Roof repairs are a bane that every homeowner experiences at some time in their lives. In addition to dealing with the damage and hiring a roofing contractor, you’ll also need to calculate and set aside a budget. This part can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time repairing a roof.
You’ll need to consider the extent of the damage, the average labor wages in your area, the
current price of your roofing materials, and more. And that’s where we come in to help!
We’ll give you all the information you need in this guide, from how much to repair a roof to the amount of money you’ll need if you opt for a complete roof replacement.
You can also request a free estimate through our website today!
Factors That’ll Affect Your Roof Repair Costs
To calculate your budget accurately, you need to consider all the factors that will affect your roof repair costs, including the type of damage, the roofing materials, and more.
Type of the Damage
The type of roof damage significantly affects the price you’ll pay, considering it ranges from minor and moderate to major.
Minor Repairs
Minor roof repairs include small problems that have easy and fast solutions. The most famous examples are fixing water leaks, patching or replacing broken shingles, cleaning gutters, or filling cracks. Here’s how much each of these will cost you:
- Water leaks: $300-$1,500, depending on the extent of the damage
- Replacing shingles: $4-$40 per square foot, depending on the shingle material
- Cleaning gutters: $70-$400, depending on how many stories your house has
- Filling cracks: $100-$1,000, depending on the number and size of cracks
Moderate Repairs
Moderate roof repairs include more severe problems, like fixing the roof flashing, decking, or vents. Here’s the average cost of each repair:
- Fixing or replacing flashing: $200-$2,000, depending on the extent of the damage
- Replacing roof deck: $2-$5 per square foot
- Replacing vents: $200-$700, depending on the number and size of vents
Major Repairs
Major repairs are the most drastic of the three types, so naturally, they cost more money. Common examples are roof truss repair, sagging roof repair, and complete chimney rebuild.
- Repairing trusses: $90-$500 per truss, depending on their sizes
- Repairing a sagging roof: $800-$8,000, depending on the extent of the sagging
- Rebuilding a chimney: $8,000-$10,000
Roofing Material
Roofing materials come in a wide range of prices, so they’ll have a significant impact on how much you’ll pay for repairs (if the repair involves replacing your roofing material). Generally, asphalt shingle roofs are the most affordable, while slate roofs are the most expensive.
Here are the most common roofing materials and their average prices.
Asphalt
Asphalt shingles cost an average of $4-$10 per square foot, which is on the budget-friendly side of the market compared to other materials.
They come in two types: three-tab shingles and architectural shingles. The former are more affordable and common among homeowners. Meanwhile, architectural asphalt shingles come at a higher price but are stronger and more durable.
Wood
Wood roofs cost a bit more than asphalt, with an average of $7-$15 per square foot. The difference in price is due to the extra chemical treatments wood roofs get to improve their resistance to water damage and fire. Also, if maintained properly, wood can last as long as a decade longer than asphalt.
Metal
Metal roofs are more durable and resistant to harsh conditions than wood, so they come at a higher price. The average cost of metal shingles is $10-$30, depending on the metal you choose. You can get aluminum, copper, or zinc, with aluminum being the most affordable.
Clay
Clay roofs are among the most aesthetically appealing choices on the market, and they can stay for up to 100 years with proper care. Luckily, clay shingles come at mid-range prices. You should expect to pay between $8 and $25 per square foot.
Slate
Slate is on the pricier side of the market, but for good reason. It’s one of the most durable materials, with an average lifespan of over 100 years. However, this privilege doesn’t come without a price, as the average cost of a slate roof is $12-$25 per square foot.
Solar
Solar roofs double as energy sources and conventional roofs, and they’re one of the most eco-friendly choices on the market. They come at remarkably high prices that average $25-$30 per square foot. But it’s understandable, considering they power your home and drastically lower your electricity bills.
Roof Size and Slope
Your roof repair cost will largely depend on its size. Naturally, the bigger your roof, the more you’ll pay. This is because you’ll have to buy more materials, and the roofing contractors will have to work for a longer time.
The same goes for your roof slope. The higher it is, the more expensive your repair costs will be because the contractors will have a more challenging time fixing it. They’ll need to use extra safety equipment to prevent accidents and injuries. Also, sloped roofs require more materials than flat roofs, which cost more money.
We can’t put a specific price on both features because it depends on whether your roof falls within the standard size and slope ranges or not. For an accurate price range, you should hire a professional roofing contractor for a thorough roof inspection.
Roof Design
Roofs come in many shapes and designs, and some are more complex than others. As a rule of thumb, complex roof designs come with higher repair costs because the roofing contractor will have more obstacles to overcome.
