How Much Does Roof Restoration Cost in 2024?
Save Thousands on Your Roof Makeover
If your roof is looking worn out and ragged, a restoration can breathe new life into it. But before calling a roofing company for an estimate, you probably want to know, how much roof restoration costs.
The cost to restore a roof can range widely, from $2 to $10 per square foot depending on factors like:
- Size
- Roof type (shingles, metal, tile, etc.)
- Condition of the roof
- Location and accessibility
- Additional repairs needed
The average homeowner spends between $5,000 to $10,000 to restore their roof. In this guide, we’ll break down the cost to restore various types of roof so you know what to budget for your roof overhaul.
What Does Roof Restoration Involve?
A roof restoration improves the look and function of your existing roof without completely replacing it. The process involves:
- Cleaning the roof – Removing moss, grime, and debris
- Repairing any damaged areas – Replacing missing or broken tiles/shingles
- Applying protective coatings – Adding elastomeric coatings to waterproof and extend the roof’s lifespan
In some cases, restorations also involve reinforcements like adding another layer of shingles over the existing ones. The goal is to extend the life of your roof by 5 to 20 years.
Factors That Influence the Cost of Roof Restoration
Roof Size
The size of your roof is one of the biggest aspect determining the total cost. Prices are usually based on the total square footage being restored. The larger the roof, the more time and material is required.
As examples, the average costs for different sizes are:
- 1,000 sq ft roof – $2,500-$5,000
- 1,500 sq ft – $3,500-$7,500
- 2,000 sq ft – $4,500-$10,000
- 2,500 sq ft – $6,500-$12,500
For a basic restoration on an average home, expect to pay around $100-$300 per square (100 sq ft). But that’s just an estimate, prices can vary higher or lower.
Roof Pitch and Slope
Steeper roofs with a higher pitch or slope will cost more to restore than low-slope roofs. This is because steep ones are more difficult and dangerous to work on, requiring additional safety equipment and prep work. Expect these to run $150 or more per square.
Roof Type and Material
Certain roofs like tile, metal, and slate are more complex and expensive to restore than asphalt shingle or flat roofs. The specific material affects how much work must go into surface preparation and waterproof coating. For example, cement tile roofs require re-cementing of tiles.
Here are average per square costs by material:
- Asphalt shingle roof: $80-$250 per sq
- Flat roof: $100-$300 per sq
- Tile roof: $350+ per sq
- Metal roofing: $200-$500 per sq
- Slate roof: $500+ per sq
Extent of Repairs Needed
The amount of repairs and preparation needed directly impacts the cost. If the roof is extremely damaged or has advanced deterioration, repairs will be more complex.
- Minor repairs (less than 25% of roof): +$1000-1500
- Moderate repairs (25-50%): +$2000-3500
- Major repairs (over 50%): +$4000+
Replacing decking or underlayment also ups the price. As does extensive surface preparation like pressure washing or removing multiple layers of old roofing.
Location
Roof restoration costs per square metre in Australia vary by region. Some general price ranges:
- Sydney – $400-600
- Melbourne – $350-550
- Brisbane – $300-500
- Perth – $350-550
- Adelaide – $280-450
In major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, prices tend to be higher due to greater demand and labour costs. Adelaide and Perth have more affordable roof restoration costs.
Regional and rural areas of Australia tend to have lower prices, averaging $200-400 per square metre. But availability of roofers may be limited.
Element like proximity to suppliers and roofing contractors can influence per square meter rates as well. When requesting quotes, find out your specific regional rates.
Additional Services
Added services like gutters, skylights, chimney repairs or installing vents will add to the total project costs. Gutter replacement can cost $4-15 per linear foot. Skylights run $300-900 installed.
