How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Roof in New York?

In this guide

Average Roof Replacement Cost in NY by Size

The most common roof size in New York is 1,800 sq.ft., which is below the national average. However, there is a range of home and roof sizes across the state. Because so many homes in New York City have flat roofs, your roof size may be smaller than your total average square footage. This leads to a wide range of costs for roofs in the state.

In addition to sizes, there are several materials and roof types. Gable and flat roofs are the two most common, with asphalt ¹ shingles ², all types of flat roofing material, metal roofing, cedar, and slate ³ roofs being common across the state. All materials have a combined average cost range of $3 to $32 per sq.ft. installed in a replacement scenario. Below are the average costs to replace a roof in New York state of varying sizes.

Cost to Replace a Roof in NY by Pitch

The two most common roof types in New York are flat and gable roofs. Flat roofs have a minimal pitch and use a different material than many conventionally sloped roofs. Low-slope roofs can sometimes fall into the flat roof category in material, but some may also require a flat roof material, such as rubber or a membrane. Conventionally sloped roofs include gable and hipped roofs and refer to roofs with a pitch or rise of 4/12 to 6/12, meaning the roof rises 4” to 6” for every 12” horizontally. Roofs with a conventional pitch can use the most common roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles, cedar, metal, and slate. Because of the different materials, you can have a range of replacement costs for roofs of varying pitch. Below are the average costs per square foot for roofs in New York of different pitches.

Cost of Roof Replacement in NY by Material

Many roof materials can be found in New York, and asphalt and architectural shingles and flat roofing types are popular. Because flat roofs are very common, several materials are used frequently, such as PVC, bitumen, and rubber. You can also find materials like cedar, metal, and slate in areas upstate. Because traditional asphalt does not last long in New York, many people opt for more durable and longer-lasting materials. Your roof cost varies by the material. Some materials are more costly than others and impact your project’s cost. Below are the average costs per square foot for roofs in New York using the most common materials.

Average Cost of Roof Replacement in NY by Shape

New York homes come in various configurations. Many around New York City have variations of flat roofs, while homes throughout the state can have other roofing types. Gable roofs are popular in New York, including plain, cross, and Dutch gables. Other roofs include hipped, butterfly, and dormer. Most of these roofs have a range of associated costs based on the most common materials. All roofs except flat roofs can use most shingle or metal roofing materials, while flat roofs use their own materials, such as single-ply vinyl membranes and rubber. Your roof’s complexity and materials can influence the total cost of replacing your roof. Below are the average costs for roof replacement in New York based on the most common roof shapes.

Roof Replacement Cost Breakdown (New York)

In a roof replacement, the old roofing usually must be removed before the new roof can be installed. In some cases, you can roof over your existing roofing material. This can be done with asphalt shingles and some types of metal roofing provided a single layer of roofing is in place. However, this is not always recommended and uncommon in New York, where roofs tend to have shorter-than-average lifespans. Replacing the roof extends the structure’s lifespan. Removing the existing material allows you to examine the roof deck and determine if it needs reinforcement or repair.

The exact cost of your roof replacement varies depending on your roof’s complexity and material. Some materials like slate and cedar shingles take more labor to install than asphalt shingles, so your labor costs can be higher. Some complex roofs with multiple skylights, valleys, or protrusions like chimneys can be more costly to work on. This leads to a wide range of costs for roof replacements. Labor costs in New York vary depending on whether you are located near NYC or in more rural areas. The state average cost for labor per hour for roofers is between $40 and $70 per hour, with $55 being a general state estimate. Most roofers quote a total per square cost, including the tear-off, material, and installation. Below is the average cost breakdown to replace a roof in New York, including removal of the old roof, material, and labor costs to install a new roof.

Removing Old Roofing vs Roofing Over in New York

Roofing over is a common alternative to a full roof replacement. In a roof over, materials like asphalt shingles or metal roofing can be installed over a single layer of existing asphalt shingles. The benefit of this is reduced costs because you do not have the associated labor costs with the tear-off, so your overall cost is lower. Roofing over is not as common in New York as in some other states. Roofs tend to not last as long in this area, and roofing over can shorten the lifespan of the new roof. You get the longest lifespan for your new roof by replacing your New York roof.

When tearing off an existing roof, you see the roof deck below. This lets the roofer tell if there are structural issues that should be addressed. If you roof over, it can only be done once. The next time you need to replace your roof, you need to remove both layers, increasing the cost. The roof over can only be done if the roof is in good condition.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Skylight Replacement

If you have a skylight on your roof, you may want to consider replacing it during the roof replacement. When you replace a skylight, you need to remove some flashing ⁴ or roofing around it. There is a time after the tear-off when the skylight can be easily replaced during the roof replacement, saving money on the skylight replacement. The average cost in New York to replace a skylight is around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the roof type and skylight.

Cost to Redeck a Roof

If it is determined that your roof deck is in poor condition during the roof replacement, you may need to have it redecked. If you use a heavy material on your roof, such as slate shingles, you may need to reinforce the roof by installing a new deck. The average cost to redeck your roof is $4,000 to $5,000. This is in addition to the cost of the new roofing material.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Asphalt: A viscous, black mixture of hydrocarbons often used for roofing and waterproofing. It is also used in asphalt for paving roads

² Shingles: A smooth, uniform, flat piece of construction material, available in a wide variety of materials and laid in a series of overlapping rows, used to cover the outside of roofs or walls to protect against weather damage and leaks.

³ Slate: A fine-grained rock, typically bluish-gray in color, that can easily be split into thin layers and is commonly used as a roofing material

⁴ Flashing: Pieces of sheet metal used on roofs to cover joints, such as where the roof meets the wall, or around a chimney or skylight, to protect them and prevent water leaking through