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Cost Factors Costs by Material How To Save Roof Replacement Cost Common Types of Roofs Can You DIY? Is Repairing Worth the Cost? FAQs

Roof repair costs an average of $1,147 in the U.S. The price can range between $392–$1,913, depending on the materials, the type of damage, the type of roof, and many other factors.

This guide examines those factors and provides tips on how to know when your roof needs a repair—or whether a new replacement roof is required—and how to save money on this home improvement project.

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Key Takeaways

The average cost of roof repair is $1,147, but pricing typically ranges between $392–$1,913.

The most common cost factors influencing roof repair include the age of the roof, the weather, the time of the year, and labor costs.

This might seem like common sense, but it’s extremely important to repair a damaged roof as soon as possible. In addition to safety factors, no matter what you end up paying for a roof repair, it’s bound to cost far less than you’d have to pay for an entirely new roof.

Roof repair prevents further damage from occurring, can extend the lifespan of your roof, and eliminate unsightly cracks, punctures, and other obvious signs of damage. This is especially important if you plan to sell your home, because roof repairs can contribute to greater resale value. Repairs can also help improve your home’s insulation against the elements, improving energy efficiency and reducing electric bills.

In addition to the major roof repair cost factors, such as roofing material, roof size, and extent of the damage, consider the following factors when budgeting for your roof repair:

In addition to the factors listed above, you can expect a number of administrative costs when repairing a roof. No construction job takes place in a vacuum, so make sure to ask your contractor or roofer about these easy-to-overlook cost factors:

The roof repair type has the most significant impact on cost. It’s important to know that ignoring small problems often leads to bigger problems and higher costs. The list below provides examples of three common roof repair categories—minor, moderate, and major—and gives you a general idea of typical price ranges.

Minor repairs ($150–$1,000): Keep in mind that even minor roof damage can lead to major problems if you ignore it. Minor repairs include fixing a small roof leak, replacing a few shingles, and identifying and plugging small punctures.

Moderate repairs ($1,001–$2,000): By the time roof damage requires a moderate repair, there’s a good chance you’ve already experienced related problems in your home. One issue you can usually classify as moderate is limited water damage, but that can escalate into major damage quickly if ignored. Other moderate repair jobs include replacing the roof flashing and repairing the underlying felt or decking.

Major repairs ($2,001–$8,000): Repairs are classified as major if you need a partial or extensive replacement or reinforcement for a sagging roof. Once you’ve reached this level of repair, it’s time to consider whether it would make more sense to install a whole new roof instead of patching the old one.

Without hiring a professional roofer to conduct an inspection, how can you tell if your roof needs to get repaired? Some signs of roof damage are obvious, while others are more subtle. Here are some common roof problems that indicate your roof may need repairing:

The type of roofing material you have also determines how much repairs cost. The more expensive and difficult the material is to install, the more it will cost to repair per square foot. Asphalt shingles are typically on the low end of the price scale, while metal and slate tiles are on the higher end. Compare the average costs to repair each type of roofing material below.

Learn more about each type of material:

Your roof has at least a dozen features that can leak, rust, corrode, or otherwise need a repair. Repair costs vary based on the extent and location of the damage. Here’s an overview of average cost ranges for some common roof feature repairs:

Roof pitch, as expressed by a fraction, and roof slope, as written in a ratio, both describe the steepness and angle of a roof in different ways. Steep roofs are trickier, more dangerous, and costlier to fix than flat roofs, which are simple but require special tools. A roof with many levels and features, particularly one that’s several stories off the ground, is typically the most expensive to repair.

If the cost of roof repair feels daunting, here are some steps you can take to save money.

If your roof is decades old, has significant damage, or needs regular repairs, it might be more cost-effective to replace it. The national average cost of roof replacement is around $9,000, with a total cost range of $5,700–$12,500.

Three primary factors impact the cost to replace a roof: your location, your roof’s size, and pitch. Most roof slopes fall between 3/12 and 6/12. A roof slope over 8/12 is considered a steep roof that's hazardous and requires extra work from contractors. This extra labor can cost you an additional $1,000–$3,000.

Compare the long-term value of roof repairs based on general pricing, material lifespan, and cost per year in the chart below:

Roofing type is characterized by the material that makes up your roof’s outer surface. Different roofing materials require varying structures to support their weights and attachment requirements. Each roofing material also has different underlayment requirements to seal and offer protection.

Asphalt roof shingles are the most common type of roof in the U.S and typically the least expensive. They are composed of asphalt or composite (asphalt and fiberglass) along with granular materials.
These roof shingles have different quality levels ranging from basic to premium with prices to match. Asphalt 3-tab shingles have the shortest life span at 15–20 years, with 25–40-year life spans for premium composite shingles.

