What should a roof replacement cost per square include?
Short answer. A per square quote should state what it covers, ideally tear-off of one layer, underlayment, starter, shingles, ridge cap and installation on each 100 square feet of roof. Drip edge, flashing, ventilation, extra layers, decking, steep charges and permits are often extra, so a per square number is meaningless until you see the full list.
Usually inside a per square price
- Removal of one layer of shingles and felt.
- Synthetic underlayment over the field.
- Shingles, starter strip, and standard ridge cap.
- Nails and installation labor at a standard pitch.
Often outside it
- Additional layers removed, priced per square.
- Steep and high roof labor for pitches of 7/12 and up or two story eaves.
- Drip edge, valleys, ridge vent, priced per linear foot.
- Ice and water shield in valleys and at penetrations.
- Pipe boots, vents, chimney and wall flashing, priced per piece or per job.
- Decking, priced per sheet.
- Permit, dumpster, and disposal.
Turning it into a total
- Get the measured squares and waste percentage.
- Multiply by the per square price only after confirming what it includes.
- Add every linear foot and per piece item.
- Add a realistic decking allowance using the per sheet price.
Why the total is what to compare
A low per square price can be the most expensive bid once extras are added. A higher per square price that includes flashing, ventilation, and drip edge may be the better deal. See how roofers measure a roof and the North Georgia totals in roof replacement cost in Georgia.