Estimate a roof replacement by roof area, material, pitch and the number of old layers to tear off.
Quick answer: 1,700 sq ft of roof at a typical $6.50 per square foot comes to about $11,050 of roof work. Tear-off and disposal adds roughly $900 and a permit about $350, so a 12% contingency puts the planning figure near $13,800. Try another material or pitch to see the spread.
sq ft of roof
A 1,500 sq ft home usually has 1,600–2,000 sq ft of roof
$/sq
Typical U.S. range: $4–$14 per sq ft
$
$
%
Estimated total
$13,776
1,700 sq ft of roof at $7
Cost per sq
$8
Total divided by quantity
Cost breakdown
Materials (60% of base)$6,630
Labour (40% of base)$4,420
Tear-off & disposal$900
Permits & fees$350
Contingency (12%)$1,476
Estimated total$13,776
Plausible planning band: $11,301 to $16,870 — roughly ±20% around your unit price, before any regional or seasonal swing.
This is a planning estimate built from the unit price you enter. Real quotes depend on your region, season, site access and the contractor — get at least three.
Core facts
Typical U.S. range
$4–$14 per sq ft of roof
Typical roof area
1,600–2,000 sq ft for a 1,500 sq ft home
Cost split
About 40% labor, 60% materials
Often forgotten
Tear-off, decking repairs and ventilation
What is Roof Replacement Cost Calculator?
Roof replacement is priced by roof area, not floor area, and the two are different numbers. A 1,500 square foot single-storey home usually has 1,600 to 2,000 square feet of roof once you account for pitch and overhangs. This calculator multiplies your roof area by an installed price per square foot, then adds tear-off and disposal, a permit and a contingency. Material choice is the largest single variable: asphalt shingles sit at the low end, while metal, tile and flat membrane systems cost several times more. Pitch and the number of old layers change labor as well, since steep roofs take longer to work on and extra layers mean more tear-off and disposal.
Common uses for Roof Replacement Cost Calculator
Budget a full roof replacement before you call roofing companies
Compare asphalt, metal and tile for the same roof area
See how much tear-off and a steep pitch add to the job
Decide whether a repair or a replacement makes more sense
Roof area is not floor area
The most common estimating error is using the home's square footage as the roof area. A pitched roof has more surface than the footprint beneath it, and overhangs add more. A 1,500 square foot home often carries 1,600 to 2,000 square feet of roof, and a steep or complicated roof can exceed that. Measure the actual planes, or ask a roofer to confirm, before you lock a budget.
What the price per square foot leaves out
Installed rates usually cover the roofing material, underlayment, flashing, labor and cleanup. They rarely cover rotten decking, new fascia, chimney repointing, skylight replacement or gutter work. On older homes those extras can add a meaningful amount, so keep a contingency even after you have a written quote. Decking repairs are usually billed per sheet of plywood plus labor.
Timing, weather and season
Roofing is weather-dependent work. In cold or wet seasons crews lose days, and some materials cannot be installed below certain temperatures. Late summer and autumn are busy in much of the country, which can mean longer waits and firmer pricing. Scheduling in a slower period sometimes helps, but never let a small leak wait for a convenient season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I work out my roof area?
Measure the footprint of the house and add for overhangs, then allow for pitch, because a pitched roof has more surface than the footprint beneath it. Walking the roof or measuring each plane is more accurate. A 1,500 square foot home typically has 1,600 to 2,000 square feet of roof.
How much does a new roof cost per square foot?
Typical installed figures run from about $4 per square foot for basic asphalt shingles to $14 or more for tile, standing-seam metal or complex flat systems. Access, number of storeys, chimney flashing and how many old layers must come off all move the number.
Can I put new shingles over the old ones?
Sometimes, if the deck is sound and local code allows it, and it saves the tear-off cost. But a second layer hides deck damage, adds weight, shortens the life of the new roof and makes the next replacement more expensive. Many roofers recommend stripping back to the deck.
How long does a roof replacement take?
Most single-family asphalt roofs are finished in one to three days once materials are on site and the weather cooperates. Metal, tile and complex roofs take longer, and steep or multi-plane roofs slower still. Rain, wind and material delivery are the usual causes of delay.
Does the estimate include gutters and ventilation?
No. Gutters, downspouts, ridge vents and attic ventilation are normally separate line items, and replacing a roof is the natural time to deal with them. Add those costs on top of the figure here, and check whether the quote includes new flashing and pipe boots.