ROOFING
How Much Does a New Roof Cost? A Contractor’s Estimating Guide
Estimate the material and labor cost of a new asphalt shingle roof with a practical square-by-square breakdown and the free roofing calculator.
Roof prices are driven mostly by the size of the roof, the material you choose and the labor in your area. This guide breaks the estimate into measurable parts — squares, bundles and waste — so you can build a defensible price instead of guessing. You will also find the roofing calculator embedded below.
What drives the price of a roof
The biggest single factor is the roof area: the more squares, the more material and labor. Beyond size, the slope, the number of layers being torn off, the material grade, flashing and penetrations all push the price up or down.
- Roof size in squares (100 sq ft each)
- Roof pitch and number of stories
- Material type and grade
- Number of existing layers to remove
- Chimneys, skylights and valleys
- Local labor rates and season
Roofs are measured in squares and bundles
Roofers measure in squares: one square equals 100 square feet. Shingles are sold in bundles, and a standard asphalt roof needs roughly three bundles to cover one square.
To estimate material you convert your roof area into squares, multiply by the bundles per square, and add a waste allowance for cuts at edges, hips and valleys. A 10% waste factor is a common starting point.
Factor in labor and the rest of the job
Shingles are only part of the price. A complete roof replacement also includes tear-off of the old layers, underlayment, flashing, drip edge, ventilation boots, disposal and the crew’s labor.
- Labor to strip and install
- Underlayment and ice-and-water shield
- Flashing around penetrations and valleys
- Ventilation caps and drip edge
- Hauling and disposal of old material
A realistic starting range
Material cost varies with the grade of shingle you price. For planning, compare your material total from the calculator with local quotes for labor and the extras above, then add your overhead and profit using the estimate formula.
Because codes, seasons and markets differ so much, the most reliable number comes from building your own cost with the calculator and your local prices — not from a one-size-fits-all figure.