Average Cost of a New Roof in Virginia

 Labor costs for a new roof in Virginia

Labor is anywhere from $150 to $300 per hour and will depend upon a number of different factors  Usually the higher rates are charged by the bigger roofing companies but they can be quicker than one man on his own so if possible, see if you can get your roofer to commit to the total number of man hours to fit your new roof or just divide the cost for labor by his hourly rate as that will also give you a steer.  It’s six of one and half a dozen as to whether you choose a smaller outfit with a lower rate who will invariably take longer or a bigger firm who charge more but who will be quicker.

Why are asphalt shingles so popular?

Asphalt shingles are popular because they are lightweight and easy to fit so minimise labor costs, they also are economical in terms of price point and look good.  However, asphalt shingles don’t have the longest lifespan.  They are manufactured containing oil and over time, the oil will dry out. Oil allows the shingles to expand and contract in response to different weather conditions but as the shingles age, they dry and lose this ability and become less weatherproof and watertight. The average lifespan for asphalt shingles is around 15 years on a well-maintained roof.

Read about roof prices in other states:

• Roof prices in Florida
• Roof prices in New Jersey 
• New roof prices in Michigan 
• New roof cost in Maryland 

Roofing materials versus labor charges, which is the easiest one to reduce?

Probably the choice of roofing material as it is quite hard to change the labor rate for your roof as most of the triggers you are stuck with.  Here are some of the markers which can increase your labor bill:-

• Roofing materials – asphalt shingles are quick to fit because they are simple and lightweight, other roofing materials may incur higher labor charges
• Access – if the roofer has easy access to the house then it is going to be simple to park up a dump truck to tear down the old roofing material, poor access can make this a time-consuming and more costly process.  Equally, if the roof shingles can be delivered by truck straight onto the roof then this will also save a lot of time
• Roof pitch – the steeper the roof the more difficult it is to work on and this can increase man hours
• Poor roof condition – this can be an unfortunate revelation when the old roof is torn down, there could be rot or mold and/or the roof deck may need upgrading because it is not in line with the current building code. Always make sure your roofer has completed a thorough inspection before he quotes and that might even involve lifting a section of the roof to check the condition of the timber, it’s better that than having any nasty surprises later on
• Layered roofs – also called overlay roofs, this was a popular practice as it saved tearing down the old roof – time and expense. You might have two or even three roofs on an older house and this will increase tearing down costs and dump fees

Cutting the cost of a new roof in Virginia

• Go cheaper on your shingles choice, asphalt shingles come in a range of price bands with an economy or budget range – the roofing material will make up 50%-60% of the overall cost. Your roofer may be able to source a good rate or you can take advantage of sales and special offers at your local roofing depot.  If your original choice of shingle or roofing material was heavy you could opt for something lighter which will save the costs of upgrading the roof deck.  Don’t forget the underlayment, there are a variety of options for this with a further opportunity to save money
• Keep the roof design simple, if you are going for a re-model then costs can easily spiral out of control
• Look around for federal or local roof grants, your roofer should know what’s available currently.  Many are aimed at low-income households but there is also a rich vein of grants aimed at green roofs and sustainable choices. A grant won’t pay for the entire cost of the roof, nowhere near in fact but it will make a bit of a dent in the bill.  Just remember that these grants all come with terms and conditions attached, like repaying the money if you move house within a certain period of time so make sure you always read the fine print

Are you looking to also raise your roof to increase room size? Learn more about raising roof costs.

Don’t get caught out!

It’s easy to think you have figured out what your new roof should cost and then find you are way off the mark, here are some tips and tricks to avoid getting caught out.

• The cost for shingles at the roofing depot is without labor and also based on roof squares.  Your roofer may charge more per roof square as it might require more roofing material than you think to cover one roof square depending on the design of the roof and wastage
• Remember to add in the cost of building permits
• Make sure the estimate is based on a very thorough roofing inspection both internally and externally, this way you are less likely to get caught out with hidden defects
• Ask your roofer if there is anything that is not on his estimate that you should know about, for instance, most roofers contract out the installation of the scaffolding and this can often be presented as a separate invoice or you might need to pay for the services of an architect or surveyor
• Don’t forget your rainwater goods – soffits, eaves boards and guttering – this may all need upgrading or replacing
• When you have accepted an estimate for a new roof, keep back 10%-15% of the quoted cost as wriggle room, for unforeseen delays or problems