Cost to replace an asphalt roof in Pittsburgh
The cost to replace an asphalt roof in Pittsburgh depends on size, pitch and material. Most Pittsburgh homes pay $10,000 to $20,000, or about $500 to $800 per square. A square is 100 square feet of roof. Here is how that number gets built, what each part costs and how to tell a fair quote from a thin one. This guide covers what a typical home pays here.
Updated
Rough roof cost calculator
A planning range only. Layers, deck repairs and access change it, and your written quote comes after we look at the roof.
| Roof | Typical size | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Small ranch or bungalow, simple shape | 12 to 18 squares | $7,000 to $12,000 |
| Pittsburgh two-story brick house | 18 to 26 squares | $10,000 to $17,000 |
| Suburban colonial, some valleys | 26 to 35 squares | $14,000 to $22,000 |
| Large home, steep and cut up | 35 squares and up | $22,000 and up |
Average cost to replace an asphalt roof in Pittsburgh
The typical new roof cost around Pittsburgh is about $14,000 to $15,000 for a two-story house with architectural shingles, and that is a fair average to plan around. If you are asking about the cost to redo a roof or the price of a new roof, this is the number that matters. You will see lower national numbers online, but those often leave out tear-off, flashing and disposal, and they don't reflect how steep and detailed many Pittsburgh roofs are.
A low quote isn't always a bargain. On a roofing job, the materials you can see are only part of the price. Labor, safety gear, disposal, flashing and everything under the shingles make up the rest, and those are the places a cheap job saves its money.
Cost to replace an asphalt roof, by shingle type
Asphalt is what nearly all Pittsburgh homes have, so the asphalt shingle roof cost below is the price most people need. These show the full asphalt roof replacement cost, not just the materials.
| Shingle | Price per square | Typical 22 square roof |
|---|---|---|
| 3-tab shingles | $420 to $620 | $9,000 to $13,500 |
| Architectural shingles | $500 to $800 | $11,000 to $17,500 |
| Designer shingles | $650 to $1,000 | $14,500 to $22,000 |
How to work out the size of your roof
Working out the cost starts with size, and your floor area won't tell you that directly. A roof is measured in squares, and pitch and overhangs add area. A simple way to get close is to take your home's footprint, not its total living space, and multiply by 1.2 for a modest pitch, 1.4 for a steep one or 1.6 for a very steep one.
So a two-story house with an 800 square foot footprint and a steep roof has about 1,120 square feet of roof, or 11 squares, plus any porch and garage. Waste, ridges and valleys add a bit more. That is why roofers measure, and it is a good check on any quote that seems too big or too small.
Asphalt roof cost by house size
These are rough ranges for architectural shingles, based on floor area. A two-story house has a much smaller roof than a ranch with the same floor area, so check which row fits you.
| Living space | Two-story house | Ranch or one-story |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $6,000 to $9,500 | $8,000 to $13,000 |
| 1,200 sq ft | $7,000 to $11,000 | $9,500 to $15,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $8,000 to $13,000 | $12,000 to $18,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $10,000 to $16,000 | $15,000 to $24,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $12,000 to $19,000 | $19,000 to $30,000 |
What moves the price
- Size. Measured in squares of roof, which is more than your footprint once pitch and overhangs are counted.
- Pitch. Steep roofs need more safety gear and go slower. Anything too steep to walk comfortably adds about 10 to 30 percent.
- Layers. Two or three old layers of shingles mean more tear-off labor and more disposal.
- Deck repairs. Rotted boards are replaced by the sheet. Get that per-sheet price in writing.
- Complexity. Dormers, valleys, chimneys and walls all need flashing work.
- Access. A tight alley with no dumpster spot means more hand carrying.
- Shingle grade. Designer shingles cost more than standard architectural shingles.
- Timing. Weeks after a big storm are busy, and prices and wait times both go up.
What each part of a roof costs
Most quotes give one total, but it helps to know what the pieces are worth when you compare them. These are typical add-on prices around Pittsburgh.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Roof tear-off, each extra layer | $50 to $100 per square |
| Roof deck replacement | $80 to $130 per sheet |
| Ice and water shield upgrade | $100 to $250 per square covered |
| Chimney flashing | $600 to $1,500 |
| Ridge vent | $8 to $15 per foot |
| Skylight reflash or replacement | $500 to $1,800 |
| Seamless gutters and downspouts | $9 to $16 per foot |
What a fair quote should list
Two quotes can be $4,000 apart and describe different roofs. Before you compare the bottom lines, make sure each one says the same things.