Cost to Restore Different Roofs
Asphalt Shingle Roof Restoration
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material for homes. Here are the costs associated with restoring an asphalt shingle roof:
- Cleaning – $0.25-$0.50 per sq.ft
- Repairs – $1-$5 per missing or damaged shingle
- Coatings – $0.75-$2 per sq.ft for elastomeric coatings
- Total cost – Approximately $2,500 to $7,500 for a typical single-family home
Metal Roof Restoration
These roofs last longer than asphalt shingles but still require maintenance. Here are the typical costs:
- Cleaning – $0.30-$0.60 per sq.ft
- Repairs – $150+ per damaged metal roof panel
- Coatings – $1-$3 per sq.ft for UV-resistant sealants
- Total cost – Around $4,500 to $9,000 for an average home
Tile Roof Restoration
Tile roofs are more expensive to restore but can last over 50 years. Costs include:
- Cleaning – $0.40-$1 per sq.ft
- Repairs – $200-$1000 per damaged roof tile
- Sealants – $2-$5 per sq.ft
- Total cost – $6,000 to $12,000 or more for an average home
Flat Roof Restoration
Flat roofs require yearly maintenance and more frequent restoration. Costs are roughly:
- Cleaning – $0.30-$0.60 per sq.ft
- Patching leaks – $150+ per leak
- Coatings – $2-$6 per sq.ft for elastomeric coatings
- Total cost – $4,500 to $9,000 for a 1,500 sq.ft roof
Ways to Finance Your Roof Restoration
If you don’t have thousands saved up for roof repairs, consider these financing options:
- Personal loan or HELOC – Borrow money from your home’s equity at competitive interest rates
- Roof restoration company financing – Some roofers offer in-house financing for big jobs
- Credit card – Use a card with a 0% intro APR to pay it off over time
- Home improvement loan – A secured loan specifically for home upgrades
Compare multiple lenders to find the best rates and terms. A longer repayment term (e.g 15 years) will mean lower monthly payments.
How Do I Find & Choose a Good Roofer?
The key to a successful restoration is hiring the right roofer. Here are some tips:
- Ask friends and neighbors for referrals
- Look for licensed, insured roofers
- Read online reviews
- Check out their Better Business Bureau rating
- Ask how long they’ve been in business and how many restorations they’ve done
- Choose roofers who offer manufacturer certifications and warranty programs
- Verify they follow any local licensing and permit requirements
Only consider roofers who inspect your roof first and provide a detailed quote for the work needed. Be wary of any that offer flat rates without seeing your roof.
Interview Roofers Before Hiring
When meeting with roofers, ask questions like:
- Will your crew do the work, or do you subcontract?
- What specific tasks will be involved in restoring my roof?
- What types of equipment will you use?
- How will you protect landscaping around the home?
- What safety precautions do you take?
- How long will the project take?
- What type of warranty do you provide on your restoration work?
Choose a roofer you feel comfortable with and who clearly outlines the restoration plan.
How to Get Quotes for Roof Restoration
Getting multiple roof restoration service quotes is important to find the best deal. Here are some tips:
- Contact 3-5 local roofing industries for quotes
- Ask what is included – materials, repairs, warranties etc.
- Get quotes for your specific type of roof, size, roof style
- Ask lots of questions and take notes
- Compare the roof restoration scope and cost estimates
- Check references and reviews before choosing a roof restorer
Beware of quotes that seem too good to be true, lowball bids may result in shoddy workmanship or extra costs down the road. Investing in a quality roof restoration job can add decades of life to your roof.
Pro Tip: Consider tiled roof restoration with protective coatings as a more affordable option compared to a full roof replacement. The coat can extend the life of your existing tiles for years before needing to replace them.
The Bottom Line
Restore your worn roof now before major leaks and damage occur. Expect to spend around $5,000 to $10,000 on average to professionally restore an asphalt shingle roof. Tile, metal and flat roof restorations cost more due to specialised materials and labor. With proper maintenance, your restored roof can easily last 20 years or longer depending on the climate.
Research contractors thoroughly and get multiple quotes to find the right roofer for your restoration project. The investment will pay off in added comfort, energy efficiency and curb appeal for years to come.
