"How much does it cost to replace a roof?" is the first question almost every homeowner asks us, and it is a fair one. The honest answer is that nobody can give you a real number without getting on your roof. Online calculators guess at size and ignore everything underneath the shingles, and that is where most of the price difference between two jobs comes from.
Here is what we look at when we build an estimate for a home in Leesville, DeRidder, Lake Charles or Alexandria, so you know what you are paying for and can compare quotes fairly.
Roof size is measured in squares, not house square footage
Roofers measure in squares. One square is 100 square feet of roof surface. A house's living area and its roof area are not the same thing: overhangs, porches, garages and pitch all add roof surface that does not show up on the listing sheet.
Every estimate also includes a waste factor. A simple gable roof wastes very little material. A roof with hips, valleys and dormers needs more cuts, so more material is ordered than the measured area.
Pitch and how cut-up the roof is
A steep roof is slower and needs more safety setup. A roof with many valleys, dormers, chimneys and wall transitions takes longer and needs more flashing work. Two 25-square roofs can be very different jobs if one is a plain ranch and the other is a two-story with six valleys.
What is under the shingles
This is where estimates differ the most. If your house has two layers of shingles, both have to come off. Once the deck is exposed, any rotten or delaminated sheathing has to be replaced before new underlayment goes down. In our humidity, and under pine trees, soft decking is common around valleys, eaves and old leak spots.
A good estimate tells you how decking replacement is handled and priced, so you are not surprised on install day. Be cautious of any quote that assumes no wood will be needed on an older roof.
Material choice
Architectural asphalt shingles are the most common choice in west and central Louisiana. Heavier designer shingles and impact-rated lines cost more. Metal costs more upfront again, with exposed-fastener panel at the lower end and standing seam at the higher end. We carry Atlas, Owens Corning and CertainTeed systems and will show you the trade-offs side by side.
The parts you cannot see from the street
A roof is a system, not just shingles. These components make a real difference in how long it lasts and how it holds up in wind:
- Synthetic underlayment across the deck and ice-and-water membrane in valleys
- New drip edge and rake metal, not reused
- Starter strip at eaves and rakes, which is what keeps edges from peeling in wind
- New pipe boots, vents and flashing at walls and chimneys
- Balanced ventilation: soffit intake matched with ridge exhaust
- Hip and ridge caps made for the shingle line
Low-slope sections and carpentry
Many Louisiana homes have a back porch or addition with a pitch too low for shingles. Those sections need a membrane system and are priced separately. Rotten fascia and soffit found during tear-off are another common add. We point them out with photos before anything changes.
How to compare two roofing estimates
When you have more than one quote, put them side by side and check that they cover the same work:
- Full tear-off, or a layover on top of the old roof?
- How is decking replacement handled and priced?
- What underlayment, and is ice-and-water used in the valleys?
- Are drip edge, pipe boots and flashing new or reused?
- Is ventilation addressed, or just left as is?
- Which shingle line, and is the manufacturer warranty registered?
- Daily cleanup and magnet sweep for nails?
- Is the contractor licensed? You can look up any license with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
Will insurance pay for my new roof?
Homeowners insurance generally covers sudden damage, like wind or hail, and not normal wear and age. If you think a storm caused your problem, get a documented inspection first. Our guide to filing a roof insurance claim in Louisiana walks through the process.
The bottom line
The only accurate roof price is one based on measuring your roof and checking the decking. We do that for free, give you a written estimate, and walk you through the options.
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