Roof Replacement Cost In Boise

1. Size of Your Roof

This shouldn’t come as a surprise but the size of your home can make a major difference. Larger homes or homes with multiple layers will require additional materials and labor.

Multiple layers of shingles is common for homes that have been around for a awhile. If you live on the North End there is a good chance that you will have had your roof replaced before and therefore added additional layers. If you live in Eagle, on the other hand, with all of the new construction going on out there, there is a good chance that you have never had your roof replaced.

As a general rule, homeowners with larger roof space can expect to pay more when replacing their roof. The more shingles that go down – the higher the cost.

2. Removal Fees

Removing your old roof may also have fees associated with it. The removal of an old roof can cost anywhere from $1 to $5 per square foot. Plus, many contractors charge an hourly rate or project fee for labor to remove the additional debris that is created when doing this type of project.

3. Supplies for the Job

Choosing different materials for your roof? The cost of a roof replacement can depend on the materials you choose. For example, high-end options – like slate – will cost more than standard asphalt shingles.

There are even “high-end” and “low-end” options when it comes to the shingles themselves. Do you want a better warranty with your new roof? Do you want a different color than the standard colors provided by shingle companies? These are all factors when it comes to the supplies and costs of your new roof replacement.

Nails have also increased in price substantially due to the cost of steel and also due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Simple as it might seem, replacing a roof requires a lot of nails. In 2020 – 2021 alone, the cost of a box of nails increased from $27.98 to $37.22, and a typical roof requires two-four boxes of nails. The cost of these nails will add up and factor into the overall roof replacement cost.

4. Ice & Water Shield

A quality ice and water barrier will work with your roof. Certain formulations are designed to be flexible and adhere to your roof. The ice and water barrier provides an extra protection outside the shingles to keep water from seeing underneath. Storms, snow, and freeze/thaw cycles are all ways water could creep into your home. We recommend 2 layers of ice & water barrier to keep your roof and home safe. Ask your contractor about their process for applying this to make sure your home will be protected. Power House Exteriors recommends Ice and Water Barriers when doing the work on customer’s homes here in the Treasure Valley.

5. Underlayment

The snow that we can get in Boise can be minimal or it can be Snowmageddon – such as the winter in 2016-2017. As an extra layer of protection against water damage, we recommend using durable underlayment on your roof. In case of damage to your shingles, underlayment will keep your home safe from mold, leaks and other issues caused by water. Underlayment is a code requirement for your home, so be sure your contractor plans to install it during construction.

6. Starter Shingles

Starter shingles are another piece of the roofing process necessary to keep your roof free from water. They go below the main shingle and protect the seams from water, directing water off the roof instead of letting it sit and enter your home. Starter shingles are required for all manufacturer warranty claims, but they are a common product cut by contractors when trying to save time and money.

7. Ventilation

Like all areas of your home, your roof needs ventilation for proper airflow. Without necessary ventilation the hot air has no way to leave your attic, resulting in issues with mold and rotting materials. Ventilation will prolong the life of your roof and help with energy efficiency in your home. Be aware: many unscrupulous contractors will not replace these items to lower their estimates.

8. Roof Flashing

Roof flashing is a way to seal joints and other vulnerable areas so that water does not become trapped. Flashing is often used around the area where the shingles meet the chimney. Roof flashing is a common item not included in many estimates, as if often requires removal of some siding or cutting back current wood or cement board siding. This is an extremely important area to be aware of, so find out how your roofing company or contractors plan to handle your roofing flashing.

9.  Drip Edge

Drip edge is the area of the roof that extends beyond the fascia. It is often overlooked by roofing companies, but when drip edge is left off, water will not properly flow into the gutters causing wood rot and full gutter replacement. Not only does improve the look of your home, but drip edge is important to keep water and insects out of your home as well.

10.  Unforeseen Cost of Roof Replacement During Installation

Your roof isn’t like a car – you can’t just take a peak under the hood and be able to get a good idea as to what is going on. For roofs, there are things that you know before going into the job and there are things that you don’t just due to the nature of the job. At Power House Exteriors we do our best to let you know what is going on with your roof prior to starting the job and we let you know the second that we see any additional issues that might creep up. 

COVID-19 has changed everything when it comes to the unforeseen cost of lumber. Oriented Strand Board, more commonly known as OSB, has gone from $12.00 in 2019 to a whopping $61.87 in 2020-2021. That’s over a 500% increase in less than a year! Supply chains have been disrupted all around the roofing and construction industry and with all of the people moving to the Treasure Valley and Boise from out of state – that cost will more than likely continue to rise.

If your roof estimate is higher than expected based on the materials you’ve chosen, it may be due to other damage on your roof. If you experienced a storm which caused roof damage, but you did not take action immediately, your roof may have plywood damage where shingles were ripped off. Plywood (OSB) replacement is the single most expensive cost that gets added to your bill as you really don’t know what is underneath the shingles until you rip them off. Here at Power House Exteriors we try to mitigate the cost of any plywood that may need to be replaced – typically there are only a few sheets of OSB that need to be replaced when dealing with an older roof and going into the attic may be necessary to assess any possible damage.

Back before COVID it was the seasonal storms that caused prices to fluctuate – the forest fires that we get here in Idaho tended to cause the biggest disruption for years after the fires themselves have gone out.

Complex roof designs can complicate and increase the price of a new roof as well. Skylights are difficult to work around, so roofers will charge more to accommodate those types of features.

Other factors that roofing companies consider when estimating the cost of a new roof include the type of roof material you need removed, the slope of your roof and the accessibility to the roof. If your roof is easy to get to with a ladder then this is not something that you would typically have to worry about when it comes to the cost of your roof.

Roof Replacement Labor

Now that you’ve added up the material costs and other considerations, it’s time to add in labor. Labor usually accounts for 60% of the cost of a new roof. If you are in talks with a roofing company that is charging very low prices, it is worth investigating. We recommend looking these companies up on Google, Yelp and other review websites to simply verify what the contractor is telling you and what other customers have experienced. With smaller companies like ours we have to rely on our few reviews that we have an our quality content to show customers that we know what we are doing.

We have been working with other roofing companies in the Treasure Valley (Boise, Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell, Kuna, etc.) for over 10 years and decided to make the jump to our own business this past year. We have the skill and the labor to give you the best roof, not only in terms of quality, but also customer service. If you have any questions or would like some more information please give us a call or send us a message and we would be happy to provide you with any information that you need to make your decision.

Labor costs fluctuate because roofers go where they are needed. After big storms that cause damage such as hail storms, tornadoes or hurricanes, roofers will likely be in high demand. In Idaho it is mostly high winds that tend to cause the most damage to your roof. If you are in an unaffected area you may have a more difficult time finding a company for your roof. Being in rural areas of Idaho may also effect finding roofing contractors to service and do full replacements. So factor in the cost of travel if you live in rural area of Idaho – shipping may also be a factor to take into consideration. 

With all things considered, the cost to replace a roof in Boise is definitely a costly investment. Replacing your roof will keep you protected from the elements, and can significantly decrease your energy costs. Also, replacing your roof can increase the value of your property and is a great bargaining point when selling your property as well.

If you’re looking for a roof replacement or suspect that you may have an issue that needs to be fixed we would like to offer you a free roof inspection by either filling out the form below or giving us a call at 208-830-5823.