How Do I Estimate Roofing Costs in New York?

Whether you have roof-related problems like cracked shingles or you want an upgrade to your home, repairing or replacing a roof is a significant financial investment. Not only does it serve as a barrier against the harsh weather, but it also adds value to your home. However, replacing or repairing your roof is not an easy decision since you have to consider several things, including the cost.

While roofing projects may seem like a straightforward process, many factors can affect the cost and surprise homeowners. You wouldn’t want to feel intimidated, especially when the need for a roof replacement or repair is unplanned or unexpected. Knowing how to get a rough estimate of roofing costs before seeking quotes from roofing contractors in NYC will help you prepare financially. This article will walk you through the four basic steps in calculating roofing costs.

Step 1: Measuring the roof area

Before we can begin estimating roofing costs, we need to find the square footage of the roof. The size of your roof determines the number of materials you will need to finish roofing your house. To get the roof area, you need to measure its length and width using a tape measure then multiply the two dimensions.

Climbing onto your roof and measuring it can be difficult and dangerous. So instead of doing that and risking your life, you can use the room’s area below the roof to come up with its rough estimate. Another trick that you can try is by multiplying the square footage of your home by 1.5. For example, a 2,500 square foot house will have a roof that is approximately 3,750 square feet.

If your roof has a more complex shape, measuring the dimension and calculating each area will give a more accurate roof area. Follow this method if you have an L-shaped or T-shaped roof. If your house also has dormer windows, you should also consider measuring those slopped projections.

Step 2: Measuring the roof pitch  

Roof pitch is the measurement of the steepness of your roof. This factor defines the level of difficulty and how much time it will take to install the roof. The steeper it is, the more complex and more extended your roofing project may take.

A roof’s pitch is defined by the roof’s vertical rise divided by its horizontal run. A “6/12 pitch” would mean that the roof rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 horizontal inches. There are three ways to measure the pitch of your roof. You will need a tape measure or ruler and a level for the methods below. Before starting, measure 12 inches from one end of your level and mark that spot as your basis.

• Method #1 – While you’re on a ladder beside the roof, put your level a foot above the roof. The end where you began your measurement for the 12-inch mark should be the one touching the roof. Hold it horizontally and ensure the bubble is in the center of every vial. From the 12-inch mark on the level’s bottom, start measuring straight down to the roof. If the distance measures 8 inches, then you have an “8/12 pitch.”
• Method #2 – While you’re on a ladder at the gable end of your house, place the level against the gable trim flat against the side of the house. This time, measure above the 12-inch mark of the level, up to the gable trim’s bottom edge. The distance is the roof’s rise.
• Method #3 – Go inside your attic and place the level against a rafter. Like the second method, measure from the top of the 12-inch mark to the rafter’s bottom edge. That distance is your roof’s rise.

The roof pitch also affects the actual area of the roof. If you didn’t climb onto the roof and manually measure its exact length and width, you only have the roof’s horizontal area. You will need to use a correction factor to get the actual roof area. Below are some of the common slope correction factors with their corresponding roof pitch and angle:

Step 3: Determine the type of material you want to use

The most significant factor that will affect this project’s cost is likely the roofing material you choose. Websites like HomeAdvisor also report the average costs of common roofing materials, but keep in mind that prices may change each year. You can visit the nearest construction store to determine the latest general cost of roofing materials in your area.

Below is the average price per square (100 sq.ft.) of different roofing materials, not including installation:

• Asphalt shingles – between $80 to $550 per square
• Cedar shakes – $400 per square
• Wood shakes – $350 per square
• Composite shingles – $325 per square
• Steel shingles – $75 to $350 per square
• Stainless steel shingles – $400 to $1,200 per square
• Aluminum shingles – $150 to $600 per square

Keep in mind that different roofing materials will have different dimensions. You will need to determine the material’s standard size to find out how many bundles you will need to cover your roof. If a pile of composite shingles covers approximately 33 square feet of roof, then you will need a total of 75 bundles for a 2500 square feet roof.

Step 4: Calculate

Now that you have the square footage of your roof, slope, and the average price of roofing materials per square, you can start estimating your roofing cost. Calculate how many materials you will need for the square footage of your roof and multiply it by its average price. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include the removal and installation fee of the roofing contractor.

If you want more information and tips for all roofing services in New York or  your roofing needs, you can visit and learn more @ TCI Manhattan Roofing Repair Services NYC.