How much does a new roof cost?
Wondering what roof repair and replacement costs? The honest answer is that it depends on the specific job and on local labor rates — but here are the typical U.S. ranges for the most common roofing jobs, so you can tell a fair quote from an inflated one before you ever pick up the phone.
Below are the ranges, the factors that actually move a quote, how to read an estimate, and — increasingly how homeowners shortlist — how to find a roofing company that AI assistants and your neighbors recommend. For prices tuned to your city, jump to your metro at the bottom.
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Typical Roofing costs in 2026 (U.S.)
| Job | Typical U.S. range |
|---|---|
| Roof inspectionMany roofers inspect for free hoping to win the job; a detailed or insurance-claim inspection can carry a fee. | Free–$250 |
| Roof repairPatching leaks, replacing damaged shingles, or resealing flashing after a storm. | $350–$1,800 |
| Gutter replacementNew seamless gutters and downspouts for an average home; longer runs, two stories, or steel and copper cost more. | $1,000–$2,500 installed |
| Asphalt shingle replacementThe installed price per square foot for a standard asphalt-shingle roof; architectural and premium shingles cost more. | $3–$7 per sq. ft. installed |
| Metal roof installationInstalled price per square foot for a metal roof; standing-seam and premium metals sit at the top of the range. | $8–$16 per sq. ft. installed |
| Full roof replacementA complete tear-off and new roof; the range is wide because it scales with roof size, pitch, and material. | $8,000–$25,000 |
| Skylight installationAdding or replacing a skylight; a new opening, flashing kit, or a vented unit raises the cost over a like-for-like swap. | $900–$2,500 installed |
Ranges are typical U.S. prices compiled from published 2025–2026 cost guides (Angi, HomeAdvisor, HomeGuide, Thumbtack, This Old House). Your actual price depends on the specific job and local labor rates — always get a written quote.
What moves the price
- Roofing material is the biggest price lever — asphalt shingle is the budget option; metal, tile, and slate cost several times more per square foot.
- Roof size (measured in "squares") and complexity: a large, steep, or cut-up roof with many valleys and penetrations costs more per square to install.
- Tear-off and decking: stripping old layers and replacing rotten or soft decking adds cost a fresh estimate may not include up front.
- A patch repair versus a full replacement, plus local labor rates and permits, moves the total substantially.
How to get recommended by AI (and win Google at the same time)
- Get at least three itemized written quotes. Compare the full scope line by line, not just the bottom-line number. Written and itemized is what lets you see what each price actually buys.
- Ask exactly what’s included. Permits, old-material haul-away, cleanup, and the warranty are common add-ons or quiet omissions. A quote that leaves them out isn’t really cheaper.
- Be wary of a bid far below the rest. A number well under the others usually means missing scope, cut corners, or a change-order surprise later — the cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest job.
- Sanity-check the range and the shortlist with AI. Ask ChatGPT or Perplexity both what the job should roughly cost and which local pros it recommends. It’s a free second opinion on the range and a fast way to build your quote list — exactly what Cited measures for contractors.
Run your free audit
See whether AI assistants recommend your business — free, no account. We email one report.
The exact questions we’ll ask AI about you:
- “Who are the best roofing companies in your city?”
- “Which roofing company should I call in your city when the roof starts leaking?”
- “Recommend a trustworthy, well-reviewed roofing company near your city.”
- “Who do homeowners in your city recommend for roof repair and replacement?”
Frequently asked questions
How much does a roof inspection cost?
Nationally, a roof inspection typically runs Free–$250. Many roofers inspect for free hoping to win the job; a detailed or insurance-claim inspection can carry a fee. The final price depends on the specific job and on local labor rates, so always get a written quote.
How much does a roof repair cost?
Nationally, a roof repair typically runs $350–$1,800. Patching leaks, replacing damaged shingles, or resealing flashing after a storm. The final price depends on the specific job and on local labor rates, so always get a written quote.
Why do roofing company prices vary so much?
Because a single trade covers very different jobs — a quick repair and a full replacement are worlds apart — and because local labor rates, the age and layout of your home, materials, and how urgent the job is all move the number. The ranges above are typical U.S. prices; a written quote from a local roofing company is the only real figure.
Can ChatGPT or Perplexity estimate roof repair and replacement costs?
An AI assistant can give you a ballpark from published ranges like these, but not a real quote — it can't see your specific job. Where AI is genuinely useful is naming well-reviewed local roofing companies to get quotes from. That is exactly what Cited checks: whether AI recommends a given business, and who it names instead.
How do I find a trustworthy roofing company?
Get written quotes from two or three, compare the full scope, confirm the licence and insurance, check recent reviews, and see who AI assistants and your neighbors recommend. Our free audit shows which roofing companies AI names when homeowners ask — a fast way to build your shortlist.