How much will a new roof cost? [2024]

Installing a new roof or replacing an old roof is a home improvement worth having, but how much does a new roof cost? The cost of a new roof depends on a number of things, not only its size and materials. To estimate the cost for your project, please visit our roof cost calculator.

Read this short guide to find out:

• How much will a new roof cost?
• How much does roof replacement cost?
• Why new roof costs vary
• Choosing a roofing contractor
• Getting quotes for a new roof

How much will a new roof cost?

Because each roof is different, new roof costs can vary considerably. The cost of a new roof may be:

• $40 to $60 per m2 for concrete roofing
• $50 to $70 per m2 for metal roofing
• $80 to $110 per m2 for terracotta roofing
• $200 to $500 per m2 for slate roofing

These are approximate prices and roofs will vary in size. For a 200 square metre roof, expect to pay around:

• $8,000 to $12,000 for concrete roofing
• $10,000 to $14,000 for metal roofing
• $16,000 to $22,000 for terracotta roofing
• $40,000 to $100,000 for slate roofing

In general, the new roof cost should be approximately 2% to 4% of the value of your home. If your home is worth $500,000, expect a new roof to cost between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on the materials you use and the complexity of the roof design (except in the case of slate roofing).

 

How much does roof replacement cost?

Replacing a roof involves removing old roofing materials, making repairs and installing a new roof. Just as a new roof can cost more than another roof of the same size, roof replacement costs also vary. Some factors that may affect roof replacement costs include:

• Single or two-storey home
• Steepness of the roof pitch
• Distance to the truck that takes the old roofing away
• Structural work or repairs needed

Some general costs for roof replacement may be:

• $6,000 to $10,000 to replace a metal roof with Colorbond roofing
• $15,000 to $20,000 to replace an asbestos roof with Colorbond
• $16,000 to $24,000 to replace a tiled roof (based on 200m2 roof size)

These prices are not dependent on the size of the roof, except for the tiled roof estimate. They may vary because of the factors listed above. They are also subject to variation depending on the roofing contractor you choose, the area you live in and other factors.

To find out how much your roof will cost to replace, get quotes from roofing contractors. Most roofing contractors are familiar with roof replacement and can give you an accurate quote after they have inspected your roof.

Why new roof costs vary

Two roofs of the same size can have very different costs. One roof may be easy to build, while another may require extra precautions and can be far harder to install. The roofing materials and how difficult they are to install will also impact on the cost of a new roof.

For example, a single-storey roof with a gentle slope will be cheaper to install than a two-storey roof of the same size with a steep slope. More complex designs and options such as green roofs also cost more.

Although roofers charge an hourly rate, they will base their calculations for your new roof cost on the square metres of roofing needed and the complexity of the job. One job may cost $6,000 while another roof of the same size may cost $10,000.

To get a more accurate quote, mention the type of roofing you currently have, the steepness of the pitch and whether you have a single or two-storey home. Also mention any access problems and the distance the roofers will have to go to load the old roofing materials onto a truck.

Choosing a roofing contractor

Whether you're having a new roof installed or replacing a roof, you'll want to know that you're hiring an experienced roofing contractor. Things to look for include:

• They should be a registered business
• They should carry insurance
• They should be well established in your area
• They should be able to provide references
• Ask for a written quote after they have inspected your roof
• Many roofing contractors belong to a professional organisation
• They should offer a warranty on their work. Warranties can be from 2 to 7 years, so be sure to ask about the length of the warranty. A longer warranty may be a sign the roofer is confident about their work.

Depending on where you live, your roofing contractor may need to be licensed:

• Roofing licenses are issued by Fair Trading in NSW
• The Victorian Building Commission issues roofing licenses in Victoria
• The Queensland Building and Construction Commission issues two types of roofing licences: a nominee supervisor and trade contractor
• In Western Australia, roofing jobs worth $20,000 or more require the services of a contractor or practitioner

These are just a few examples. Visit Licensed Trades: Roofing for more information about roofing licences in all Australian states and territories.

 

Getting quotes for a new roof

The best way to get an accurate online quote is to describe your roof in as much detail as possible. Important points to include are:

• How many square metres is the roof?
• Does it have a steep or gentle pitch?
• Is it a single storey or two-storey home?
• How complex is the roof?
• Are there access problems?

You won't get a firm quote for what your new roof costs until the roofer has a chance to inspect the current roof, but if you give them as much information as possible, your initial online quote should be closer to the final firm quote.

In some cases, you may not be able to get a firm quote until the roofing contractor has removed the old roof. They can then see any repairs or structural work the roof requires. They should be able to give you some costs based on other work they've done so you won't be surprised by a higher quote, should your roof structure need repairs or structural work.

The important thing to remember is that no two roofs are alike. A neighbour's roof may have cost more or less than your roof because of its size, complexity and/or the materials used. Asking a neighbour how much their roof cost won't necessarily tell you how much your roofing job is going to cost. The only way to do that is to get quotes from a few roofing contractors in your area.

Rather than just choosing the lowest quote, compare the experience of the roofers and choose a quote from a contractor you can rely on to do a good job on a new roof or a roof replacement. It's better to spend a little more on a roofing contractor you can trust than save a few dollars on a new roofing contractor with less experience.

 

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.