Investing in a new roof has many benefits, such as helping protect your house from the elements, energy bill savings, increased curb appeal, and an overall increase in home value. However, a new roof replacement is also not what someone would exactly label as “cheap,” nor is it something that a homeowner would want to be done cheaply. So what does a roof replacement cost? The answer to this question can vary in a big way! Many factors are at play when properly quoting a new roof replacement. Below we will cover what these are. Roof Size This has one of the most significant impacts on the cost of a roof replacement and can almost go without saying. However, the more nuanced point to speak about here is roof square footage. Roof Square Footage The home’s square footage often featured in home listings or appraisals, is not the roof square footage. The home square footage is the sum of all gross living areas. In contrast, the roof square footage includes all covered living spaces. Garages, walkways, overhangs, lanais, and front entryways are all home areas included in the roof square footage. Roofing Squares For many homeowners going through this process for the first time, they may be unaware of the definition of a “square” when talking to a roofing contractor. A square is an area that equals 100 square feet and a 10’ x 10’ area. Take the total roof area and divide it by 100 to figure out the number of squares needed for a project. So if you have a 3000 square foot area, divide 3000/100=30. Your roofing project would require 30 squares of shingles, tiles, or metal seams. This brings us to the next major cost factor. Roofing Materials The roofing material selected can make a massive difference in the price of a new roof. In Delray Beach, the primary choices are between asphalt shingles, concrete or clay tiles, and metal. However, even within each of those three categories, there can be pretty significant price differences. For example, 3-tab shingle is cheaper than opting for architectural shingles. But almost any kind of tile is far more expensive than architectural shingles, then to take it further, depending on the metal, using a metal roof can cost a lot more than tile. Roof Slope Sparing you the junior high math class lesson about figuring out the slope of your roof, the slope does play a significant factor in price. In general, a deeply sloped roof will add cost to the project. For one, it’s a safety issue; special equipment may need to be brought in so that workers can do their job safely. Waste There is typically around 10-15% of the total roof square footage added to account for the waste factor in the roofing industry. The waste factor comprises materials overlapping valleys, hips, and cut-off materials around flashings, penetrations, and gable ends. Condition of Existing Roof Even if a full roof replacement is needed, the roof and surrounding structure could play a part in the end cost of the new roof. A hole in the roof may have compromised much of the underlying wood structure, requiring additional labor and materials. There are other considerations, too, like the area you’re living in, permitting changes from area to area. Inspections are also handled differently. In some places, the inspection takes place as the installation progresses, which adds time and cost to the project. At the end of the day, there are quite a few factors at play in determining how much a new roof replacement will cost. The final decision of which roofing contractor you select should only in part be based on price. The quality of the work is paramount when getting a new roof installed. This is because the vast majority of new roofs needed are a direct result of a roof not lasting as long as it should due to a subpar installation, to begin with!