.

Aluminum

One square foot of aluminum shingles costs an average of $3.15 to $6. Aluminum is a great choice if you live close to the oceans because it’s resistant to corrosion and saltwater damage.

Steel

Steel is a great option if you’re looking for strength and durability. There are a few different types of steel used to make shingles. A Galvalume panel costs around $0.75 to $2.50 per square foot. Galvanized steel costs about $3.35 to $4.25 per square foot. Stainless steel shingles cost $10 to $16 per square foot.

Tin

While it may not be the most popular form of metal roofing, tin is very durable and highly resistant to corrosion. The average cost for a square foot of tin shingles can range from $3.50 to $14.

Plastic Shingles Cost

The average cost for a square foot of plastic shingles can range from $4 to $6. Plastic is a great option if you are looking for a material that is easy to install and resistant to hail, wind, fire, and extreme temperature changes.

Rubber Shingles Cost

The average cost for a square foot of plastic shingles can range from $4.25 to $8.25. Rubber shingles are stronger and less likely to crack during extreme weather. They are also extremely useful for low-pitch roofs that other shingles cannot protect because of a lack of gravitational pull.

Composite Shingles Cost

The average cost for a square foot of composite shingles is $4. These shingles are very versatile and can be put on homes of any size or shape.

Slate Shingles Cost

The average cost for a square foot of slate shingles ranges from $6.90 to $12.50. Slate is attractive for homeowners looking for a heat and water resistant roof.

Solar Shingles Cost

The average cost for a square foot of composite shingles is $22. By putting solar shingles on your roof, you can reduce your environmental footprint and save on energy bills.

Bitumen Shingles Cost

The average cost for a square foot of bitumen shingles ranges from $2.50 to $11.

Wood Shingles Cost

Cedar

Cedar is great for conserving heat and provides a cooling effect when temperatures rise. Cedar shingles also resist strong wides, snow, rain, and other severe weather. The average cost for a square foot of bitumen shingles ranges from $4.10 to $7.50.

Teak

The average cost for a square foot of teak shingles is $1 to $1.50. Teak shingles are highly resistant to mildew, fungi, and rot.

Wallaba

Wallaba is naturally waterproof and resists insect infestation, decay, and fire. The average cost for a square foot of wallaba shingles ranges from $4 to $16. It is also a highly sustainable wood that doesn’t require chemical treatments.

Clay Shingles Cost

The average cost for a square foot of clay shingles ranges from $10 to $18.

Roof Shingles Price Breakdown by Style

3 Tab Shingles (Strip Style)

Three-tab shingles will cost you about $1 per square foot or $30 per bundle. They feature three different cutouts on the bottom of the shingle, creating the appearance of three separate pieces.

Architectural Shingles

Architectural shingles cost around $1 to $1.50 per square foot or $30 to $50 per bundle. These shingles have an extra layer of lamination, creating a couture look and a more sculpted appearance. Architectural shingles are also more durable than other types.

Shake Style Shingles

Shake shingles cost an average of $4.80 per square foot of $160 per bundle. These shingles have a rustic look and strong character, but they must be maintained to avoid rotting. They are also very good at conserving heat in the winter and cooling your home in the summer.

Victorian Style Roof Shingles

Victorian style shingles cost around $10 per square foot. These shingles offer a traditional and historic design.

Rustic Cedar Shingles

Rustic cedar shingles can cost between $4.10 and $7.50 per square foot. In addition to having a lifespan of more than 30 years, these shingles have excellent noise reduction properties.

Cottage Style Shingles

Cottage style shingles cost between $4 and $6 per square foot. This type of shingles is down to be very durable.

Spanish Style Roofing Shingles

Spanish style shingles can cost $8 to $10 per square foot. These shingles have a wave-like pattern and are ideal for areas with heavy rain.

Architectural vs. 3 Tab Shingles

These two types of shingles are both made from asphalt but have very different appearances. 3 tab shingles are flat and have a single tab shape and size. Architectural shingles, on the other hand, are referred to as dimensional shingles because they provide a more dimensional look to the roof.

Architectural shingles are also considered to have a longer lifespan than 3 tab shingles. This is because architectural shingles are more resistant to extreme weather conditions.  On average, architectural shingles last for up to 30 years and 3 tab shingles last about 7 to 10 years in bad weather conditions and 12 to 15 in good weather conditions.

Roof Shingling Installation Cost

Roofing Labor Costs

Roofing labor costs about $1.50 to $3 per square foot, depending on the style, pitch, and accessibility of the roof. This can come out to around 60 percent of the total roof cost. Installation fees can also depend on the product you’re installing, the home’s structural integrity, and the amount of old or existing shingles that need to be replaced. When giving you an estimate, roofers usually quote you on a “per square” basis, which refers to 100 square feet.

