Roofing costs ridiculous?

[ive]

Hi everyone.

I may have missed something, but what is “a square”

Is this a 4x8 sheet of plywood?

 

[malibu101]

Hi everyone.

I may have missed something, but what is “a square”

Is this a 4x8 sheet of plywood?

10' by 10'
100 square feet

 

[gmcgeo]

Hi everyone.

I may have missed something, but what is “a square”

Is this a 4x8 sheet of plywood?

10'x10' area is one square, bundles of shingles are 3 bundles per square. some brands are more

 

[FredWanaker]

a 1200 square foot house has a roof bigger than 12 square unless the roof is flat and parallel with the ground, in which case it is not shingles but rather membrane, or hot mop tar. Add a garage, and it gets even larger. There is a little waste too. My 1400 sq foot house with a 2 car garage and eave overhang etc., measured out to 29.5 squares. I thought he was BS'ing me so I went up and remeasured it myself. He was correct.

 

[ive]

Thank you gentlemen

 

[Showkey]

a 1200 square foot house has a roof bigger than 12 square unless the roof is flat and parallel with the ground, in which case it is not shingles but rather membrane, or hot mop tar. Add a garage, and it gets even larger. There is a little waste too. My 1400 sq foot house with a 2 car garage and eave overhang etc., measured out to 29.5 squares. I thought he was BS'ing me so I went up and remeasured it myself. He was correct.

OP 1200 was the only reference to size. Obviously the actual square foot of the roof is variable by the pitch, over hang, waste and other details.
Roofers bid is usually is all in basis most will be complete job price.
complete tear off
roof deck repair is almost always xtra and priced by the sqft.
Ice and water shield, tar paper, shingles, drip edge, nail schedule in the details specification

Some will not call out the square foot or squares. They do this to make it harder to compare and the home owner has to do the math and read the details of the contract to compare the quotes. Other will bid the job $22,000. If the roof is 100 square then $220/ square

One general rule that seems to work over time……shingle cost Per square say $ 150-$200 then the labor is $150-$200 per square. The shingle cost usually includes all the other supplies.

 

[Steve_P]

"Injury risk would scare the hell out of me."

I checked, homeowners insurance covers workers you hire to work on your house, though I would recommend umbrella insurance also, which a home owner should have anyway.

Sightly off topic... Does your local building codes allow only a 1 layer roof? In NYC you can have up to 3 layers, but my home in PA only allows 1 layer. Assuming 1 layer code has to do with fire issue, making it more difficult to extinguish fire if multi layer roofing. As is I see no major issue of having 2 layers, 3 layers are too much in my book, and it looks like ****.

I do not know the answer to codes and a 1 layer roof. But the tear off goes so quickly, that I can't see why you wouldn't do it. It only took a few hours to remove the shingles on my roof. None of my three bids even suggested leaving the original in place- which I certainly wouldn't have even entertained. I was probably the last house in my ~25 house subdivision to get the roof redone, over the last 5 years I did a few shingle replacements each year to prolong it, and every house had the original shingles removed.

 

[andyvh1959]

I went back and checked, not sure how I arrived at only 12 or 14 square, I was WAY off. Per the roofing calculator below the shingle needs are 43 square. At Menards shingles average about $30 a bundle. At three bundles per square that means 43 x $90 per square = $3,870 for the shingles only. If we apply the same $90 per square labor, the total without ice dam felt, roofing felt, etc = $7740. So $8000 to $9000 for the 1200 sq ft home sounds about right. Still far less than the $12,000 my sister paid.

Roofing Calculator

This free roofing calculator estimates the area of a roof and the number of materials required to replace or build the said roof.

www.calculator.net

 

[FredWanaker]

plus tear off, plus any rot, plus if you need additional sheathing like some municipalities require. Here you would need 43 squares of 1/2 OSB in addition to the shingles.

 

[gmcgeo]

I went back and checked, not sure how I arrived at only 12 or 14 square, I was WAY off. Per the roofing calculator below the shingle needs are 43 square. At Menards shingles average about $30 a bundle. At three bundles per square that means 43 x $90 per square = $3,870 for the shingles only. If we apply the same $90 per square labor, the total without ice dam felt, roofing felt, etc = $7740. So $8000 to $9000 for the 1200 sq ft home sounds about right. Still far less than the $12,000 my sister paid.

Roofing Calculator

This free roofing calculator estimates the area of a roof and the number of materials required to replace or build the said roof.

www.calculator.net

That looks like a good price, compared to around here, GAF is at 114.50 a sq and tamko is at 102 a sq

 

[dave_dj1]

If it's a legitimate roofing contractor they are paying 50% workers comp fees and are in business to make a profit.

