How much does a new roof cost?

Most US homeowners pay roughly $6,000 to $9,000 for a typical 1,700 square foot asphalt shingle roof, with most projects landing between $3.50 and $6.00 per square foot, according to Roofing Calculator. The final number depends on roof size, material, and local labor rates. The rest of this article breaks down each of those factors so you can estimate your own project before anyone climbs a ladder.

Table of Contents

• What does a new roof cost per square foot?
• How much does a new roof cost for a 1,500 to 1,700 square foot house?
• How much does a new roof cost for a 2,200 or 3,000 square foot house?
• How much do different roofing materials cost?
• What drives the final price of a roof replacement?
• Is $30,000 too much for a roof?
• How can you get an accurate estimate for your roof?
• Key Takeaways
• References

What does a new roof cost per square foot?

A new asphalt shingle roof costs an average of $3.50 to $6.00 per square foot installed, according to Roofing Calculator. One roofing square equals 100 square feet, and every written quote is built on that unit. When a contractor says a roof is 17 squares, that means 1,700 square feet of roof surface.

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Labor typically accounts for about 60% of the total cost of a roof replacement, according to Roofing Calculator. The labor portion of a roofing job can also reach up to 60% of the total, according to Cobex Construction Group. Per-square-foot pricing is the fastest way to sanity-check a written estimate, because it lets you compare quotes on the same unit even when the roof measurements differ slightly.

How much does a new roof cost for a 1,500 to 1,700 square foot house?

A typical 1,700 square foot asphalt shingle roof costs between $6,000 and $9,000 to replace, according to Roofing Calculator. Using the same $3.50 to $6.00 per square foot range, a 1,500 square foot roof would run roughly $5,250 to $9,000. The math is simple: multiply the roof square footage by the per-square-foot price.

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Roof footprint is not the same as home square footage. Pitch, overhangs, and attached structures add squares to the actual roof surface, so a 1,500 square foot house can easily have a 1,700 square foot roof. A simple roof on a smaller home sits at the low end of the range, while premium materials push toward the top. A smaller home with a simple roof might cost around $10,000 in a higher-cost market, while a larger home with premium materials could climb to $28,000 or more, according to Cobex Construction Group.

How much does a new roof cost for a 2,200 or 3,000 square foot house?

A 2,200 square foot asphalt shingle roof runs roughly $7,700 to $13,200, and a 3,000 square foot roof runs roughly $10,500 to $18,000, based on the $3.50 to $6.00 per square foot range from Roofing Calculator. Larger roofs also add cost for tear-off, disposal, and more complex flashing details around valleys, chimneys, and dormers.

Material choice matters more than size at this scale. Metal or tile on a 3,000 square foot roof can multiply the bill well beyond the asphalt range. Metal roofing runs $6.00 to $24.50 per square foot, which would put a 3,000 square foot metal roof between $18,000 and $73,500, according to Roofing Calculator. Get the roof measured in squares by a contractor, not estimated from the home's listing square footage.

How much do different roofing materials cost?

Asphalt shingles are the most affordable roofing material. Asphalt shingles cost $3.40 to $5.95 per square foot, or $5,840 to $10,100 total on a 1,700 square foot roof, according to Roofing Calculator. Within asphalt, 3-tab shingles run $3.43 to $4.65 per square foot, architectural shingles run $4.11 to $5.57, and premium architectural shingles run $4.39 to $5.95 with a 50-year lifespan.

Metal roofing costs $6.00 to $24.50 per square foot overall, according to Roofing Calculator. Corrugated aluminum runs $6.03 to $8.15 per square foot, metal shingles run $7.69 to $10.41, and standing seam runs $18.11 to $24.50. Metal roofs often last 40 to 70 years, according to Cobex Construction Group.

Tile roofing costs $6.30 to $12.30 per square foot, with concrete tiles at $6.27 to $8.49 and clay tiles at $9.09 to $12.29, according to Roofing Calculator. Clay tile roofs usually last between 50 and 100 years. Wood shakes and shingles cost $6.00 to $9.15 per square foot. Slate is the most expensive option at $23.49 to $31.77 per square foot, with a lifespan up to 150 years.

What drives the final price of a roof replacement?

Labor is the biggest single cost driver, typically accounting for about 60% of the total bill, according to Roofing Calculator. Local labor rates vary by region and demand. A 2026 Sacramento pricing guide notes that labor costs there run slightly higher than the national average due to demand and cost of living, according to Cobex Construction Group.

Roof size in squares, pitch, number of stories, and complexity all affect labor hours. Valleys, dormers, and chimneys add flashing work and slow the crew down. Tear-off and disposal of old layers add cost, and decking repair adds more if rot is found once the old shingles come off. Material grade within a category matters too, with 3-tab shingles at the low end and premium architectural at the high end. Regional pricing varies widely: full replacements in Sacramento typically run $15,000 to $20,000 in 2026, according to Cobex Construction Group.

Is $30,000 too much for a roof?

Yes, $30,000 is well above typical for a standard asphalt roof on an average home. But that number can be fair for a large home with premium materials like slate or standing seam metal. Slate roofing on a 1,700 square foot roof runs $39,925 to $54,020, according to Roofing Calculator, which shows how fast premium materials reach and pass $30,000.

A $30,000 quote on a modest asphalt roof deserves a second opinion and a line-item breakdown. Ask for the quote split by material, labor, and tear-off so the number is comparable across contractors. In Sacramento, a larger home with premium materials could climb to $28,000 or more, according to Cobex Construction Group, so geography and material grade explain much of the difference.

How can you get an accurate estimate for your roof?

Online calculators get you in the ballpark, but only an on-site inspection confirms squares, decking condition, and tear-off layers. A calculator cannot see water damage under the shingles or measure a steep pitch accurately. The per-square-foot ranges from Roofing Calculator are useful for comparing quotes, but the written estimate should come from a contractor who has walked the roof.

Reliable Roof & Gutter offers free roof inspections and estimates for homeowners in western North Carolina, East Tennessee, and the Grand Strand. The crew explains findings honestly using photos and gives one honest price. Financing through Hearth is available for homeowners weighing a large repair against replacement. Reliable Roof & Gutter handles roof replacement and repair, metal roof installation and repair, roof rejuvenation, and roof cleaning, so a repair-versus-replace answer comes from the same local crew.

Key Takeaways

• A typical 1,700 square foot asphalt shingle roof costs $6,000 to $9,000 to replace.
• Roofing companies charge an average of $3.50 to $6.00 per square foot for asphalt roof replacements.
• One roofing square equals 100 square feet, and labor is typically about 60% of the total cost.
• Asphalt shingles are the most affordable roofing material, while slate is the most expensive at $23.49 to $31.77 per square foot.
• Metal roofs cost $6.00 to $24.50 per square foot and often last 40 to 70 years.
• In Sacramento in 2026, full roof replacements typically run $15,000 to $20,000, with premium jobs reaching $28,000 or more.
• A $30,000 roof quote is high for standard asphalt but can be reasonable for a large home with premium materials.

References

1. Roof Replacement Cost by Location, Roof Type & Material — Roofing Calculator
2. How Much Does a New Roof Cost in Sacramento, CA? (2026 Pricing Guide) — Cobex Construction Group, January 16, 2026