Roofing Materials Price Guide for Service Providers

Roofing materials prices play a big role in the profits your home improvement company generates. These expenses can vary, and many are on the rise due to inflation and supply chain challenges. Several factors influence roofing material costs, primarily the composition. It’s critical to understand this dynamic to ensure you grow margins.

In this guide, you’ll view a comparison of material costs to support your strategy for budgeting, strategic planning, sales positioning, and customer education.

Roofing Material Price Comparison

Let’s start with a roof material comparison. Different types of roofing materials have unique costs. Higher prices don’t necessarily mean better, and the cheapest roofing material doesn’t mean it’s low quality. There are options for every customer.

Material Type	Average Roofing Costs Per Square	Lifespan	Maintenance Level	Region/Climate Suitability
Asphalt Shingle	$80–$130	15–20 Years	Low	Any (for hot climates, shingles should be heat reflective)
Concrete Tile	$300–$2,500	30–200 Years	Moderate	Any
Metal	$100–$800	30–80 Years	Moderate	Any
Architectural Shingles	$100–$250	20–30 Years	Moderate	Any
Wood Shakes	$300–$700	25–30 Years	High	Moderate to cool and dry
Slate	$600–$1,600	50–200 Years	Low	Any
Composite Shingle	$300–$700	40–50 Years	Low	Any

Key Factors That Influence Roofing Material Prices

Many factors influence the roofing materials cost variances, and it’s not just the composition. An expensive roof may not just be about the material. So what’s behind the average roofing costs?

As you plan material sourcing and create job estimates, consider these key things that affect your costs:

Raw material costs: The starting point for pricing is the material itself. The more premium the material and the expense to manufacture it, the more it will cost you. The cheapest roof type is asphalt shingles.

Labor complexity: Some roofing jobs require specialized skillsets, like tile and slate. Others, like shingles, are more labor-intensive. The availability of workers also fluctuates by region.

Regional climate and building codes: Many shingles can work for any climate. However, the material may need an enhancement, like shingles that reflect UV rays. Building codes by state or city may also impact the grade of material you must use.

Shipping and freight costs: How far the material has to travel, and its weight, can drive up the expenses for logistics.

Warranty and manufacturer grade differences: Materials with longer warranties and a higher grade tend to be more expensive. The trade-off is that they should last longer.

Longevity: A tile roof lifetime far exceeds shingles, so the costs reflect that.

Prep work: Another expense to consider is the prep work involved for each material. What’s necessary for asphalt shingles is much less than for concrete tiles.

Budgeting Tips for Roofing Contractors and Business Owners

With so many things contributing to average roofing costs, budgeting can be complicated. You also have to consider what clients want, either for aesthetics or durability. The cheapest roof material, even if of high quality, may help with costs but not with demand.

Let’s look at some key roofing materials pricing budgeting tips.

Materials and Labor Pricing Calculations

To understand the true cost of a roof to you, you’ll need to determine this number in terms of materials and labor. The material used impacts labor costs, as some require a higher proficiency level.

To calculate this, you’ll need the measurements, cost per square, the number of laborers, and the hourly rate.

For example, metal roof measurements could be 1,700 square feet (17 squares) with a cost of $500. That’s $$8,500. For labor, you’ll need three workers, and the expected timeline is 40 hours at a rate of $30, equaling $3,600.

The total is $12,100.

Locking In Prices

If you have jobs scheduled out months in advance, you may be able to take advantage of lower costs. Considering the current volatility of materials costs, purchasing early could save you on the per-square price.

Using Leftovers and Buying in Bulk

There’s always extra material from jobs. If it’s usable and in good shape, don’t toss it. Keep it on hand for the next job you do that uses that composite.

Another way to reduce materials costs is to buy in bulk. If your region has a preferred material, you can use this budgeting approach. Additionally, you could offer customers a better deal by recommending what you have in stock.

Reducing Waste and Improving Margins

How workers install roofing has much to do with whether there is waste. Discuss this with your installation team and share ideas about how to avoid it.

