What a new roof costs in Downriver & Metro Detroit

Ballpark prices by roof size

Roof size is the surface of the roof, not the floor space of the house. A two-story home has a smaller roof than a ranch with the same floor space, so it often costs less to roof.

Ballpark for planning, not a quote. Normal steepness, one old layer, no flat sections or skylights. A roofer confirms the real price on site.

Good, Better, Best: what you're paying for

• Good. Standard architectural shingle, two layers. Does the job for most homes.
• Better. More material to wear down, a richer look, and longer protection against algae streaks.
• Best. Rubberized shingle that stays flexible in the cold, with a Class 4 impact rating (some insurers discount it).

What moves the price up or down

One layer, solid wood and an attic that already breathes well usually land near the low end. These push it higher.

• Steepness. A roof you can't walk on takes longer and needs more safety gear. Steep roofs (8/12 to 9/12) run about 10% more, very steep ones (10/12 and up) about 20% more.
• Old layers. Every old layer has to come off and be hauled away. Two or three layers cost more to tear off than one. Tear-off
• Bad wood. Soft or rotted wood is only found once the old shingles come off. A good quote names a price per sheet ahead of time. Roof deck
• Flat sections. Porches, balconies and additions with flat roofs need a different roof, not shingles. Figure about $1,800 per square (100 sq ft).
• Skylights. Replacing a skylight with the roof runs about $2,500 each. Leaving the old one in place usually means it leaks first. Skylights
• Chimneys, walls and valleys. Each one needs its own metal flashing. More of them means more labor and more places to get right. Chimney
• Attic air. If the attic can't breathe, a good roofer adds intake at the soffits and exhaust up high. It costs more now and saves the shingles later. Attic ventilation

What Michigan winters mean for your roof

Southeast Michigan winters freeze and thaw over and over. Snow melts on a warm roof, refreezes at the cold edge and builds an ice dam that pushes water up under the shingles.

Two things stop that leak. Ice & water shield, a sticky membrane sealed to the wood, goes on at the edges, down the valleys and along walls. And a well-vented attic keeps the roof cold, so the ice dam doesn't form in the first place.

• Ice & water shield→
• Attic ventilation→
• Perimeter defense→

Before you sign a quote

• Get it in writing. Tear-off down to the wood, how many rows of ice & water at the edges, new drip edge, the shingle line, and a price per sheet for bad wood.
• Compare what's included, not just the total. The cheapest quote often skips steps the others list.
• Know who stands behind the work. The shingle warranty and the roofer's workmanship warranty are two different things.
• Take your time after a storm. Be careful with anyone who knocks on your door and wants you to sign the same day.

Where this guide applies

Homes in Southgate, Wyandotte, Taylor, Lincoln Park, Allen Park, Trenton, Riverview, Dearborn, Livonia, Westland and the rest of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. If you'd like, EzerDoma can connect you with a roofer who works in your area once you've seen your range.