Labor

• One of the major costs of roofing installation is the price of labor, which varies by location across the country. The average roofer makes a mean $18.21 per hour. Most work for foundation, structure and building exterior contractors, where wages are $18.22, almost exactly the mean. Those that work in residential building construction earn less at $15.13 per hour. The state with the highest pay for roofers is Hawaii, where a high cost of living drives pay to $26.20 per hour. For cities, the most expensive roofers work in Rockford, Illinois, with means at $32.04 per hour, followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, with mean salaries at $29.51 per hour. All information is from the May 2010 occupational employment statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  
  

Basics

• According to the website Cost Owl, at the time of publication, a 2,000-square foot shingle roof costs from $2,500 to $3,000, with high bids at around $5,000 to $6,000 or more. This includes the cost of shingles, installation labor and for removing and disposing of the old shingles. A typical bundle of shingles costs $20 to $25. The best shingles can run $10 to $20 more but can last 25 years or so. Contractors typically include in their estimates the cost of renting a dumpster for disposal. If not, this amenity runs from $250 to $300.
  
  

Considerations

• Other additions to the cost of roofing installation include the height and pitch of the roof, whether it is easily accessible and free of surrounding foliage and power lines and the amount of cutting needed to remove old shingles. If several layers of shingles need removal, labor costs could double. If gutters and flashing need replacing, this costs an additional $2,000 to $3,000 for a 2,000-square-foot roof. Get several estimates to find the best mix of price, time and cost. Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured and that he secures all necessary permits.
  
  

Materials

• Roof installation varies by material. Concrete tiles at the time of publication, for example, cost about $4 to $9 per square foot, including installation. This prices an average 2,000-square-foot roof at $8,000 to $18,000. Ceramic tiles run $6 to $12 per square foot, putting the costs of the same roof at $12,000 to $24,000. Synthetic slate costs $7 to $12 installed, pricing the average roof at $14,000 to $24,000. A natural slate roof is expensive at $25 to $35 per square foot, including installation. This makes the average roof cost $50,000 to $70,000. However, natural slate is extremely durable. It lasts over 100 years and can raise the property value of a house.