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Need to replace your roof? It’s one of the more expensive home improvement projects, but also one of the most crucial ones. The right roof for Floridians needs to hold up to heat, humidity, rain, and hurricanes. One the one hand, this makes the decision easier, because there are only a handful of roof types recommended for Florida homes. On the other hand, it can be stressful to feel you are “locked in” to the costs of those materials. In this article, we’ll look at roof replacement cost in Florida for four different materials: asphalt singles, metal roofs, tile roofs, and slate roofs. From finding the best price to finding the best contractor, we will break down all the steps to take to get the right material at the right cost.
How Much Does a New Roof Cost in Florida?
Accounting for the most popular materials as well as a range of home sizes, the cost for a new roof in Florida ranges from about $10,000 on the low end to $31,000 on the high end, with the average cost coming in right around $17,000.
That’s a wide range! The best way to figure out what your own project will cost is to get quotes from roofing contractors. In the meantime, let's look at costs by material as well as by square footage.
Roof Material and Labor Costs in Florida
Materials
The material you choose for your roof will have the single largest impact on your project’s overall cost. Let’s look at the cost per square foot of each material, what it costs installed (meaning, the total for material plus labor), and the cost for a 2,000 square foot house. We assumed a less steep roof for the low end of the cost range and a steeper roof for the high end of the cost range.
Asphalt Shingles
- Material cost: $1 to $2 per square foot.
- Cost installed: $3 to $5 per square foot.
- Average cost for a 2,000 square foot home: $6,600 to $12,500
Asphalt shingles tend to be the most popular roofing choice due to their low cost. They are moderately durable, but not as wind resistant as the other roof materials on this list. In Florida, their lifespan is about 15 years.
Metal Roofs
- Material cost: $3 to $6 per square foot.
- Cost installed: $6 to $12 per square foot.
- Average cost for a 2,000 square foot home: $13,200 to $25,000
Though metal roofs are more expensive than asphalt shingles, they also withstand hurricanes better, are more energy efficient, and have a lifespan more than double that of asphalt. The higher upfront cost can be offset by savings on utility bills since metal roofs reflect sunlight and heat away from homes. You should also evaluate how often you may need an asphalt shingle roof repaired and consider what you’ll save on repairs for a metal roof. For example, you may be replacing damaged or missing shingles annually depending on what storms your area has seen. Since metal roofs are more durable, they won’t need the same kind of upkeep.
Tile Roofs
- Material cost: $4 to $7 per square foot.
- Cost installed: $8 to $15 per square foot.
- Average cost for a 2,000 square foot home: $17,600 to $30,000
The most common tile roof types in Florida are clay and concrete. Clay is the more expensive of the two. Both have excellent durability, standing up to heat, humidity, and hurricane-force winds of 125 miles per hour. Should any tiles suffer cracks or other damage, they can be replaced. In Florida, a tile roof can last up to 50 years, and sometimes even longer.
Slate Roofs
- Material cost: $8 to $15 per square foot.
- Cost installed: $15 to $30 per square foot.
- Average cost for a 2,000 square foot home: $33,000 to $43,000
Slate is a natural material and is easily the most durable option on this list. It also has the longest lifespan, lasting up to 100 years. However, it’s also one of the most expensive materials on the market. This is partly due to its weight. Slate tiles are heavy, making them more labor intensive to transport and install. Sometimes the roof’s structure will need to be reinforced so it can hold up to the slate’s weight.
A roofing professional can help you figure out which of these options will work best for your home and your budget.
A Note About Florida Labor Costs
Labor costs vary based on where in the state you are located as well as on how difficult the material you choose is to install. Labor costs can increase if there is any damage to your roof’s structure that needs to be repaired.
In Florida, you can expect labor costs to be higher in cities like Miami and Tampa compared to more rural parts of the state. On average, you can expect labor to make up somewhere between 40% and 60% of your roof replacement cost.
What Else Impacts Project Costs?
Aside from labor and materials, here are some other elements of a roof replacement that can impact the final cost.
How Big and How Steep Is the Roof?
Your roof’s square footage won’t be the same as your home’s square footage. How many stories your home is as well as how steep your roof is will both impact how many square feet of materials you need. A steeper roof, for example, will need more materials than a roof with a low pitch.
Roof pitch also impacts how difficult it is to install a new roof. A very steep roof will be more difficult to work on, and that will also increase labor charges.
Permit Fees
Getting a permit for your roof replacement can cost anywhere between $200 and $500, and like labor costs, can vary based on how complex your specific roof is. Your contractor should pull the permit as part of their work, but you can ask to see this cost as a line item in your quote.
Additional Features
Do you have a chimney? What about skylights? Anything installed into or on your roof will increase project complexity, and with it, the overall cost.
Removing the Old Roof
Just like installing a new roof, the cost for removing the old one will vary based on material and complexity. On top of the labor charges for getting the old roof off, there will also be a disposal fee.
Fixing Damage
Once the old roof is removed, you may discover unexpected damage that needs to be repaired. Ask any contractors you get quotes from what they recommend you budget for any surprise repairs as well as the types of damage that are common to find.
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Tips for Saving Money on Your Roof Replacement
Get Three to Four Quotes
Comparing prices among three to four roofing contractors is one of the best ways to save money. Make sure you ask for a cost breakdown instead of just an estimate so you can see where costs differ among pros. You should be wary of quotes that are much higher or much lower than the rest.
Take Advantage of Seasonality
If you do not urgently need your roof replaced, you may be able to save money by scheduling the project during a contractor’s off-season. Typically, that means during the winter. You can ask any contractors you are getting a quote from if that option is available and what the overall savings might be.
Talk to Your Insurance
Though home insurance in Florida continues to have some of the highest premiums in the country and can mean waiting on the phone to get to talk to someone, it is still worth it to check and see if any parts of your roof replacement can be covered by insurance.
Look at the ROI of Your Roofing Material
If you are considering a more energy efficient material, like metal, you should also ask your contractor how much homeowners typically save on their utility bills. You may find the higher cost upfront makes sense based on how much you save on bills, or you may decide a cheaper material is better for your home.
How to Choose the Right Contractor
There are several ways to find a contractor, but finding the right contractor should include the following:
- Are they licensed and insured? This is not a job for a general handyperson as roofing work can be dangerous.
- How familiar are they with Florida weather and regulations? They should be well-versed in Florida’s strict building code requirements and have experience with a variety of materials and how those materials perform in heat, humidity, and severe weather events.
- Do you like them? Trusting your contractor and having good communication with them is a crucial element in reducing project stress.
- What does their estimate look like? If you ask for a cost breakdown of a quote, you want to look at what line items they include and compare it to what other contractors provide.
The Final Word on How Much It Costs to Replace a Roof in Florida
Florida’s heat, humidity, and severe weather like hurricanes all make roof replacements more complex and can, in some cases, also make it more expensive. By getting expert advice and quotes from a few contractors, you can narrow in on the best material as well as the right price.
Consider everything from how close your home is to the shore to how long you intend to live in your home before you make your final decision on what kind of roof you want.
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