How we figure out what a roof really costs.
Most cost pages online are one number with no origin, invented because a page needed a number. Here is where ours come from, how they are combined, what they exclude, and how wrong they can be for your specific house - because a range you understand the limits of is worth more than a figure you do not.
We build our roofing cost ranges from real sources, not guesses. As of 2026, we use the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for labor, Verisk for storm and claims data, list prices from makers like GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed, and local permit offices for fees. We refresh the data every month.
Where do our numbers come from?
Four trusted sources, all named, all checked. As of 2026.
| Source | What it tells us | How often we update |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | What roofers earn in your area, so labor in your price is real, not a guess. | Monthly |
| Verisk | Storm and hail claims data, so storm-belt prices reflect real demand and damage. | Monthly |
| Maker list prices (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed) | The real cost of shingles and materials, straight from the makers. | Each price change |
| Local permit offices | Permit and fee costs for your city, so nothing on your bill is a surprise. | Quarterly |
Want your local number? See roofing costs in your area →
How do we keep the data fresh?
Prices move every month. So do we.
- 01
We pull new data every month
Each month we grab the latest labor pay, maker prices, and storm data. Old numbers go out the door.
- 02
We build a metro Cost Index
We turn that data into one number for each metro - so a roof in Dallas reads different from one in Denver, like it should.
- 03
We show you a fair range
You see a low-to-high range that matches what roofers really charge right now. Not last year. Now.
What does this look like in a price?
Here is a sample of our 2026 ranges by material, for a typical home. Your number depends on your roof.
| Roofing material | Typical price range (2026) | Why it costs that |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | $6,000 - $18,000 | The most common pick. Lower material cost, faster to install. |
| Architectural shingles | $9,000 - $22,000 | Thicker and longer-lasting than basic shingles, for a bit more. |
| Metal roof | $14,000 - $40,000 | Pricey up front, but lasts decades and stands up to storms. |
| Tile roof | $18,000 - $45,000 | Heavy, long-lasting, and slower to install - so labor runs higher. |
These are ranges, not your final bill. Get a free estimate for your roof →
Why can you trust these numbers?
Real sources, named
We tell you exactly where each number comes from. You can check it yourself. No black box.
Updated every month
Prices change, so we refresh the data monthly. The range you see is what roofers charge today.
Built on your area
Labor, storms, and permits change by ZIP. We use your local data, not one number for the whole country.
Honest, not hyped
We show a fair range, not a low number to reel you in. The same data roofers and insurers use.
We hold roofers to the same bar. See how we verify roofers →
The job will still be there next month.
It will just cost more, and you will be choosing in a hurry - which is how most people end up with the contractor they regret. Getting matched takes about a minute and costs nothing.
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