How Much Does Metal Roof Repair Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Most homeowners spend around $1,908 on metal roof repairs, with typical costs ranging from $635 to $3,200. In some cases, repairs can reach $8,000 or more—at that point, you might consider a full replacement. Typical repairs include sealing holes and cracks, and occasionally repairing rusted sections. As your roof ages, having it wholly sealed for $400 to $2,000 can extend its lifespan.

While metal roofs cost more to install than options like asphalt shingles, they offer double the lifespan and a variety of designs, making them a wise long-term investment. Regular inspections, maintenance, and repairs can help you get the most out of your metal roof. Addressing minor issues promptly can prevent them from becoming major problems later.

Cost to Repair Metal Roof

Expect to pay between $6 and $20 per square foot to repair your metal roof, including labor. Labor alone typically costs $5 to $15 per square foot. If you're dealing with corrosion and need to replace a section, you'll likely be at the higher end of the price range. Small patches and resealing usually cost less. Remember that replacing your roof can cost twice as much, so timely repairs can save you money.

• Re-coating the Panels: $1,500–$2,500. Applying an approved metal coating can extend the lifespan of your aging metal roof. Contractors use grinders, sanders, wire brushes, and high-pressure water blasting to remove all loose paint, rust, dirt, and other contaminants.

• Resealing Seams: $100–$500. Reseal with newer caulks where older ones have shrunk or become brittle, which allows unwanted moisture to break through. You can use special rubberized tapes for some repairs.

• Fastener Repair and Replacement: $40–$60 per hour. If rust is evident, inspect, tighten, and replace fasteners with sealant or new hardware. Leaks often occur in spots with missing or corroded fasteners. The cost of fastener repairs consists primarily of labor.

• New Panels and Components: $2–$15+ per square foot. Replace entire sections with extensive corrosion or weather-related damage. Once repair prices exceed 50% of installing new panels or a roof, opt to replace rather than repair. Panels run $2–3 per square foot for thinner gauge steel and $3–5 for higher steel grades. Zinc alloys and copper materials are the most expensive at $10–15 per square foot.

Metal Roof Repair Cost by Type

Metal roof repairs vary in cost by the type of metal. Aluminum and tin are among the least expensive, with repairs starting at $6 per square foot all in. Copper and steel are the most costly, with repairs costing as much as $20 per square foot, including labor.

Aluminum

To repair an aluminum roof, expect to pay between $6 and $16 per square foot, with most repairs costing around $11 per square foot. Aluminum is a popular metal roofing option because it's affordable and balances durability and cost.

While it's very strong and corrosion-resistant, it is at risk of contracting and expanding during rapid or extreme temperature changes, leading to homeowners paying for crack, fastener, and leak repairs.

Tin

Like aluminum, tin roofs cost an average of $11 per square foot to repair, with homeowners typically paying between $6 and $16 per square foot. Tin roofs are popular because of their ready availability and affordability. However, tin does corrode, so you'll eventually need to have rusty sections patched or replaced. It's also worth noting that tin roofs are prone to denting from impact damage from storms, which can lead to damage that requires you to call a local metal roofing specialist to fix.

Zinc

Zinc roof repair costs around $12 per square foot, ranging from $7 to $17 per square foot. It’s a popular mid-range roofing material because it's corrosion-resistant, long-lasting, and can heal itself from minor scratches and dents, requiring minimal maintenance. However, like all metals, zinc can eventually corrode or suffer from cracks and leaks.

Steel

To repair a steel roof, expect to pay in the region of $14 per square foot or somewhere between $9 and $19 per square foot. Steel roofs, including galvanized options, can last for decades with minimal maintenance. This type of metal roof is exceptionally strong and long-lasting. However, they expand and contract, so they may develop loose fasteners or cracks and gaps that need repair.

Copper

Copper roof repair is the most costly at an average cost of $16 per square foot, and with most people paying between $12 and $20 per square foot. Copper is super-durable and has a unique look that changes over time as the copper oxidizes and develops a unique patina with a blue-green hue.

You can, however, have the roof cleaned and restored to bring back the original copper shine. Copper is durable and lasts for decades, but, like any metal roof, it can suffer from dents and loose fasteners.

Metal Roof Repair Costs by Issue

Many issues require repair on metal roofs, and costs vary depending on their complexity and size. Fixing a few loose fasteners can cost as little as $100, while correcting extensive hailstorm damage can cost $4,000.