 

[pcmeiners]

50 % is a bit high.....

"The average rate our customers pay for workers' compensation under the roofing class code is between $9.90 and $15.25 per $100 of payroll, depending on the ."

 

[CombatNinja]

I know this is an old thread but roofing costs are still sky high in my area, fwiw. I just had a quote from a contractor to reroof my 16' x 12' backyard shed. Straight pitched roof with no complicated valleys or fancy stuff. It's a shed. It was placed in 2006 and probably had low grade 15-year shingles on it that are getting tired. He was going to cut in a ridge vent to help with ventilation, tear off the old and match the house with Owens Corning architectural 3-tab shingles. Now, I understand that these are probably nicer shingles than most people would use on a shed but why not match it for a couple hundred more? His quote was $2000. I almost fell out of my chair. The sad thing is, I'm tempted to pay it for a variety of reasons:
1. Finding time is going to be tough with a deployment coming up for me this winter.
2. Disposing of the old shingles will be difficult as most solid waste facilities won't take asphalt shingles
3. Simple convenience, this gets it done in a day with no pressure if my deployment timeline shifts.

Glad I didn't ask him to add in the price for gutters and downspouts for it. For $2,000, I would expect a new roof and probably a full repaint. I am, however, aware that my mind is slowly catching up to this new economic 'normal', but I'm not quite there yet.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

DIY find the time 2 days max. Planning to build my own next year simple one including roof putting all my power tools to the test, great workout, 1 week max.

 

[CombatNinja]

Materials are running $500 for my cost for tar paper, nails and shingles. If I decide to cut in a ridge vent, looking at another $100 or so. He countered with $1750, so now I'm at $1150 in order for me to not have to worry about it. Decisions, decisions... I still have time as temps are still 90s here and anyone with half a brain waits until it cools off before doing their roof if they have the option. It is not leaking and would probably last another year or two but I like to stay ahead of things.

 

[ScottsGT]

I know this is an old thread but roofing costs are still sky high in my area, fwiw. I just had a quote from a contractor to reroof my 16' x 12' backyard shed. Straight pitched roof with no complicated valleys or fancy stuff. It's a shed. It was placed in 2006 and probably had low grade 15-year shingles on it that are getting tired. He was going to cut in a ridge vent to help with ventilation, tear off the old and match the house with Owens Corning architectural 3-tab shingles. Now, I understand that these are probably nicer shingles than most people would use on a shed but why not match it for a couple hundred more? His quote was $2000. I almost fell out of my chair. The sad thing is, I'm tempted to pay it for a variety of reasons:
1. Finding time is going to be tough with a deployment coming up for me this winter.
2. Disposing of the old shingles will be difficult as most solid waste facilities won't take asphalt shingles
3. Simple convenience, this gets it done in a day with no pressure if my deployment timeline shifts.

Glad I didn't ask him to add in the price for gutters and downspouts for it. For $2,000, I would expect a new roof and probably a full repaint. I am, however, aware that my mind is slowly catching up to this new economic 'normal', but I'm not quite there yet.

Keep in mind if he shows up at your house he’s not somewhere else on a bigger job. I’m surprised he even offered to take it on. I bet his disposal fee alone is $100.

I keep telling my wife we need $25k in reserve in case we need a new roof. House was built in 2007 and they are still in good shape though. Friend down the road just dropped $20k on his. High wind rating since we live on a lake and get some really strong storms blowing up.

 

[CombatNinja]

I was kind of surprised he was willing to quote it too. I think it was because he did another job for me and was happy that I paid in full on time with no hassles. He says a lot of his roof jobs that are not insurance jobs are a hassle because the homeowner always wants to work out some kind of payment plan after the job is complete. Par for the course in military towns.

 

[reader2580]

I keep telling my wife we need $25k in reserve in case we need a new roof. House was built in 2007 and they are still in good shape though. Friend down the road just dropped $20k on his. High wind rating since we live on a lake and get some really strong storms blowing up.

Homeowners should have savings for replacing the furnace, water heater, air conditioner, appliances, roof, and so on. You should also have savings for car repairs. A roof you can plan for in most cases. If a roof is damaged by weather that should be an insurance claim. I put hundreds of dollars into cash savings every month to pay for home and auto repairs. I also hope to be able to pay for next car at least partly, if not fully, in cash. It helps that I have no debt except for my house.

