Get an instant, accurate estimate for your roof replacement project
The calculator above estimates cost by home size and material — the two biggest drivers of any roof bid. These are realistic 2026 U.S. installed ranges per square foot of roof area (roofing is quoted in “squares,” where 1 square = 100 sq ft):
A typical 1,700 sq ft single-story home (about 20 squares of roof) runs $8,000–$15,000 for architectural shingles in 2026, including tear-off.
The estimate covers tear-off, underlayment, flashing, and new shingles — the core of any replacement bid. Real bids add three things the calculator can’t see: roof decking replacement ($400–$1,500 when rotted plywood is found), ventilation upgrades (ridge vents $300–$800), and regional labor rates. A steep roof (9/12 pitch or higher) adds 15–50% to labor. Use the calculator for a baseline, then add 10–20% for the surprises every roofer finds once the old shingles are off.
Size is the obvious driver, but three other factors matter as much. Material: asphalt is $4.50–7.50/sq ft installed, metal $10–18, tile $10–20, slate $20–40 — a 20-square roof spans $9,000 to $40,000+ on material alone. Complexity: every valley, chimney, skylight, and dormer adds flashing work at $200–$600 each — a roofline full of penetrations can add $2,000–$5,000 to the same-size roof. Pitch: steep roofs require safety equipment and slower work, adding 15–50% to labor.
Where you live moves the bid by 20–40%. Texas and Oklahoma run $4.50–6.50/sq ft for asphalt (high competition, storm-chaser volume). The Northeast runs $6–9, and the West Coast $7–10 — labor rates of $50–$70/hour in the South versus $80–$110/hour in metros like Boston and San Francisco drive the gap. Storm-prone states (Texas, Oklahoma, the Southeast, Colorado hailstorms) see the most frequent replacements — and the most insurance-driven pricing.
Roofing is the one home improvement where DIY is almost never the right call: falls from roofs are a leading cause of serious home-improvement injuries, steep-pitch work requires harness systems, and a botched installation voids material warranties and leaks into your walls. The labor you save ($5,000–$8,000 on a typical roof) is dwarfed by the risk. If you insist, work only on low-pitch roofs, use a harness, and have the work inspected — but the honest advice is to hire a licensed, insured crew.
Start with the calculator to get a baseline for your home size and material, then read the guides below for the decisions that matter most: material comparison (asphalt vs. metal is the big 30-year question), tear-off vs. overlay, pitch, and regional pricing. Every guide on this site uses the same 2026 pricing basis, so the numbers stay consistent as you dig deeper. When you are ready to act, take your calculator total to three local roofing contractors and ask for itemized bids — per-square price, tear-off, flashing, ventilation, and decking allowance — then compare line items, not totals. If a storm caused the damage, talk to your insurer before signing anything; insurance-covered scopes change the whole math.