Illustration of a house with new roof shingles being installed under a protection shield
Original illustration — ServiCover
📌 Key Takeaway: A full roof replacement averages around $10,000 nationally, with most homeowners paying $4.25-$12.25 per square foot for asphalt shingles. Labor makes up roughly 60% of the bill, and tear-off of the old roof adds $1,000-$5,000 — so getting at least three itemized quotes matters more here than almost any other home project.

How Roofing Contractors Differ

Unlike pest control or home security, roofing has no dominant national service brand — the work is done by local contractors. What separates them is manufacturer certification: the big shingle makers certify a small share of installers, and only certified installers can offer their strongest system warranties.

GAF-Certified Contractors (Master Elite®)
Share of roofers: ~2% hold Master Elite  |  Top warranty: Golden Pledge®
GAF is North America's largest shingle manufacturer. Master Elite contractors can offer the Golden Pledge warranty, which pairs long non-prorated material coverage with workmanship coverage backed by the manufacturer rather than just the local contractor.
Owens Corning Preferred & Platinum Contractors
Tiers: Preferred → Platinum  |  Top warranty: Platinum Protection
Owens Corning's contractor network is independently owned and locally operated. Platinum-level contractors can offer system warranties covering the full roofing system (shingles, underlayment, ventilation) rather than shingles alone.
CertainTeed Credentialed Contractors (SELECT ShingleMaster™)
Top tier: SELECT ShingleMaster  |  Top warranty: SureStart PLUS
CertainTeed requires training and credentialing for its top tier, which unlocks extended non-prorated coverage and workmanship protection on qualifying installs.
Independent Local Roofers
Best for: Repairs, small jobs, metal/tile specialists  |  Watch for: Workmanship warranty length
Many excellent roofers aren't certified by any single manufacturer — especially metal, tile and slate specialists. Judge them on license, insurance, local references and a written workmanship warranty of at least 5-10 years.

2026 Roof Cost Snapshot

MaterialInstalled Cost / sq ftTypical Lifespan
Asphalt (3-tab & architectural)$4.25-$12.2520-30 years
Wood shake$6-$1320-25 years
Composite / synthetic$8-$1430-50 years
Metal (standing seam & panels)$10-$3540-80 years
Clay tile$12-$2550-100 years
Slate$12-$3060-150 years

Costs by Roof Size

Roof AreaTypical Total Range
1,000 sq ft$2,250-$8,000
1,500 sq ft$3,375-$13,500
2,000 sq ft$4,500-$18,000
3,000 sq ft$6,800-$24,000

Roof area is not the same as your home's floor area — pitch, overhangs, dormers and garages all add surface. Roofers price in "squares" (100 sq ft each), so a 2,000 sq ft home often has 22-30 squares of roof.

Hidden Line Items to Ask About

  • Tear-off and disposal — $1,000-$5,000 depending on layers. Some quotes exclude it.
  • Decking replacement — rotted plywood is priced per sheet and only discovered after tear-off. Ask for the per-sheet price in writing up front.
  • Permits and inspection — permits typically run $250-$500; a pre-job inspection averages around $200-$235.
  • Flashing, vents and chimney work — $150-$1,000 in typical repairs, often bundled into replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a GAF or Owens Corning certified roofer always better?

Not always — certification proves training and business standards, and unlocks stronger manufacturer warranties, but it doesn't guarantee workmanship on your job. Still check reviews, license, insurance and references.

How long does a roof replacement take?

Most asphalt roofs on a typical single-family home are torn off and replaced in 1-3 days. Metal, tile and slate take longer, and weather delays are common.

Can I put a new roof over my old one?

Some codes allow one overlay layer of asphalt, but most roofers advise a full tear-off: it exposes rotted decking, and many manufacturer warranties require it.