Tags: Roofing, Replacement
Homes are an expensive investment, and roofs offer protection from the weather. The average cost of a roof replacement in Maryland depends on a number of factors, but homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $25,000. A variety of different residential roofing materials are common in the state, and the product that is used is one of the chief factors in the cost of a project. Asphalt singles are among the most affordable and offer years of protection. Cedar shakes, slate and clay tiles are other common materials and are generally more expensive that asphalt shingles. The pitch of a roof is another issue in the average cost of a roof replacement in Maryland. Flat roofs require special materials that are generally more expensive. Steep roofs may also have higher expenses because they require additional labor.
Material Choices
Maryland homeowners have several choices for their roofing material, and asphalt shingles are among the most affordable. The product is made from a mat of tar and fiberglass and has granules that come in a variety of finished colors. Asphalt shingles are generally sold by the square. One square is enough material to cover 100-square-feet of roofing surface and represents the area of a square that is 10-feet on each side. Asphalt shingles are available in a range of qualities and usually run from $50 to $100 per square. The most affordable shingles are usually backed with a 20-year warranty. The top of the line products are generally warrantied for at least 40 years. Slate and cedar shakes are other common materials, but they are much more expensive than asphalt. Homeowners can expect to pay up to $1,000 per square for slate, and about $500 per square for quality cedar shakes.
Installation Expenses
The general rule of thumb in the roofing industry is that the cost of material and labor is about the same. For this reason, a home that requires $4,000 in materials will run an average of $4,000 for labor. Because some roofs need to be removed before new material is installed, the labor on these projects can run over twice the material cost. Some homes have more than a single layer of roofing material. In addition, many older homes have cedar shakes that have been covered with asphalt shingles. This practice was common in Maryland for decades and leads to a more expensive roof.
Pitch, Size and Slope
Because a variety of different roof styles are found across the state, the installation costs vary with particular buildings. Large homes that have simple roofs are among the cheapest to install, and contractors usually charge anywhere from $40 to $65 per square. Homes that have steep pitches and complex angles are labor intensive and cost more. Access is another issue that is especially pertinent for homes that need to have old roofing material removed. More labor is necessitated for homes that are located some distance from truck access. The increased labor leads to higher prices, and homeowners should expect to pay more for homes that are surrounded by bushes and mature landscaping.
Finding the average cost of a roof replacement in Maryland depends on a number of factors. The material that is used is one of the chief influences, and products range in cost from $50 to $1000 per square. The size and location of a home is another feature that will influence the cost of a Maryland roofing project.