 

[ScottsGT]

Yea, we’ve got a good stash. I just want more but she’s trying to pay off the house in 10 years or less and is paying 3X every month on principle.

 

[CombatNinja]

That's a good woman right there^^ Seems to really go against the grain when it comes to the financial acumen of the fairer ***.

 

[nadogail]

In my area, Workers Comp insurance premiums are greater than what the Roofer gets paid per hour. Last time I inquired (probably 40 years ago) Insurance Cost was 125% of Payroll.

I just git my teeth and pay the contractor.

 

[ScottsGT]

That's a good woman right there^^ Seems to really go against the grain when it comes to the financial acumen of the fairer ***.

Her financial skills are amazing. She even manages to give me a list of projects to do and then a month later when the CC bill come she chews my *** for all my spending.
That way she can lay claim to being the saver in the house while I’m the spender.

 

[86turbodsl]

Her financial skills are amazing. She even manages to give me a list of projects to do and then a month later when the CC bill come she chews my *** for all my spending.
That way she can lay claim to being the saver in the house while I’m the spender.

THAT part is not cool. She knows what she's doing.

 

[andyvh1959]

Three years ago my mortgage was $85,000. I started hitting it monthly with an additional $1000 paid to the principle at mid-month. By the next payment cycle I'll be nearly under $20,000 and on track to be paid off in full by the end of August 2023. Then my retirement options look much better. Going by memory now, but when I financed the house in 2014 solely under my name after paying my ex her share in the house, pretty sure my mortgage was $130,000. So the extra payments took six years off the mortgage pay off date.

 

[jonesg]

I know this is an old thread but roofing costs are still sky high in my area, fwiw. I just had a quote from a contractor to reroof my 16' x 12' backyard shed. Straight pitched roof with no complicated valleys or fancy stuff. It's a shed. It was placed in 2006 and probably had low grade 15-year shingles on it that are getting tired. He was going to cut in a ridge vent to help with ventilation, tear off the old and match the house with Owens Corning architectural 3-tab shingles. Now, I understand that these are probably nicer shingles than most people would use on a shed but why not match it for a couple hundred more? His quote was $2000. I almost fell out of my chair. The sad thing is, I'm tempted to pay it for a variety of reasons:
1. Finding time is going to be tough with a deployment coming up for me this winter.
2. Disposing of the old shingles will be difficult as most solid waste facilities won't take asphalt shingles
3. Simple convenience, this gets it done in a day with no pressure if my deployment timeline shifts.

Glad I didn't ask him to add in the price for gutters and downspouts for it. For $2,000, I would expect a new roof and probably a full repaint. I am, however, aware that my mind is slowly catching up to this new economic 'normal', but I'm not quite there yet.

Same up here in northern Maine, I was quoted $2K metal roof for a single car garage.
Did it myself in 3 days on a single charge of my small milwaukee impact driver. $700.
Had enough metal sheets to do the attached shed too.
I went right over the original shingles which were leaking like a sieve.
Metal looks better than shingles, up here in Maine everyone goes for metal now, all the snow comes off in one big plop.
Never have it dump over unprotected doorways, it can be fatal. And no gutters.

 

[reader2580]

The total quote was £1100 which we agreed to assume would take a couple of days (should have really asked!). They are a reputable firm that we've used in the past with no problems. We were surprised on this occasion that they wrapped everything up as quickly as they came. Payment is due tomorrow and I feel they've massively overcharged me.

I don't know exactly what labor costs are like in the UK, but the price doesn't seem completely out of line for six hours of labor, materials, and scaffolding. Have construction costs skyrocketed in the UK like in the USA? Here in the USA worker's compensation and other insurance for roofing companies is sky high.

 

[solo machinist]

This is a roof i installed a bathroom vent through. Rafters are full 2x4 rough cut oak.
On the lighter side of roofing, I have a story my BIL told me.
A old lady shows up at the job site. He asks can I help you? I'm here to shingle the roof, she says.
My helper is on the way. (he's thinking must be her son coming) Nope...No son. Granddaughter....
Wearing daisy dukes and a halter top. 20 something, Blonde with large, humm. Well you get the picture..
Welp, here's my help. Girl grabs a few and makes her way up onto the roof, bending over to lay down the shingles.
BOOM, there's guys falling over each other to "help" the poor girl. The roof was finished in no time flat with most of the guys
from every trade "helping". My Bil just watched. And grinned... Granny had it down pat...smiling all the way to the bank.
Sorry no picture of the granddaughter.

