There is no single "price of a roof"
What a roofing project costs depends first on the TYPE of work: fully replacing a worn-out roof is not the same job as repairing a localised leak or installing a system on new construction. Be wary of any figure given without context — the only way to get a reliable price is an on-site inspection.
This page gathers the ranges we see regularly, to help homeowners form a realistic picture before asking for a quote — not to replace a proper assessment of your specific property.
Price by type of work
Here are the ranges we generally see for a typical residential property in Greater Montreal:
- •New roof installation (new build, addition): $9,000 – $22,000
- •Complete replacement (tear-off + new system): $7,000 – $16,000
- •Emergency temporary tarping: $300 – $800 (the permanent repair is quoted separately, after inspection)
- •Flat roof in elastomeric membrane: $8,000 – $20,000
- •Metal roofing: $16,000 – $35,000
- •Professional inspection: free
Why the spread within one category is so wide
Even inside a single category such as replacement, the gap between $7,000 and $16,000 can look large. It almost always comes down to surface area and complexity: a simple two-slope bungalow usually sits at the bottom of the range, while a roof with several dormers, valleys and hips takes more time to lay and more material, which pushes the price up.
The factors that drive the price
- •The total surface area of the roof
- •The slope and structural complexity (hips, dormers, valleys)
- •How many layers of shingles have to come off
- •Site access (narrow lane, shared roof, height)
- •The condition of the deck under the old covering — sometimes invisible until tear-off
- •The materials chosen (standard vs architectural shingle vs metal)
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The lowest price is not always the best value
A quote markedly lower than the others deserves a question, not just enthusiasm. Check whether a full tear-off is included, whether the workmanship warranty is comparable, and whether the materials proposed are of equivalent quality. A price gap usually reflects a real difference in the scope of work — not simply a thinner margin for the contractor.
How to get a reliable price
An estimate given over the phone, without a technical visit, is never reliable — too many factors can only be assessed in person, the real condition of the deck above all. Always require a written quote after an on-site inspection, with a fixed price that will not change mid-job except for a clearly explained, unforeseen discovery.
The short version
The estimate price should be the final price. A serious quote always follows a visit, not just a phone conversation.