Roof Repair Costs – How high do they typically run?

Roof repair cost can run very high at times.  Leaving aside total roof replacement, the typical roof repairs tend to be, new shingles over existing installations (there are regulations in some places on the amount of times this is permissible), replacing plywood and shingles in a small roof area and using cement to re-seal seams (‘patch’ work).

Also, replacing metal ‘flashing’ seals around skylights and chimneys, and also guttering work. The most common roof repairs include replacing plywood, shingles and flashing on development of a leak. The average roof area requiring work tends to be 10′ x 10′.  With regard to roof repair costs, some homeowners try to patch the leak in the roof using cement.  This is really not a cost effective approach.

Roof repair costs – Cost breakdown

The shopping list and prices for this project are:

• Sheets of roofing-quality plywood measuring 5/8″ thickness – approximately $20 a sheet
• 4 sheets required = $80
• A standard square of shingles measuring 100 square feet – $100
• 1 square required = $100
• A standard roll of roofing nails for an air-powered gun
• 1 roll of 1 1/4″ galvanized nails = $65
• Roofing cement – $22 per gallon

Roof repair costs: Labor

A roof repair project, although only requiring basic tools, can involve more than just basic labor skills. For example a structural issue causing a roof leak may only be detected as an underlying problem by a skilled professional.  Also, more complex work involves chimneys, skylights, flashing or valleys. For these reasons homeowners consult professionals to get the job done.  Depending on location and type of job, charges tend to be around $45-$75 per hour, and can take two full business days to finish.

Roof repair costs:  Enhancement and improvement costs

Running all new shingles – a second and sometimes third course of shingles is requested by some homeowners to address the leak problem.  The cost to install standard asphalt shingles over existing shingles or shakes, according to HomeInspectorLocator.com, will be around $1.25 to $2.00 per square foot.

Roof repair costs: Skylights

It is more expensive sorting out leaks developed in skylights.  The bigger cost is a result of having to clear the entire surface around the skylight of shingles, and new flashing surrounding the fixture has to be installed before the new shingles are laid.

On average, roofing experts put the cost as $450 for materials and labor on this type of relatively small project.