Roofers charge $300 to $900 per square, based on materials, complexity, and availability of materials. In 2026, the national average roofing cost per square sits between $400 and $700, and our roofing industry report shows prices climbing 3% to 5% every year. As a roofer or contractor, it's important to understand these costs to avoid over- or undercharging clients.
Most roofers charge unreasonable amounts per square, which ruins customer relations or bankrupts the business. In this guide, we explore average material and labor costs, roofing prices per square by roof size, and Illinois-specific numbers so you can make an informed decision before signing any contract.
On average, replacing a roof can cost from $300 to $900 per square (100 square feet). This cost includes tearing off old shingles, buying new materials, and installing them. These figures are mercurial and often region-specific.
Here's an overview of typical roofing prices per square to put things into perspective:
In Illinois, the average roof replacement cost per square runs from $413 to $604 statewide, and $547 to $811 per square in the Chicago metro. You have to understand these costs and the factors that influence them to give clients the right estimates.
The average cost to replace a roof completely depends on material, labor, roof size, and various other factors. However, here's a rough estimate of regional pricing ranges for a roof installation per square:
This figure can change because of factors like:
Furthermore, commercial and residential roofing work have different costs per square. For example, a commercial roofing job will pay more compared to residential jobs. This happens because commercial roofing jobs have stricter regulations, extensive paperwork, and skill requirements.
The type of roofing material you choose significantly impacts the roof replacement cost. On average, roofing materials might cost between $100 and $450 per square, and suppliers have raised prices 3% to 5% each year since 2024. However, there are tens of different types of roofing materials for contractors to work with.
Here's a brief comparison list that may help you understand how much roofing material per square costs by type.
|
Material Type |
Average Cost per Square |
Cost Factor |
|
Asphalt Shingles |
$150 - $250 |
These are common, easy to handle, and install. |
|
Architectural Shingles |
$200 - $350 |
These are thicker, more durable, but harder to install. |
|
Metal Roofing |
$350 - $650 |
Great material, but complex and time-consuming to install. |
|
Clay or Concrete Tile |
$450 - $900 |
Very heavy and brittle, making them hard to manage and install. |
|
Wood Shakes/Shingles |
$300 - $450 |
Easy to acquire and install, but requires precision and ingenuity. |
Generally, tile roofs have the highest cost per square, because they require superior skill, more labor, and time. Asphalt shingle roofs are much easier to install and carry, which brings down their cost per linear foot.
The type of roof (structure) can significantly affect the cost per square. For example, flat roofs are safer and easier to work with, bringing down labor and installation costs. A mansard roof is much harder to work with because of its structure, which increases its cost.
Here's an overview of different roof types and their average cost per square:
| Roof Type | Average Cost per Square | Reasons for Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Gable Roof | $300 – $600 | Simple design, easy installation, low material waste, and widely available materials. |
| Hip Roof | $400 – $700 | More complex framing, more materials than gable, requires skilled labor. |
| Mansard Roof | $600 – $1,200 | Complex structure, high labor costs, multiple slopes, and often needs custom materials. |
| Flat Roof | $350 – $800 | Requires special waterproofing, drainage systems, and labor-intensive sealing processes. |
| Shed Roof | $250 – $500 | Single slope, easy to build, minimal framing, but limited to smaller buildings. |
| Gambrel Roof | $500 – $800 | Similar to barn roofs, complex shapes, high material use, and more difficult to install. |
| Butterfly Roof | $600 – $1,000 | Modern aesthetic requires advanced waterproofing and drainage, complex framing. |
| Clerestory Roof | $700 – $1,100 | Includes vertical windows, needs structural reinforcements, difficult installation. |
| Combination Roof | $750 – $1,300 | Combines two or more types, increases labor time and complexity, and custom design costs. |
You can think about this in terms of roof pitch (elevation angle or slope). The cost and difficulty of a roof installation are directly correlated to the pitch. The steeper a roof is, the more a roofer will charge for work.
The cost of a new roof is higher than the cost of repairs and minor replacements. This happens because installing a new roof requires the removal of the previous roof. The time and effort it takes to install a new roof leads to higher labor costs.
Common roofing procedures are often less labor-intensive, which decreases labor costs. You must understand the types of roofing jobs and their impacts on labor costs. Doing this will help you make more accurate judgements about estimates.