For example, if your roof has multiple levels, the contractor might need to install scaffolds for the duration of the repairs for more safety. Also, if your roof has more edges than average, the contractor will have to cut the materials in a specific way to fit into all the corners. These features make your roof repairs more physically demanding and, thus, more expensive.
The Need for a Full Roof Replacement
If your roof only needs minor repairs that can be fixed without a lot of hassle, it’s your lucky day. The average cost of roof repair is much lower than that of replacement.
However, some damages call for a complete replacement, like an extensive roof leak, sagging roof, wear and tear because of age, and more. Unfortunately, replacing an entire roof can be expensive.
The rough average of a full roof replacement is $5,000-$50,000, but the number may vary slightly due to many factors.
Average Labor Wages
Roofing contractors either take their pay by hour or square foot, and their average wage might differ according to where you live. For example, populous states like New York and Washington have higher salaries than less crowded ones.
The average hourly wage of contractors can be anywhere from $20 to $70, while the wage per square foot is about $4 to $8. Despite the wide ranges, you still might hear different numbers depending on your roof pitch, size, material, general condition, and more.
Repair Permits
Some major roof repairs require permits before the contractors can start working, especially if the size of the damage is huge. However, permit prices vary according to state.
Any professional and licensed contractor will be able to tell you what permits you’ll need and how much you’ll pay for them.
Extra Roofing Features
Having extra features atop your roof will add to its repair costs. Common examples are skylights, chimneys, and dormers.
Skylights cost an average of $1,500 to install and $200 to repair. Meanwhile, chimneys are much more expensive, with an average installation cost of $5,000 and a repair cost of $500.
Dormers come with the highest price tags, as they cost about $12,000-$20,000 to install and $2,000-$7,000 to repair.
Does Your Roof Need to Be Replaced or Repaired?
You can figure out whether your roof needs to be replaced or repaired by checking the damage signs all over it. Minor repairs don’t often call for a full replacement, but we can’t say the same for major ones.
Here’s a list of signs your roof only needs to be repaired and not replaced:
- Small water leaks: A small roof leak can be repaired by using a patching material over the crack causing it. And the earlier it’s caught, the less likely it is to require a full replacement.
- Tiny cracks or blisters: Differences in weather temperature can make your roofing material contract and expand, which sometimes causes cracks or blisters. If they’re small enough, your contractor can seal them using specific materials.
- Missing shingles: If your roof has one or two missing shingles due to storm damage or fallen objects, it’s fine to replace them alone. However, if many shingles are gone, you might need a full replacement due to faulty installation or weakened adhesive.
If you have more serious issues than the ones mentioned above, you’re more likely to need a full replacement. Here are a few signs that your current roof’s time is up:
- Sagging: A sagging roof is often a sign of extensive structural damage, which is expensive to fix and, most of the time leads to full replacement.
- Granules in the gutters: Some roof materials require a layer of granules for protection against the sun. If these granules keep going loose and accumulating in your gutters, there’s a high chance you have curling or warped shingles, which call for replacement.
- Age: If your roof has recently passed its average lifespan and is showing multiple signs of wear and tear, you might need to install an entirely new one.
Note that a visual inspection by a professional roofing company is a must to detect these damages and fix them before it’s too late.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Average Price of an Emergency Roof Repair Due to Storm Damage?
Emergency roof repairs due to storm damage can cost you anywhere from $200 to $10,000. If the damage is a result of a small fallen object and is confined, you’ll pay somewhere near the lower range. However, you should expect to pay more if the damage is extensive and involves peeling or sagging.
What Is the Most Durable Roofing Material?
The most durable roofing material on the market is slate, as it can stand the test of time for longer than 100 years if maintained properly. However, it’s also exceedingly heavy, so it isn’t suitable for all types of houses.
How Can I Extend the Lifespan of My Roof?
There are a few ways you can extend your roof’s lifespan, including the following:
- Hire professional roof cleaning services once a year
- Do regular visual inspections of your roof to detect any damage early
- Clean your gutters regularly to avoid water damage and extra weight
- Trim any tree branches touching your roof to avoid storm and water damage
- Remove ice dams regularly if you live in a cold region
To Wrap Up
The average cost of repairing your roof depends on multiple factors, including its material, size, slope, design, and extra features. However, the earlier you catch the damage, the smaller it’ll be, so the less you’ll pay. This is your reminder to book your annual roof inspection to ensure all is well!
If you need professional roofing help, check out the services we offer here and get in touch with us now!