Roof Replacement Costs

While a roof replacement may cost around $15,000–$70,000, make sure to check your area to find the best deal for you. Your roof cost will be high if you decide to install a new roof, so ask for a quotation and its full breakdown so that you can compare prices. The cost of replacing a roof is highly dependent on whether or not you are replacing the whole roof, the material used, and damage and repair fees.

Reshingle Costs

It can cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to reshingle your roof, depending on the roofing materials used for reshingling your home. When reshingling, you may need to pay to remove and dispose of old shingles and underlayment. Sometimes, you can leave existing shingles and install new shingles on top, which may reduce your cost.

Factors that Influence Roof Shingles Price

Material of Shingles

The price of your shingles varies greatly according to the roofing materials used. As mentioned above, some materials are far more expensive and high-end than others. The price of materials is also influenced by the brand of shingles that you choose to use.

Labor

The cost of labor is a major factor influencing the total price of reshingling your roof. Labor can vary in price depending on the accessibility of your house, your location relative to nearby roofing companies, and the level of professionalism and experience that you expect from your roofers.

Removal and Disposal of Old Roof

It can cost a significant amount of money to remove and dispose of old shingles. If your old shingles are hard to remove, this can certainly drive up the total price of reshingling.

Height and Pitch

The height and pitch of your roof can increase the number of shingles needed to cover your roof. Consequently, these are important factors that influence your overall cost.

Warranty Length

Having a warranty on your shingles will no doubt bring down the total cost of your reshingling project. But not all shingles come with a warranty, so make sure to check when you make your purchase.

Additional Costs

Roofing Sealant

Roofing sealant is used to glue shingles to your roof. They can vary in price and thus influence your project’s total cost.

Recycled Shingles

Recycled shingles are an option that can drive down the cost of your total project. However, it may not always be easy to find recycled shingles nearby or in your preferred color and style.

Repair vs. Replacement

It is not terribly hard or expensive to replace damaged shingles. They can be removed, and new ones can be slipped into place rather easily. But repairing or partially reshingling your roof can be more expensive on a cost per square basis than a full roof replacement. Repairing can also cause problems when your roof has multiple layers of shingles, which requires you to remove and replace all layers, including the underlayment.

As a result, you may have some sections of your roof that are slightly higher than others. If you plan to sell your house in the near future, you may want to consider replacing all your shingles as a roof with mismatched shingles is unattractive and will not increase your curb appeal for prospective buyers. Ultimately, installing a new roof might be your best option.

Weight and Bundles of Shingles

How Many Square Feet in a Bundle of Shingles?

A bundle of shingles is 33.3 square feet.

Cost Per Bundle

A bundle costs $30 to $35 on average, but this can vary with the roofing material used.

DIY vs. Professional Shingle Roofing Company

Although you may want to embark on a DIY home improvement and feel like you can reshingle your roof without the help of a professional, you should consider these factors before launching your own DIY project:

Professional knowledge and experience

Professional roofers have significant knowledge and experience that most homeowners do not possess. In the United States, professional roofers must generally be certified by the state and a trade association before they can work on your roof.  These factors should not be underestimated when deciding whether or not to hire a professional. A trained roofing contractor is less likely to mistakenly tear off the wrong roof pieces, will know building codes, and might even spot an additional problem with your roof that you would have never seen or known how to fix.

Limited Warranties

Professional roofers usually provide you with at least two types of warranties: one from the roofer for labor and one from the materials manufacturer for product defects. You won’t have access to the roofer’s warranty if you go the DIY route.

Liability

If you decide to replace your shingles by yourself, your home insurance is not likely to cover any damage that you do to your roof. Professional roofers, on the other hand, are both less likely to make mistakes and are most often covered by some form of insurance.

Costs and Tools

DIY roofing may actually cost you more than hiring a professional when you factor in the cost of tools associated with reshingling your roof. Some tools and additional costs that a professional may be able to cover include ladders, safety harnesses, and helmets. Professional roofers can also buy shingles in bulk, which further reduces the cost.

Safety

This goes without saying, but if you don’t have experience working on roofs, then you may want to reconsider a DIY roofing project. A professional roofer knows how to conduct themselves safely while working, which you may not know how to do.

Time

It will likely take professional roofers far less time to fix your roof than it would if you tried yourself.

Key Takeaways

We hope you’ve found this guide helpful. If you only take one thing away from this article, let it be this: reshingling your roof can be a significant undertaking that varies in price depending on the material costs, the type of roof, and whether or not you hire a professional. Overall, it makes sense to hire a trusted professional who can get the job done safely and effectively at a reasonable price.

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