What does a roof cost for a 1,700 sq ft house?
Short answer. A 1,700 sq ft one story house usually carries about 20 to 23 squares of roof before the garage, and a two story about 10 to 12, so most North Georgia replacements fall within the typical range of roughly $8,000 to $16,000. Pitch is the biggest swing factor: a steep roof on the same footprint has more surface and costs more to work on.
How pitch changes the math
Pitch is rise over 12 inches of run. On a 4/12 roof the surface is only about 5 percent larger than the flat footprint. At 8/12 it is about 20 percent larger, and at 12/12 about 41 percent. So a 1,700 sq ft ranch can need anywhere from about 20 squares to well over 25 depending on slope alone.
Why steep roofs cost more than their extra area
- Safety: above roughly 7/12, crews work in harnesses with roof jacks and toe boards.
- Speed: every bundle carried and every row nailed takes longer on a steep plane.
- Estimating: insurance style estimates add steep labor charges in tiers, which reflects real cost.
Reading your own pitch
From the street: if the roof looks gentle enough to walk, it is likely 4/12 to 6/12. If it looks like an A, it is probably 8/12 or steeper. In the attic, a level and tape measure on a rafter give an exact number.
Other things to price on a 1,700 sq ft home
- An attached garage, often 5 to 8 more squares.
- Decking replacement found during tear-off, priced per sheet.
- Ridge vent and intake balance, since many homes this size are under ventilated.
For the full method, read how roofers measure a roof, and for the ventilation piece, roof ventilation basics.