 

[karoc]

Myself, I am out of touch with prices. Be it materials or/and labor. I was wanting just some manual labor to rake leafs up and burn plus pick up sticks. The guy who answered my ad with a description of work I wanted told me that he give me 8 hrs labor for 200.00 This is just manual labor being paid in cash. I told him that’s more than what I could pay but was mainly looking for high school kid to just clean yard.
He told me good luck but that candy is no longer nickel and getting into show is no longer quarter. I feel your pain

 

[HPRifleman]

Myself, I am out of touch with prices. Be it materials or/and labor. I was wanting just some manual labor to rake leafs up and burn plus pick up sticks. The guy who answered my ad with a description of work I wanted told me that he give me 8 hrs labor for 200.00 This is just manual labor being paid in cash. I told him that’s more than what I could pay but was mainly looking for high school kid to just clean yard.
He told me good luck but that candy is no longer nickel and getting into show is no longer quarter. I feel your pain

If you are interested in a data point...

We have so many leaves come down in October that we can't handle it ourselves. Every year we have a local landscaper come by for a fall cleanup. They will do whatever you want at a rate of $45 per man-hour. For us, they blow the leaves into the tree line and clean up the planting beds. This year it was a 3-man crew putting in a total of 10 hours over the course of two days.

 

[Bulldog13]

Crews are charging up to 700 a sq. Down here in Florida…and they want a deposit just to get you on the “wait “ list…lots of unlicensed scam artists going door to door

 

[firebirdparts]

Seems like I paid 70 a square labor last time I had one done (because it's steep). So things have gone up a bit.

 

[Zeke]

I

Same up here in northern Maine, I was quoted $2K metal roof for a single car garage.
Did it myself in 3 days on a single charge of my small milwaukee impact driver. $700.
Had enough metal sheets to do the attached shed too.
I went right over the original shingles which were leaking like a sieve.
Metal looks better than shingles, up here in Maine everyone goes for metal now, all the snow comes off in one big plop.
Never have it dump over unprotected doorways, it can be fatal. And no gutters.

I like the new stretch facia.

 

[428PI]

Here in the USA worker's compensation and other insurance for roofing companies is sky high.

I don't know why. It's not like they have to buy any harness's or anything. They just get up there and get the job done.

 

[nadogail]

The last time I checked the premium for a Roofers Workman’s Compensation Insurance was greater than 125% of the Payroll. That was about 25 years ago and what has gone down in price? Everything has increased.

 

[jonesg]

I

I like the new stretch facia.

I like the $1300 I saved.

 

[Sumboodie]

15 square is around 65 bundles. At $60 a bundle that's roughly $4k just in shingles.
Felt, flashing, ice and water, nails, etc, I can see easily 6k in materials.

$1500... sure, in 1993.

 

[Dmm698]

15 square is around 65 bundles. At $60 a bundle that's roughly $4k just in shingles.
Felt, flashing, ice and water, nails, etc, I can see easily 6k in materials.

$1500... sure, in 1993.

I just did my 30x54 with an 8/12, 1 foot over hang on each gable and eave, purchased material in June, did it in July. Central NY

GAF Timberline HDZ (68 Bundles)- 31.62/Bundle
GAF Starter Pack - 48.74
Ridge Cap (3 bundles) @ 51$/Bundle
21 Pieces of Drip edge - @ 9.16 / per
2 10sq rolls of synthetic underlayment - @62.98/per
went heavy on Ice and water, 4 rolls @ 80.08 Per
Box of coil nails - 50.99

Roughly 3050$ + Tax for material, and 3-4 nights after work with 2 friends.

 

[andyvh1959]

So you did the job for $3050. Even if you figure a contractor would double the materials cost to cover the labor still puts the job at $6100. Just over half of what my sister paid for the roof on her 1200 sq ft ranch, at $12,000. $7000 to $8000 I could see, but $12K is simply too much.

 

[Kpaige]

I live in a 900 sq ft house pretty basic with seperate garage. My house cost $18,000 to reroof last year. My last house was 58 sq was reroofed 10 yrs ago insurance gave me $35000 to reroof it.

Roofing has gone up considerably. But me being a roofer for over 20 years I generally end up ahead .

 

[Kpaige]

Something you need to remember the costs of being a roofing contractor are huge, the licensing, the work comp, dump fees and penalties. Plus it’s an incredibly labor intensive job. In 1998 I made 38/hour work comp cost my work 38/ hour for me plus my benifets etc. every guy on my crew made that. So good labor is not cheap. Put that cost into today’s money.