Asphalt Shingle Roof Pricing and Cost:An In-depth Guide
Roofing is an essential part of any construction. Asphalt shingles remain one of the most popular roofing materials in the U.S. for their versatility, aesthetic appeal, and affordability. But how much do they really cost, and what factors influence their pricing? This article dives deep into the realm of asphalt shingle roof pricing and cost to help homeowners make informed decisions.
1. Basics of Asphalt Roof Pricing
On average, asphalt shingles can range from $100 to $140 per square. A “square” in roofing terminology is a unit that covers 100 square feet. So, for a typical 2,000 square foot roof, you’d need around 20 squares of shingles, translating to an approximate material cost of $2,000 to $2,800.
2. Factors Influencing Asphalt Shingle Cost
a) Shingle Type: There are primarily three types of asphalt shingles: 3-tab, dimensional (or architectural), and luxury. Each type comes with its own price tag:
- 3-tab shingles are the most affordable, costing between $80 to $100 per square. We do not recommend this type of shingle since the cost that is saved is low while what you give up when comparing to dimensional shingles is high.
- Dimensional shingles are mid-range in terms of pricing, averaging $100 to $140 per square.
- Luxury shingles, designed to replicate natural materials like slate, can cost upwards of $300 per square.
b) Brand and Quality: Established brands known for quality may have higher price points. The additional cost often translates to longer lifespan, better aesthetics, and extended warranties.
c) Geographic Location: Depending on where you live, transportation, labor, and other associated costs can influence the overall price.
d) Installation Costs: Labor can account for a significant chunk of your total roofing cost. On average, labor for installing asphalt shingles can range from $80 to $150 per square, depending on complexity and local labor rates.
3. Additional Costs for Asphalt Shingle roofs
Don’t forget to account for additional materials like underlayment, flashing, ridge capping, ice and water shielding and more. Plus, there might be costs related to removing the old roof. Such as there being multiple layers of shingles currently on your house. In addition to disposing of materials, and acquiring permits with the city you live in. With us, like many other, there are factors such as the steepness of your roof, if the current decking is good or has to be replaced, ease of workability in the area, and more.
4. Cost versus Value
While the initial cost is a concern, it’s also essential to consider the value. Asphalt shingles, especially the dimensional and luxury types, can significantly enhance a home’s curb appeal and resale value. Moreover, a quality roofing job can offer peace of mind against leaks and weather-related damages for years to come.
5. Ways to Save
Bulk Purchasing: If multiple homeowners in a neighborhood are considering re-roofing, bulk purchasing might lead to discounts.
Additional Cost to know
After all cost are added up we then have to add enough on to make a profit and to stay in business. I know some of you will read through this wanting to do the math on your house without knowing what to add. What is listed in the “additional cost” section to get a good way to get an idea of cost. Some of you have probably done just that in the past just to get surprised when getting an actual quote though. And if you are like me and big on numbers, you want to know “What am I missing?”. So to be as transparent as possible without giving exact numbers because every roof is indeed different.
-I will add in what I can to give you an idea from a numbers type of mindset:
*If we don’t cover the basics then we don’t exist (license, insurance, this website.. etc etc).
*X amount of roofs might need something later. We like to guarantee our work and simple put, we don’t live in a perfect world and sometimes even if a job is perfectly right something could have been a “lemon” as far as some of the shingles go and while that might not be on us, it would be something we would have to spend time on to get right.
**Roofing cost in dollars is high. But it is like any other business when it comes to percentages. No decent plumber offering a quality service is going to accept a $1,000 job knowing the most they can potentially profit is $50 (5%) after they calculate materials and labor because they know this is not a perfect world and they know what the average unknowns/risk of a $1k job can cost. However, that same plumber might be more than happy to go into a $150 job knowing they most they can profit is $50. If you know all of the cost of a perticutlar service, keep the above in mind when deciding on who to go with. Because no matter the service, percentage are what they are and any good company knows what percentages they HAVE to meet. If your hiring someone to cut you grass and you decide to go with someone under that percentage then it might not be a big problem. Worst case your grass looks patchy afterwards and you have to find someone else to fix it out of your pocket because they went out of business. Do you want that experience with construction work?
Conclusion
While asphalt shingle pricing can vary based on several factors, they remain a cost-effective solution for many homeowners. By understanding the costs involved it helps to make informed choices. You can ensure that your investment in roofing not only enhances the beauty of your home but also offers lasting protection.