Metal roofing comes in various materials and styles, including corrugated tin sheeting, corrugated aluminum, steel tiles and sheets, and high-end copper, zinc, and titanium.
Metal roofs are durable, energy-efficient, and weather-resistant. Plus, they’re easier to clean. However, the cost of metal roofs is more expensive to install and repair, and not all homeowners like how they look. Copper and zinc are by far the most expensive metal roofing materials, but they can last 70–100 years when properly installed.

Cedar is the most common wood used for roofing, but poplar and sugar pine are also cut into shakes and shingles. Shakes have a more rustic and hand-cut appearance than shingles and tend to be more expensive.
Wood shakes and shingles last about 30 years but require substantial maintenance, such as staining and cleaning. They’re susceptible to moisture damage over time and aren't permitted in some areas due to their lack of fire resistance.

Tile roofs may be made of clay, ceramic, terra cotta, or concrete tiles.
These tiles are highly durable but require special structural considerations and engineering to support their weight. Tile roofs can last 50–100 years depending on the quality of the tile and installation. Since clay is porous, these types of roofs don’t last as long in wet climates or those with extreme temperature changes.

A flat roof is a roof with a minimal incline that's under 3:12 in slope is called a low-slope roof. These roofs are not entirely flat as you need some slope to get the water to shed to an edge or a drain.
Low-slope roofs require waterproof materials such as bitumen, tar and gravel, metal, or rubber membrane. A flat roof’s life span ranges from 10–25 years depending on the climate and material. This roof type ranges in price based on the material used and the tools and knowledge needed for installation.

Slate, a type of flat metamorphic stone, is one of the most expensive roofing materials. That’s because a slate roof can last as long as 75–100 years with little maintenance.
Slate stands up well to heat and cold and resists moisture and fungal growth. It’s also an insulator, making it good for energy conservation. Besides being expensive, slate tiles are heavy and fragile, requiring careful installation and reinforced support.

Not all roof damage requires the same type of repair work. Here are some of the most common roof repair types:

To understand the different parts of a roof, see the diagram below, as illustrated in our guide to the basics of roof systems:

You can possibly repair some minor roof issues yourself, including missing shingles or small leaks. You can buy basic shingles for $30–$40 per pack, and as long as you have a hammer, a pry bar, and the right fasteners, shingles are fairly easy to replace. Similarly, if the problem is a leak around a chimney, vent, or skylight, you can apply sealant yourself. Always consider your physical ability before attempting do-it-yourself (DIY) repairs, and take proper precautions when working on a roof, especially if it’s a multistory house.

“A roofing problem does not fix itself. The problem can snowball into other issues, such as mold and wood rot,” explains John Foley, the New England branch manager of Long Home Products.

You’ll want to hire a professional roofing company for any moderate or major problems to avoid improper installation. There’s a reason roofing contractors must have a current license: major roof repair requires knowledge, experience, and specialized equipment.

“A single bundle of shingles is going to weigh at least 70 pounds. So, you’re going to have to carry 80 bundles of shingles up a ladder, which is simply unsafe anyway,” Foley said. “The average homeowner doesn’t have ladder elevators or that type of $10,000 equipment to get these things on the roof safely.”

Improperly installing even small sections of roofing material can cause big problems, such as water leaking into the roof and internal structure. Though labor costs can be steep, professional roofing is worth the price to protect your home.

Repairing your roof is worth it because it protects your home from further damage and costly issues down the line. While roof repairs can be expensive, it’s important to have them done right. This usually means hiring a licensed roofing contractor to perform repairs. You can do some small repairs yourself, but if you’re not confident in your abilities, consider whether you want to risk further damaging your roof and your home. Make sure to leave room in your home maintenance budget for roof repair, especially if you live in an area with high winds, salt in the air, or high precipitation levels.

Is it better to repair or replace a roof?

Roof repair will always cost less than roof replacement. If more than 30% of your roof is substantially damaged, it’s time to consider a replacement.

How much does it cost to repair a hole in the roof?

Depending on the size of the hole and the material of the roof, it can cost anywhere from $100–$1,000 to repair a hole in the roof.

How much does it cost to replace 1,000 square feet of roof?

It can cost from $4,000–$20,000 to replace 1,000 square feet of roof, depending on the type of roofing material used.

How long does it take to repair a roof?

It can take as little as a few hours to repair a roof with a minor problem, but a whole roof usually takes 3–5 days to replace.

Note: The cost data featured in this guide is based on contractor estimates from Angi and market research into product pricing.

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