Summary:
What Determines Your Roof Replacement Cost
Your roof replacement cost isn’t pulled from thin air. Florida homeowners typically spend between $11,000 and $30,000 for a full roof replacement, depending on size, materials, and complexity.
The biggest factors? Your roof size, the materials you choose, and how complex your roof design is. Labor alone accounts for 40-60% of your total project cost, which is why getting multiple quotes matters so much.
But here’s what most contractors won’t tell you upfront: your location in Broward or Palm Beach County affects pricing too, especially with Florida’s strict building codes and hurricane requirements.
How Roof Size and Complexity Drive Your Quote
Roof size is measured in squares (100 square feet each), and larger roofs simply require more materials, underlayment, flashing, and components. That’s the easy part to understand.
The complexity piece trips up more homeowners. Steeper roofs are more challenging and time-consuming to work on, requiring additional safety equipment like harnesses and fall protection systems. This slows down the process and increases labor costs.
Your roof’s shape matters just as much. Multiple angles, valleys, dormers, and skylights all add time and materials to your project. Complex roofs with multiple angles, hips, valleys, or steep slopes take longer and require more effort, translating to higher labor costs compared to a simple gable roof.
Think of it this way: a straightforward rectangular roof is like painting a simple wall, while a complex roof with multiple levels and angles is like painting a detailed mural. Both need paint, but one takes significantly more time and skill.
The slope of your roof is often overlooked but important. Low-slope roofs require unique materials, while steep roofs (steeper than 6:12 pitch) require specialized training and safety gear, which can substantially raise prices.
Material Choices That Make or Break Your Budget
The type of roofing material is one of the largest contributing factors to your overall roof replacement cost. The difference between materials can mean thousands of dollars on your final bill.
Asphalt shingles cost $5 to $9 per square foot with a 20-25 year lifespan, making them the most budget-friendly option. But in Florida’s climate, you might want to consider something more durable.
Standing seam metal roofing lasts 40-70 years and costs $10 to $35 per square foot, while 5V metal roofing lasts closer to 30 years at $7 to $12 per square foot. Yes, metal costs more upfront, but higher-end materials often come with longer lifespans and comprehensive warranties, potentially offsetting the initial investment through less maintenance and replacement over time.
Clay tiles, a Florida classic, last 50 to 100+ years and cost $12 to $21 per square foot. They’re popular in South Florida for good reason—they handle our climate beautifully and add serious curb appeal.
For flat or low-slope sections, you’re looking at TPO ($4-$10 per square foot, 20-30 years), EPDM ($4-$14 per square foot, 25-30 years), or modified bitumen ($4-$8 per square foot, 15-20 years).
Here’s the thing about materials: cheaper isn’t always better in Florida. Our hurricanes, heat, and humidity can shorten the lifespan of budget materials, meaning you might end up replacing your roof sooner than expected.
Labor Costs and Regional Factors in South Florida
Labor is a significant component of roof replacement costs, ranging from $3 to $7 per square foot in Florida, depending on factors like roof complexity, pitch, and local labor rates.
Florida generally has higher average costs compared to most places because the cost of living is higher. That’s just the reality of our market.
But there’s more to it than basic labor rates. Florida’s specific building codes and the need for hurricane-resistant installations can also influence labor costs. Your contractor needs to follow stricter requirements here than in many other states.
Florida Building Code Requirements That Affect Cost
The 2024 Florida Building Code has rolled out major updates for roofing, aimed at making roofs last longer and hold up better against wild weather, with changes based on recent hurricane lessons.
Roof sheathing now must be thicker—minimum thickness went from 7/16 inch to 5/8 inch for most homes, with new rules requiring more nails per sheet, especially in windy areas. Only one layer of shingles is allowed now (compared to two layers previously), to reduce roof weight and improve wind resistance.
If you need to repair more than 25% of your roof in a year, you have to replace the whole thing—and we’re stricter about counting damage from different incidents within the same 12 months.
In Broward and Miami-Dade counties, you’re in a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, where local code requires that a building’s entire envelope (including windows, doors, and eaves) incorporates lab-tested, wind-resistant design.
These aren’t just bureaucratic hurdles—they’re requirements that protect your investment. But they do add to your project cost, which is why it’s important to work with contractors who understand Florida’s specific requirements.
Florida requires permits for roofing work, with fees ranging from $150 to $500, and your contractor should handle this process for you.
Hidden Costs and Additional Factors
Removing and disposing of your existing roofing material can cost between $0.40-$2.00 per square foot, depending on the material and roof characteristics. Most contractors include this in their quotes, but it’s worth confirming.
Underlayment replacement is often required and costs between $1.50 and $2.10 per square foot. This protective layer helps prevent water damage if your shingles crack.
Here’s where things get tricky: your contractor won’t know if there’s damage to your decking until after your existing roofing material is removed. Decking replacement gets added to your project cost after you’ve already received a quote.
Old, damaged underlayment can raise your roof replacement cost, but total costs shouldn’t increase by more than a couple hundred dollars.
The key is working with contractors who are upfront about these possibilities. At Aastro Roofing, we’ve been doing this for four generations—we know what to look for and how to prepare you for potential additional costs before we start tearing off your old roof.
How to Compare Roof Replacement Quotes Effectively
Get 2-3 quotes—one quote doesn’t give you enough information, while more than three can lead to confusion and decision fatigue. Don’t settle on the first roofing contractor you talk to. Get quotes from at least three contractors to see who can give you the best deal.
Don’t be tempted to go with the lowest bid without considering quality of materials and workmanship. Make sure the quote includes high-quality materials and a solid workmanship warranty. Ensure the quote is comprehensive and includes all potential costs, including permits, inspections, and disposal of old roofing materials.
The difference between an estimate and a quote matters too. An estimate is a rough guess of costs, while a quote is the actual amount you’ll pay. The two terms are used interchangeably but have very different meanings.
When you’re ready for accurate quotes in Broward or Palm Beach County, we at Aastro Roofing provide detailed written estimates that account for all factors affecting your specific project. We’ve completed over 400 projects with five-star ratings because we believe in transparent pricing and quality work that stands the test of time.