Margins improve when you focus on cost optimization. You can do this by:

Building relationships with suppliers

Optimizing labor expenses by improving efficiency

Controlling overhead costs

Improving the accuracy of estimates

Partnering with Local Suppliers

With a local supplier, you may be able to avoid some of the ups and downs of the supply chain. If you work exclusively with these companies for certain materials, they may also cut you a better deal. You could reduce costs associated with transit as well if you could pick up the contents nearby.

The worker puts roofing material in the open air

How to Choose the Right Material for Your Business or Client Base

Selecting the right material can be a complex decision. You must balance customer needs and wants with regional trends and your overall profitability.

You can use this framework to make the best choice:

Customer Preferences

This carries a lot of weight, but homeowners may not have all the information. They may have something in mind that isn’t the best pick. Educate your clients about the pros and cons.

To match materials to customer requirements, you’ll also need to know if they have the budget for something premium. They may have desires but not the dollars. One pro tip is to show them alternatives that look like one material but have greater longevity and a lower square price.

Regional Impact

Roofing materials are diverse, but some do better in other climates. This is another area where the customer’s wants may not line up with the best material.

You should advise customers of the maintenance and concerns with some roofing over others so they understand the consequences. Do they really have the time to keep up a roof that requires more care? They should think about this in terms of the total cost of ownership.

Profitability

You, of course, must consider your net revenue for each project. Profitability shouldn’t be your sole reason for material recommendations, but you don’t want to do jobs with razor-thin margins.

You want this to be healthy while considering what customers want and regional factors. This could include highlighting specific materials like those you purchased in bulk. It may fit the customer’s wish list and the climate.

Close up and real photo of skilled workman in special protective work wear installing asphalt or bitumen tile on top of the roof under construction house

Trends and Pricing Forecasts for Roofing Materials

What’s the forecast for roofing materials pricing? Price changes have been fluctuating considerably. Many things impact this, including supply chain availability, tariffs, inflation, and more.

Let’s review some of these trends in detail:

Inflation: Inflation has risen in 2025, which means the cost of everything goes up. It impacts materials and labor.

Material availability: Supply chains are more stable than they have been post-pandemic, but it’s still a factor, which is why diversifying is key.

Tariffs: Steel and aluminum tariffs have increased costs for roofing material. Estimates say metal roofing costs have increased by as much as 60% as a result.

Labor shortages: A lack of skilled roofers has been an issue for some time. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), 77% of companies said they had a hard time hiring workers. High labor demand with a shortage of supply means wages increase.

Climate resilience: As certain areas face more severe weather, material suitability can evolve. Manufacturers are also innovating to create more resilient goods. Both things can increase costs.

Homeowner preferences: Many of your customers have a look in mind for their roof but may not realize the challenges. They may be following a trend they saw without knowledge of why the material isn’t suitable. You’ll need to balance their wants with the realities of cost and maintenance. Many roof types will need regular maintenance, using roofing cement to patch and seal.

There are ways to hedge against these trends. First, you can monitor supply chains and diversify. A single source puts you in a compromising position.

Second, you can use a tiered pricing strategy in your proposals (e.g., good, better, best). It’s a good place to offer alternatives. For example, metal roof material could be aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel.

Third, you could focus on longevity and durability over pure appearance. Homeowners want an appealing roof, but most would prioritize quality over this.

Roofing Materials Prices Are Strategic, Not Just Cost-Based

Multiple things impact roofing materials costs. Those expenses affect budgeting, warranties, labor, and ultimately, customer satisfaction. Every job and the materials you recommend reflect on your reputation and influence the likelihood of repeat business and referrals.

Stay ahead by reviewing pricing trends, maintaining strong supplier relationships, and optimizing your costs. The right insights can help you increase margins while delivering value to your customers.

Ready to take control of your roofing material costs and improve your bottom line? With RoofSnap, you can streamline estimates, lock in accurate pricing, and present professional proposals that win more jobs.

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