Understanding your result
The headline is the price per square, with the per-square-foot figure and where it sits in the range. The stats give the per square foot and the survey low and high; the bars put the quote between them. The breakdown shows the arithmetic and the range used.
If the quote sits outside the range, rebuild it: the replacement cost calculator applies pitch, storeys and region; the labor calculator checks the labor line; the shingle calculator checks the squares. Roofers can build their own with the estimate builder.
How we calculate this
Quotes more than 10 percent outside the range are flagged; inside it, the position from low to high is shown. The pricing guide lists the surveys and their years.
The assumptions behind the numbers
| Assumption | Default | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Installed price per square | by material, as in the replacement cost calculator | 2025 published cost surveys (HomeGuide, Fixr, Angi) |
| Tear-off | $100–$200 per square per layer | 2025 surveys |
| Flag threshold | 10% outside the range | A judgement, to allow for rounding in the surveys |
Assumptions last reviewed October 7, 2026.
The calculator does not adjust the range for pitch, storeys or region; a steep or urban job can legitimately sit above it. The estimate guide explains the lines a complete quote contains.
Two worked examples
An architectural shingle quote
$18,500 for 24 squares with one layer off.
- Per square: 18,500 ÷ 24 = $771; $7.71 per sq ft
- Range: $550 to $1,000; within it, 49% of the way up
A metal quote with gutters included
$31,000 for 28 squares of exposed-fastener metal with tear-off, including $2,400 of gutters.
- Roof work: $28,600; per square $1,021
- Range: $900 to $1,700; within it, 15% of the way up
Where to find your inputs
Quote and squares. On the quote; ask for the squares if they are missing.
Extras. Line items that are not roofing.
Material and layers. From the quote.
Common mistakes
- Dividing by the floor area. Use roof squares.
- Comparing with and without tear-off. Tick it when the quote includes it.
- Leaving gutters in. Take extras out first.
- Waste squares vs bare squares. Compare on the same basis.
- Picking the cheapest without the scope. Line items first.
- Ignoring the region. Cities run above national ranges.
Questions people ask
- How do I work out cost per square from a quote?
- Take out anything that is not the roof itself (gutters, skylights, chimney work), then divide by the squares the quote covers. An $18,500 quote for 24 squares of architectural shingles with tear-off is $771 per square, $7.71 per square foot.
- What is a normal price per square?
- Published 2025 survey ranges, installed and before tear-off: architectural asphalt $450 to $800, three-tab $350 to $550, exposed-fastener metal $800 to $1,500, standing seam $1,200 to $2,500, concrete tile $1,000 to $2,000. Add $100 to $200 per square for each layer torn off.
- Which squares should I divide by?
- The squares on the quote. Most roofers quote squares with waste included, which makes the per-square price look lower than dividing by the bare roof area would. Ask which they used, and compare quotes on the same basis.
- Is a cheap quote a good deal?
- Sometimes; more often something is missing. Check that the quote includes ice barrier where required, new drip edge and flashing, ventilation, disposal and permits, and how decking repairs are priced. The estimate guide lists the items.
- Why is my quote above the range?
- Steep pitch, two or more storeys, a cut-up roof, a high-cost region, premium products or a contractor with a long backlog. Ask for the line items; the replacement cost calculator shows what each factor adds.
- Does price per square include tear-off?
- Only if the quote does. The calculator adds the tear-off range to the comparison when you tick it, so a quote with tear-off is not compared with a bare installation price.