Roofing Cost - Roofing Cost Estimator

Roofing Cost - Roofing Cost Estimator

The two most expensive and important components of a house are the foundation and the roof.

Roofing is measured and estimated by “squares.” A square of roofing is the amount of roofing material required to cover 100 square feet (10 feet X 10 feet). That isn't as "simple" as it sound!

I advise having either your supplier or your roofing contractor do this estimate. They won’t be exact either, but may come a little closer than you will, though you might want to make your own calculations and see how they compare.

NOTE: Below you will find a Roofing Cost Estimator that I find pretty good. At least it gives you a "ballpark" estimate. Be sure to check the right boxes on the calculator that indicate your specific roofing needs.

Shingles are priced according to their quality and have a corresponding guarantee that is offered by the manufacturer. Fifteen-year shingles will be less expensive per square than 20- or 25-year shingles.

It is probably best to go with a better-quality shingle, which will still be more economical than other types of roofing such as cedar shakes or steel panels.

The cost of labor to install will depend upon the subcontractor, the weight of the shingle (more durable shingles are usually heavier and therefore more expensive), and the pitch of the roof (the steeper the pitch, the higher the price for labor).

The most common shingles for roofing are the 245-pound asphalt variety, and an average roof pitch is about 6 inches rise for each foot of horizontal travel (a 6/12 pitch).

A twelve in twelve pitch (12/12) is a steep, 45° angle roof. The steeper the pitch, the more expensive the roof as both labor and material costs increase dramatically. In fact, a 12/12 pitch has exactly twice the roof area covered that a 6/6 pitch roof has, yet they both cover the same square footage of the actual house!

It is a real estate fact of life that the curb appeal of your house and the resale value of your house are enhanced with steeper pitched roofs. Shingle life is increased with a steeper pitch roof too.

To me, the most important component of home design is the roof.

Tip: Chimneys should be built (finished) before the roof area surrounding the chimney is shingled.

This will allow placement of sheet metal flashing around the chimney for waterproofing, and will also avoid damage to the shingles.

Note: While your carpenters are responsible for flashing around doors and windows, your roofing subcontractor is responsible for flashing around any and all roofing junctures. If you get a leak from the roof area, who are you going to call? Certainly not your carpenters. Roofers should guarantee their work.

A prefab fireplace and flue should also be installed at this time.

Roofing, or at least finishing the roofing, follows completion of the chimneys.

Roofing samples, click on any picture to enlarge

Tip: Dormers are not only attractive; they assist in adding inexpensive living space! They may seem expensive to add, but the “trade-off” for that extra space could be worth it.

A steep pitched roof is also required to gain that extra living area.

Another Tip: Roofing is not one of those jobs where you want to save money by doing your own labor.

It is a very dangerous job. I have never met a roofer who hasn't fallen off a roof and been seriously injured. Hire a Professional!

Click here for a very simple, easy to use, Roofing Cost Estimator!

And, below is a source of pre-screened roofing contractors. Always check to be that they are insured. Ask to see their "Certificate of Insurance" and read my information on Subcontractor Insurance.

Click on image for a PDF of a "Certificate of Insurance"

Click Here for Pre-screened Roofing Contractors:

Roofing - Install or Replace Pre-screened contractors