Roof replacement in Calgary

A roof replacement removes the old roofing down to the wooden deck, repairs any damaged decking, and installs new underlayment, flashing, vents and shingles or other roofing. In Calgary, local roofing businesses publish most replacements with architectural asphalt shingles at about $8,000 to $20,000, with a typical two-storey home around $12,000 to $17,500. Most homes are done in one to three days.

This guide covers how to tell your roof needs replacing, what happens during the job, what it costs, when to book it, and how to pick a roofer. It links to every page on the site that goes deeper, starting with roof replacement cost in Calgary.

How do I know my roof needs replacing?

Your roof likely needs replacing when the shingles are curling, cracking or bald across several slopes, when you have leaks in more than one place, when the deck feels soft, or when hail has damaged most of the roof. Age matters too: architectural shingles typically last about 24 to 30 years, and older flat 3-tab shingles about 15 to 18. A roof near those ages with visible wear is usually at the end.

Five signs to look for:

1. Curling, cupping or cracked shingles on more than one slope.
2. Granules piling up in the eavestroughs and bald patches on the roof.
3. Repeated leaks or water stains in more than one room.
4. A sagging or spongy deck when a roofer walks it.
5. Widespread hail damage after a storm. See hail damage roof repair.

If the damage is in one place and the rest of the roof is sound, a repair may be all you need. See roof repair in Calgary.

What happens during a roof replacement?

A roof replacement usually follows the same steps: protect the yard and house, tear off the old shingles and underlayment, inspect and replace damaged decking, install ice and water protection at the eaves and valleys, lay new underlayment, fit drip edge and flashing, install the new shingles and ridge vents, then clean up with magnets for nails. Most Calgary homes take one to three days, weather permitting.

What to agree in writing before work starts:

• What is included: tear-off, disposal, underlayment, flashing, vents and cleanup.
• Decking: the price per sheet if rotten plywood is found. Calgary businesses publish about $50 to $110 per sheet installed.
• Ventilation: whether attic vents will be checked and improved. Poor ventilation shortens a new roof's life and causes ice dams.
• Warranty: the manufacturer's warranty on the shingles and the roofer's own warranty on the workmanship, with both lengths in writing.

Replacing roofing with a similar material does not need a City of Calgary permit. Changing material, for example from shingles to clay tile, does, according to the City.

How much does it cost to replace a roof in Calgary?

Most Calgary roof replacements cost $8,000 to $20,000 with architectural asphalt shingles, based on prices local roofing businesses publish. A small bungalow can be $8,000 to $12,000. Impact-resistant Class 4 shingles run about $12,000 to $22,000, steel roofing about $15,000 to $24,000, and standing seam metal $22,000 to $40,000 or more.

The cost guide linked at the top of this page has the full breakdown, including what drives the price and how to read a quote.

What is the cheapest option for a new roof?

The cheapest new roof in Calgary is usually standard architectural asphalt shingles, which local businesses publish at about $8,000 to $12,000 for a small bungalow and $5.50 to $7.50 per square foot installed. Impact-resistant shingles cost a few thousand dollars more but stand up to hail better. The cheapest price today is not always the cheapest roof over 25 years, especially in a hail city.

Other ways to keep the cost down without cutting corners:

• Book outside the summer peak and the weeks after a big hailstorm.
• Ask for an itemized quote, so you can compare like with like.
• Get two or three quotes for the same scope.
• Fix ventilation at the same time, so the new roof lasts.

When is the best time of year to replace a roof in Calgary?

Late spring to early fall gives the best weather for installing asphalt shingles, which need warmth to seal. Late fall through early spring is usually cheaper and easier to book. One Calgary roofing business says quiet-season pricing is commonly 10 to 15% below the summer peak. The worst time to book is right after a major hailstorm, when every roofer in the city is busy.

How do I choose a roofing company for a replacement?

Pick a roofing company that inspects the roof in person, gives you a written, itemized quote, explains how they handle rotten decking, and puts both warranties in writing. The City of Calgary says contractors must hold a valid City of Calgary business licence; you can call 311 to confirm one. Ask for addresses of recent jobs, and be wary of large up-front payments or pressure to sign that day.

Questions worth asking every roofer:

• Will you tear off to the deck, or lay over the old shingles?
• What underlayment and ice and water protection will you use?
• How will you check and improve the attic ventilation?
• What does the workmanship warranty cover, and for how long?
• Who will be on site, and who do I call if something goes wrong?

If your eavestroughs, soffit or siding also need work, ask whether it makes sense to do them at the same time, since the scaffolding and crew are already there.

Questions people ask

What is the average cost to replace a roof on a 1,500 sq. ft. house in Calgary?

A roof of up to about 1,500 square feet of roof area typically costs $8,000 to $12,000 to replace with architectural shingles, based on Calgary roofing businesses' published prices. Note that roof area is larger than a house's floor area once pitch and overhangs are counted, so a 1,500 square foot house often has more roof than that. The roofer measures the actual roof.

What is the most expensive part of replacing a roof?

Labor is usually the largest single part of the cost, followed by the shingles and materials. The surprises that push a quote up are rotten decking found during tear-off, steep or complex rooflines, extra layers to remove, new flashing around chimneys and skylights, and ventilation upgrades. Calgary roofers publish chimney and skylight reflashing at about $300 to $600 each.

How much does it cost to replace a 1,000 sq ft roof?

A roof with about 1,000 square feet of roof area sits at the small end of Calgary prices. Using one Calgary business's published installed rates of about $5.50 to $7.50 per square foot for architectural shingles, that is roughly $5,500 to $7,500 before decking repairs or extras. Many roofers have a minimum job size, so small roofs can cost a little more per foot.

How long does a roof replacement take?

Most Calgary homes take one to three days. A simple bungalow can be done in a day. A large or steep two-storey home, a roof with a lot of rotten decking, or a switch to metal can take longer. Rain, wind and cold stop work, so the schedule depends on the weather.

Does a roof replacement need a permit in Calgary?

Usually not. The City of Calgary lists replacing or repairing roofing materials as work that does not need a permit. A building permit is needed when changing the roofing material, for example from shingles to clay roofing. If you are unsure, call the City's planning services before work starts.