- Full tear-off, and how many layers
- Ice and water shield, and where it goes
- Underlayment type
- New drip edge, flashing and pipe boots
- Ventilation changes
- Shingle brand and product name
- A per-sheet price for deck repair
- Dumpster, cleanup and nail sweep
- Workmanship warranty, in writing
Other roof costs in Pittsburgh
Prices vary with height and access, so treat these as planning ranges. See flat roof repair, slate roof repair, metal roofing and seamless gutters for more detail.
Ways to pay less without a worse roof
Book for spring or late fall if you can, since summer and post-storm weeks are the busiest. Replace gutters at the same time, so you only pay for one setup. Skip a designer shingle if nobody can see the roof from the street. Ask about a repair instead of a replacement if the roof still has a few good years. Don't save money by skipping the tear-off or ice and water shield, because those are the parts that keep water out.
If you need to spread the cost out, we can help you arrange financing or work with your own lender or financing partner. If your roof was damaged by a storm, read our guide to what homeowners insurance covers before you pay out of pocket.
Common roof prices around Pittsburgh
| Job | Typical price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle roof replacement | $500 to $800 per square | Includes tear-off, underlayment, flashing and disposal on a typical house |
| Typical Pittsburgh house, full replacement | $10,000 to $20,000 | Most homes here fall in this band, depending on size, pitch and access |
| Roof repair | $350 to $1,500 | Shingle, flashing and pipe boot repairs |
| Slate roof repair | $600 to $2,500 | Depends on slate count, height and access |
| Flat roof replacement | $9 to $15 per square foot | EPDM rubber or TPO over a sound deck |
| Standing seam metal roof | $14 to $22 per square foot | Steep or cut-up roofs land at the high end |
| Seamless aluminum gutters | $9 to $16 per foot | Includes downspouts and removal of old gutters |
| Soffit and fascia repair | $12 to $30 per foot | More if rotted wood has to be replaced behind it |
Common questions
How much does a new roof cost?
In the Pittsburgh area, usually $10,000 to $20,000 for an asphalt shingle roof on a typical house. National averages can differ, since labor and roof styles vary by region.
How much is a new roof in PA?
Across Pennsylvania, most asphalt roofs fall somewhere around $9,000 to $22,000. Around Pittsburgh, $10,000 to $20,000 is a common band.
What is a square in roofing?
A square is 100 square feet of roof area. A 2,000 square foot roof is 20 squares.
How much do roofers charge per square?
Around Pittsburgh, about $500 to $800 per square for architectural shingles, including tear-off and new accessories. Steep or complicated roofs cost more.
How much do roofers charge per square foot?
About $5 to $8 per square foot of roof for architectural shingles. That is roof area, not floor area.
How much do roofers charge for labor?
Labor is often around half of the price of a roof job, though most roofers quote one total. Steep pitch and hard access raise the labor share.
How much do roofers charge to replace plywood?
Usually $80 to $130 per sheet, including labor. Get this rate in writing before the job starts.
How much does a new roof cost on a 1500 square foot house?
Often $8,000 to $13,000 on a two-story and $12,000 to $18,000 on a ranch, depending on pitch and layers.
How much does a new roof cost for a 1200 sq ft house?
About $7,000 to $11,000 on a two-story house and $9,500 to $15,000 on a ranch, because a ranch has a bigger roof.
Is roof replacement tax deductible?
Generally not on a personal home, though a new roof can count as a capital improvement when you sell, and rental properties are treated differently. Ask your tax preparer.
Does a new roof include gutters?
Not normally. Gutters are a separate line, though replacing them with the roof can save on setup.
More roofing services
- repairs from our Pittsburgh roofers
- new roofs from our roofers
- help with roof leaks
- emergency roofers
- slate roofers in Pittsburgh
- rowhouse rubber roofs
- metal roofing in Pittsburgh
- small commercial roofs
- seamless gutters in Pittsburgh
- soffit and fascia work
- roof inspection in Pittsburgh
- ice dam removal
- roof ventilation