Note: Emergency roof repairs or work have higher costs because you are abandoning other work to invest in that specific project.
Clients rarely ask about the price of one square. They ask what their whole roof will cost. Most residential roofs in the US fall between 15 and 30 squares (1,500 to 3,000 square feet of roof surface).
Here's what different roof sizes cost with standard asphalt shingles versus premium materials like metal or tile:
| Roof Size | Square Feet | Asphalt Shingles | Metal or Tile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Squares | 1,000 sq. ft. | $3,500 – $5,500 | $7,000 – $12,000 |
| 15 Squares | 1,500 sq. ft. | $5,500 – $9,000 | $11,000 – $18,000 |
| 20 Squares | 2,000 sq. ft. | $8,000 – $14,000 | $16,000 – $24,000 |
| 25 Squares | 2,500 sq. ft. | $9,500 – $15,000 | $20,000 – $30,000 |
| 30 Squares | 3,000 sq. ft. | $10,500 – $16,500 | $24,000 – $36,000 |
| 40 Squares | 4,000 sq. ft. | $16,000 – $28,000 | $32,000 – $48,000 |
Remember that a roof's surface is usually 20% to 30% larger than the home's footprint. Pitch, overhangs, and dormers all add square footage. A 2,000 sq. ft. home often carries a 2,400 to 2,600 sq. ft. roof, which means you'd quote 24 to 26 squares, not 20.
Use this interactive roofing cost per square calculator to generate a quick ballpark for any job. Pick the material, set the roof size in squares, and choose the pitch. The tool applies current 2026 per-square rates and shows the labor and material split.
A roofing project isn't just about nails, hammers, and materials. You have to charge for the effort it takes to use those materials and the time you invest. On average, roofing labor costs range from $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot in 2026.
Moreover, project complexity and your location can increase labor costs. Meaning, you charge almost $150 to $450 per square for the labor. In Illinois, roofing labor typically falls in the $200 to $300 per square range, with Chicago crews at the top of that band. For clarity, you are charging this amount for:
Two situations change the math. Metal roofing labor cost per square runs 30% to 50% higher than shingles because panels need precise cutting, seaming, and fastening, which is why becoming a metal roofing contractor pays so well. Roofing labor cost per square for new construction runs 10% to 20% lower because there's no tear-off, the deck is clean, and the site has open access.
Charge the client for your skill, experience, effort, and time. While you're doing this, remember that it's not about charging someone more. Be honest, truthful, and realistic when you're generating estimates.
Some clients ask for hourly numbers instead of per-square pricing, especially on repairs. Most roofers charge $40 to $80 per hour per worker in 2026. Highly skilled installers working slate, copper, or standing seam metal can command $100+ per hour.
Day rates work differently. A full crew of 4 to 6 roofers typically bills $1,500 to $3,000 per day, depending on region and experience. Here's why per-square pricing still beats hourly for most jobs:
Every roofing estimate is a combination of the material and labor costs. You must understand different roofing needs and charge the right amount for labor costs. On average, the cost per square of a roof is divided into:
The ratio depends on the roof's needs, its size, and regional labor costs. Here's an overview of the ratios between labor and material for different roof types:
|
Project Type |
Labor |
Material |
Reason |
|
Asphalt Shingles |
~40% |
~60% |
Easier installation and lower labor time. |
|
Metal Roof |
~50% |
~50% |
More complex to install, which increases the labor hours. |
|
Steep or multi-level roof |
~60% |
~40% |
Requires more crew and safety equipment. |
|
Flat roof |
~40% |
~60% |
Easier to install, but membrane materials can add to the cost. |
Easier installation and lower labor time keep the labor share down.
For example, if you've a 2,000 sq. ft. shingle roof and your roofer or a roofing contractor is charging $600 per square total for a roof replacement. Here's a breakdown of the cost:
Total Cost: 20 squares x $600 = $12000
The labor cost minus the overhead cost is your take-home income. That is the amount that defines how much roofers make across the US, and eventually how much roofing company owners make once they scale.
Illinois deserves its own numbers because our weather punishes roofs harder than most states. Freeze-thaw cycles, hail, 60 mph Chicago wind gusts, and the occasional derecho keep replacement demand high. That demand shapes what Illinois roofers can charge per square.
