Metal Roof Cost Calculator
Enter your roof area and material and labor prices to get an installed cost estimate for a metal roof.
What your result means
Total cost is material plus labor across your roof area. This uses the area you enter, so for a pitched roof, enter the actual roof surface, not the footprint, or run the footprint through the Roof Slope Calculator first to get the slope factor. Add about 10% for trim, fasteners, and surprises, plus tear-off if you're replacing.
How to use this calculator
- Measure building (use the roof cost calculator to add pitch factor if needed).
- Get a material cost quote per sq ft.
- Get install labor quote per sq ft.
- Read material, labor, and total cost.
- Add 10% for trim, fasteners, and unexpected items.
The formula
Roof area is length times width; enter the actual sloped surface for a pitched roof. Material cost is area times the material price, and labor is area times the labor rate. Add the two for the installed total.
Worked example
Say you've got 1,200 sq ft of roof (a 30 by 40 ft plane), figuring $10 a square foot for standing seam and $4 for labor. Material runs $12,000, labor $4,800, for $16,800 installed. Add about 10% for trim and fasteners and you're near $18,500.
Metal roofing material prices (per sq ft)
| Material | Price per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Galvanized steel | $4 – $8 |
| Aluminum | $8 – $12 |
| Standing seam | $10 – $15 |
| Copper | $15 – $25 |
Tips & gotchas
- Standing seam costs more than corrugated, but it lasts longer and looks cleaner.
- Add tear-off at $1 to $2 a square foot if you're pulling an old roof first.
- Trim and flashing add another $1 to $2 a square foot on top of the panels.
- DIY install voids most metal roof warranties, so weigh that before you climb up.
- A metal roof can earn an insurance discount and sometimes a tax credit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a metal roof cost?
Usually $10,000 to $30,000 installed on a typical home. Premium materials like copper run higher.
Is metal roofing worth the cost?
If you'll be in the house 15-plus years, yes. The long lifespan offsets the higher upfront price.
Will my insurance go down with a metal roof?
Often, by 5 to 30%, since metal is more fire- and hail-resistant. Ask your insurer.
Are metal roofs noisy in the rain?
A modern install over solid decking and underlayment sounds about the same as shingles.
Can I claim a tax credit for a metal roof?
Sometimes, for ENERGY STAR cool-roof panels. Check the current federal and state programs, since they change.
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Estimates only — see our full disclaimer.