For a Houston asphalt shingle roof in 2026, plan on roughly $375 to $650 per roofing square (100 square feet) installed, tear-off included. A typical 30-square roof, about what a 2,000 sq ft one-story home needs, lands around $11,250 to $19,500. Pitch, stories, decking repairs and material choice decide where you fall in that range.
Nobody likes hearing "it depends" when they are trying to figure out whether a new roof fits the budget this year. So instead of stopping there, this guide shows the same per-square ranges and assumptions our 60-second roof estimate uses, explains what moves a quote up or down, and gives you a checklist for comparing bids. Every figure here is preliminary. A firm price always comes after someone measures your roof and looks at the decking.
How much does a new roof cost per square in Houston?
Roofers price in squares. One square covers 100 square feet of roof surface. For installed architectural asphalt shingles in the Houston and Spring area, including removing the old roof, our current planning range is $375 to $650 per square. Here is what that looks like at common roof sizes:
| Roof size | Roof surface | Preliminary range (asphalt, one story) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 squares | about 2,000 sq ft | $7,500 to $13,000 |
| 25 squares | about 2,500 sq ft | $9,400 to $16,300 |
| 30 squares | about 3,000 sq ft | $11,250 to $19,500 |
| 35 squares | about 3,500 sq ft | $13,100 to $22,800 |
| 40 squares | about 4,000 sq ft | $15,000 to $26,000 |
On two-story homes we add roughly 8% for access and labor, and roughly 16% on three stories. Our pricing guide explains each cost factor in more detail.
How do I figure out how many squares my roof is?
Your roof is bigger than your floor plan. Start with the ground footprint of the house (living area divided by the number of stories), then account for three things: eaves that hang past the walls, the slope of the roof, and the cut-off waste at hips, valleys and ridges. For a house with a moderate 6/12 to 8/12 pitch, those factors add up to about 1.5 times the footprint. A flatter roof comes in lower, a steep one higher.
So a 2,000 sq ft one-story home with a moderate pitch works out to roughly 30 squares. A 2,600 sq ft two-story home has a 1,300 sq ft footprint and needs closer to 19 or 20 squares, plus the two-story labor premium. That is why a larger two-story house can cost less to roof than a sprawling single-story one.
What makes a roof replacement cost more?
- Steep pitch. Crews move slower and need more safety equipment on a 10/12 roof than on a 5/12.
- Complexity. Every valley, dormer, skylight and chimney has to be flashed by hand.
- Extra layers. The residential building code does not allow a new layer over a roof that already has two or more (IRC R908.3.1), and every layer removed adds labor and disposal.
- Decking repairs. Rotted plywood only shows up once the old shingles come off. This is the most common reason a final invoice differs from the estimate.
- Ventilation and flashing. Correcting a poorly vented attic or replacing rusted flashing costs more up front and protects the new shingles.
- Material. The shingle line, or a move to metal or tile, changes the whole number.
How much more do metal, tile or impact-resistant roofs cost?
Planning prices compared with asphalt
| Material | Planning price in our estimate tool |
|---|---|
| Architectural asphalt shingles | Baseline: $375 to $650 per square installed, tear-off included |
| Impact-resistant (Class 4) asphalt shingles | Between standard architectural shingles and metal; the premium depends on the product line |
| Metal | About 1.9 times the asphalt price |
| Tile | About 2.3 times the asphalt price |
Some Texas insurers price impact-resistant roofs differently, and TDI notes that resistant materials may qualify for discounts, so ask your insurer before deciding. Our brands page covers the manufacturers we install.
What does a roof repair cost instead?
Many roofs do not need replacing yet. Typical repairs such as resealing flashing, replacing a pipe boot or fixing a wind-damaged section fall in a preliminary range of about $450 to $1,900, with larger repairs above that. If your roof is between 15 and 25 years old, our repair-or-replace checklist helps you decide which way to go.
How do I compare two roofing quotes fairly?
Compare the lines, not the totals. A written proposal should spell out:
- Tear-off of every existing layer and disposal
- Decking replacement price per sheet, and who decides when it is needed
- Underlayment type, plus leak barrier in valleys and around penetrations
- Purpose-made starter strip and matching hip and ridge caps
- New flashing, drip edge and pipe boots, not reused ones
- Ventilation plan (intake and exhaust)
- Exact manufacturer and product line
- Workmanship warranty term in writing; ours is tiered at 5, 10 or 15 years, explained on our warranty page
A bid that is $3,000 lower because it reuses old flashing and skips starter strip is not really cheaper.
Will insurance or financing help pay for a new roof?
If a storm damaged the roof, a claim may cover some or all of the replacement, subject to your deductible and your insurer's decision. Insurers do not replace roofs just because they are old. We document damage with photos, measurements and a written estimate; see our insurance claim help page. Texas law requires you to pay your own deductible, and no contractor may waive or rebate it. If you want to spread out the cost, ask about current options on our financing page.
Roof cost questions
Why won't roofers give an exact price over the phone?
Because size, pitch, layers and hidden decking damage change the price, and none of them can be confirmed from a phone call. A preliminary range is honest; a flat price without measuring is a guess.
Is the 60-second estimate a binding quote?
No. It gives a preliminary range based on your home's size, stories, pitch and material. Your firm, itemized price comes after a free inspection and measurement.
How long does a roof replacement take?
Most residential replacements we do take one to two days, weather permitting. Larger or more complex roofs can take longer. Our installation day page walks through the schedule.
Want your own number? Get your 60-second roof estimate, then book a free inspection so we can measure and confirm it, or call PL Roofing & Remodeling at 832-860-0354. Hablamos español.
