What is a roof replacement, and how much does it cost?
Short answer. Roof replacement is the complete removal of the existing roof covering down to the deck and installation of a new roof system: repaired decking, drip edge, leak barrier, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, shingles and ridge caps. In North Georgia a typical asphalt shingle replacement costs roughly $8,000 to $16,000, depending on size, pitch and materials.
Replacement vs the alternatives
- Repair: fixes one area, such as a pipe boot, a flashing or a few shingles. The rest of the roof stays.
- Overlay or recover: new shingles laid over one existing layer, without a tear-off. Cheaper upfront, but the deck goes unseen and the next roof costs more to remove.
- Replacement: everything comes off and a full new system goes on. This is the standard for worn or storm-damaged roofs.
How the price is built
Roofers measure the roof in squares, each 100 square feet, then add waste for cuts at hips and valleys. That quantity drives shingles, underlayment and labor. On top of it come tear-off and disposal, replacement decking by the sheet, drip edge, leak barrier, starter, ridge caps, flashing, pipe boots, ventilation and any permit. How the measuring works is covered in how roofers measure a roof.
Typical North Georgia ranges
- Small roofs: roughly $7,000 to $11,000.
- Average homes: roughly $8,000 to $16,000.
- Large homes: roughly $15,000 to $25,000.
- Complex or steep roofs: $20,000 and up.
Storm damage can change who pays. If hail or wind damaged the roof, homeowners insurance may cover the replacement minus your deductible. The detailed cost factors are in roof replacement cost in Georgia, and the layers themselves in roof anatomy explained.