Here's what the 2026 Illinois market looks like:
Union labor premiums, stricter Cook County building codes, and higher permit fees explain the Chicago markup. Nearly every Illinois municipality requires a roofing permit for full replacement, and permits run $100 to $500 in most towns. Learn the different types of Illinois roofing permits and build both into every quote you write.
Commercial roofing costs per square foot run $4 to $12 for flat and low-slope systems like TPO, EPDM, and modified bitumen. Commercial work is usually quoted per square foot rather than per square because the projects are large and the systems are membrane-based.
Commercial jobs carry costs that residential work doesn't:
Those extras are exactly why commercial roofing pays more per crew hour. Compare the two sides of the trade in our residential vs commercial roofing guide, and see how the margins stack up in our breakdown of roofing net profit.
Now, we're at the chunk where you will learn how to generate a roofing estimate. Here's a breakdown of the overall process every reputable roofing contractor should take:
Roofing companies and individuals can use roofing CRM software to estimate the size, materials, and costs. If you're doing it the old-fashioned way, here's how you make an estimate:
Here's a simple formula to help you make the estimates:
Total Roofing Estimate = Material Cost (Total Squares) + Labor Cost (Estimated Hourly Wage Per Job * Crew) + Overhead Costs (Fuel + Permit + Equipment)
The roofing estimate should have the same 40 to 60 ratio. Based on the roof type, you can charge 40% to 60% for the labor costs. Add a 15% to 25% profit margin on top so the business grows instead of just surviving.
In roofing, "per square" refers to the cost for every 100 square feet of roof area. When a roofer says a roofing project will cost $450 per square, they mean $450 for every 100 square feet, and not a square foot. It's one of the first roofing terminologies every contractor should master.
Here's a brief explanation of the differences between a roofing square vs a square foot:
This unit helps roofers simplify estimates and standardize pricing across projects of different sizes. Other reasons why roofers use this unit are:
We recommend generating estimates based on this unit. It makes approximations for roofing net profit much easier, which also translates to clearer and transparent quotes.
Most roofers charge between $350 and $550 per square (100 square feet) for shingle roof replacement, depending on materials, roof complexity, and location. Premium materials like metal or tile can cost $700 to $1,200+ per square in 2026.
The cost of 10 squares of roofing typically ranges from $3500 to $5500 for asphalt shingles, including labor and materials. For premium materials like metal or tile, the price can exceed $7000 to $10000, depending on complexity, location, and roof pitch.
A 20 square roof (2,000 square feet) costs $8,000 to $14,000 for an asphalt shingle replacement in 2026, including tear-off, materials, and labor. Metal or tile on the same roof can run $16,000 to $24,000 or more.
The cost of 30 squares on a roof ranges from $10500 to $16500 for asphalt shingles, including labor and materials. The cost changes significantly based on the materials you're using, roof type, and labor.
Roofers charge $40 to $80 per hour per worker on average in 2026. Specialty installers working slate, copper, or standing seam metal can command $100+ per hour, and a full crew day rate runs $1,500 to $3,000.
Roofers charge what they do because every estimate covers skilled labor, insurance, safety gear, permits, disposal fees, fuel, and business overhead, not just shingles. Running a roofing operation carries real startup and overhead costs, roofing is one of the most dangerous trades in the US, and material prices have climbed 3% to 5% every year.
Most residential roofers offer free estimates and treat them as a sales opportunity. Detailed inspections that use drone imaging or infrared scanning may cost $100 to $300, and many contractors credit that fee toward the project if they win the job.
An experienced crew installs 20 to 40 squares of asphalt shingles per day on a simple, walkable roof. Steep pitches, multiple stories, and cut-up rooflines can cut that pace in half, which is exactly why those roofs cost more per square.
The average cost per square of a roof ranges between $300 and $900, with the 2026 national average sitting at $400 to $700. On average, roughly 40% of a roofing project is the labor costs, while the other 60% accounts for material costs. These percentages change depending on the roofing material and the scope of work.
If you're a new roofer and having a hard time working out these estimates, we'll help you. We teach you everything about roofing in our Illinois roofing classes. We help you get the license, understand permit needs, and generate estimates and invoices. Join our classes today and become the best in your trade.
We help you with the license and post-license complications.
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