The roofing industry has a meticulous approach to its consultation process and how estimates are given.
One of the more common methods involves the “per square” basis, which measures the roofing project based on squares. Here’s more on what a square is and the costs associated with this concept.
What is a Square?
Let’s begin by defining the term “square” and what it means in the roofing industry.
Squares refer to 10 feet x 10 feet patches of roof. Instead of charging per square foot, roofers use this particular measuring tool as a way to streamline their costs and ensure both parties are on the same page.
In general, the average residential property will have a roof measured between 22-35 squares. You can calculate the cost of your roof by following these steps
Costs
Each roofing task is subjected to its own costs and these have to be noted before a final estimate is put together. Here’s a look at the cost breakdown for different projects.
1) Removal
For removals, the roofer will go through a detailed assessment of the old roof to pinpoint underlying issues and/or concerns. These have to be accounted for before a plan is put together. In most cases, the removal is going to cost approximately $100-$150 per square and this may increase depending on structural concerns. If additional work is necessary, the roofer will ensure their client is aware of this beforehand. However, most removals are straightforward and will fall into line with this estimate.
2) Repairs
This will depend on the extent of one’s roofing damage and what needs to be fixed. In some cases, the repair may not come with a “per square” cost since it’s localized to one part of the rooftop. If the roofing damage is spread over a larger area then it may be positioned as a per square estimate.
In this case, it can vary based on what type of damage is being dealt with.
For most cases, the repair cost is going to settle somewhere between $100-$200 per square but this number can rise if substantial damage is uncovered.
3) Installations/Replacements
Installations are a unique concept in the roofing industry because of the different materials. Each material comes with its own price tag and this has to be factored into the final estate.
Let’s start with the most common roofing material – asphalt. With asphalt shingles, clients will be expected to pay approximately $120-$400 per square, while also having to foot the bill for vent covers, gutters, trim, and flashing depending on the property’s needs. In some cases, the roofer may suggest repairing the roof instead of replacing it but this is often determined on a case-by-case basis.
With metal roofs, the costs tend to increase rapidly as one can expect to pay around $500-$1,800 depending on the type of metal being used. For example, general metal is going to be cost-efficient in comparison to copper. These details can be discussed during the initial consultation between both parties.
Similar to metal, slate tiles can also end up costing a large amount with estimates coming in around $800-$1,700 per square. This has to do with how detailed the installation process is and the various patterns associated with the project.
The final material property owners inquire about is clay. This can cost approximately $500-$800 per square.
Final Thoughts
These are the costs associated with modern-day roofing projects on a per square basis. It’s important to set up a personalized consultation with a roofer to learn more about what the property needs and how much it’s going to cost with everything taken into account.