Pricing guide
What sets the price of a new roof
You won't find price figures here. A number on a website can't account for your house, the material and the season. What this guide does is explain what goes into a roofing price, so two quotes can be compared properly.
What goes into the price
Size and shape
Roofs are measured in squares of roof area. Dormers, valleys, hips and steep pitches add labor and waste.
Material
Asphalt, cedar, slate, metal and membranes differ widely in material and labor, and so do product lines within each.
Layers to remove
How many old roofs come off, and how heavy they are. Slate and multiple layers take longer to strip.
Deck repairs
Soft or rotten sheathing found after tear-off is usually priced per sheet. Agree the rate in writing.
Ice barrier and underlayment
How far the membrane runs up from the eaves and into valleys, and what goes over the rest of the deck.
Flashing and chimneys
New metal at chimneys, walls, skylights and valleys, and any masonry repair, add time and material.
Ventilation
Adding ridge vents or soffit vents where the attic has none.
Access and protection
Steep lots, tight driveways, gardens, stone walls and trees all affect how the job is set up.
Permits and approvals
Permit fees, inspections and, in a historic district, the approval process before work begins.
Comparing quotes
Two quotes for the same roof can differ for good reasons. One may run ice barrier further up the roof, replace all the flashing and add ridge ventilation; another may reuse flashing and charge deck repairs separately. Lay the quotes side by side and compare the scope line by line before comparing totals.
Ask every contractor for the same things: the product names, how far the ice barrier runs, what happens with rotten wood and at what rate, who files the permit, the workmanship warranty and the payment schedule. Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection warns about pressure to pay a large portion of the cost up front (DCP), so question a big deposit before materials arrive.
Before you sign
What a Connecticut roofing contract should show
- The contractor's name, address and DCP registration number, matching elicense.ct.gov
- The full scope, materials by product name, and how deck repairs are priced
- A start date and a completion date
- The notice of your right to cancel
- The payment schedule and both warranties
Want a real number?
Get the roof inspected and priced
One call puts you through to an independent roofing contractor serving Norwalk, Westport, Darien, New Canaan and Wilton. Ask for an inspection and a written price for the new roof.
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