Splits, Cracks, and Gaps

Repairing splits, cracks, and gaps costs $200 to $1,000. The process involves cleaning and applying a metal adhesive to a fiber or rubberized membrane. Special rubberized tapes can also be used to repair more minor cracks and splits.

Leak Repair

Repairing leaks in a metal roof costs $400 to $1,000 for most projects. If the cause of the issue isn't apparent or requires more time to fix, you may pay up to double that. Early detection of roof leaks may cut down on repair costs.

Metal roofs may be more vulnerable to leaks along seams and where protrusions occur, like skylights and vents. Leaks sometimes develop in the valleys and along the ridges where different roof planes meet.

In addition, certain installation errors can also lead to roof leaks, such as:

• Leaving off required sealants at roof penetrations and joints

• Failure to install tape sealant under screw heads

• Failure to add an extra sealant strip at the eave connections and where panels meet

• Incorrectly applying or failing to apply required sealants along longitudinal seams

• Lack of caulking between any extra trim and the underside of panels

Buckling or Wrinkling

Buckling and wrinkling, also known as oil canning, cost between $500 and $3,000 to repair. Caused by stress, rapid temperature changes, or a loss of elasticity, stress wrinkling or elastic buckling can only be effectively repaired by replacing the affected metal sheets.

Rust and Corrosion

Rust and corrosion repair services cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000. Material costs make up 50% or more of this type of repair. You'll sometimes find pitting on older metal roofs, which is the start of surface corrosion. Your pro will sand and scrape the affected area before applying a rust-inhibiting primer coat. They’ll follow that with a final coat of sealant. Remove and replace severely corroded panels.

Storm Damage

Storm damage can cost anywhere from $700 to $4,000 to repair. Homeowners insurance covers most functional damage caused by hail, high winds, or severe weather. However, most policies won’t cover cosmetic damage, or the insurer only pays a percentage of the total replacement cost—usually 50% or less. Metal roofs are typically considered the most storm and hail-resistant material for your home. However, it is still possible for large hail to distort interlocking seams or flashings.

Metal Roof Maintenance Costs

Although high-quality metal roofs outlast most other types, they still require periodic inspections and maintenance. Maintenance includes cleaning, removing debris, and trimming trees back from the roof.

• Pressure washing your roof costs $50–$100 per hour. It generally includes a complete cleaning and sometimes an inspection for sealant issues, corrosion, and leaks. Regular pressure washing maintains its appearance.

• Tree trimming services cost $275–$1,800 on average. Ensure that trees and bushes aren’t rubbing against the roof's surface. Tree and shrub growth can initiate a cycle of constant friction that may compromise coatings or damage panels.

Annual Inspection Fees for Metal Roofs

On average, annual metal roof inspections cost $125 to $350. Inspections for very steep, large, or complicated roofs may cost up to $900. Schedule an inspection every 1 to 3 years after a severe storm, or if you notice any signs of water damage.

Certified roof inspectors look for evidence of:

• Cracks, holes, and other damage

• Deteriorating gaskets

• Movement/stress of panels

• Ice and snow damage

• Storm damage

• Compromised surface coatings

• Debris clogging drains and gutters

Metal Roof Advantages

Metal roofs come with numerous advantages that make them worth the investment:

• Durability: High-quality metal roofs can last 40 to 80 years or more. Some copper roofs have stood strong since the 1800s.

• Lightweight: Metal roofing materials are much lighter than options like tile or slate, putting less strain on your home’s structure.

• Energy Efficiency: Metal roofs can reduce heating and cooling costs by 7% to 15%, thanks to their reflective properties.

• Wind Resistance: Interlocking panels offer superior resistance to high winds compared to traditional shingles.

• Versatility in Style: Modern metal roofs come in various styles and colors, allowing you to match your aesthetic and budget.

• Fire Resistance: Metal is one of the most fire-resistant roofing materials available, which could even lower your insurance premiums.

• Eco-Friendly: Many metal roofs are made from recycled materials and are fully recyclable at the end of their lifespan.

Full Metal Roof Replacement

A complete metal roof replacement costs $11,700 to $28,700, depending on the size, style, and material you choose. You'll want to consider a complete replacement when it nears the end of its life or when repair prices exceed 50% of a new roof. A standing seam metal roof costs more than many others, but it’s more durable and easier to repair.

DIY vs. Hiring a Metal Roof Repair Professional

While it might be tempting to tackle metal roof repairs yourself, hiring a professional is best. Metal roof repairs often require specialized knowledge, experience, and tools that only a qualified roofing contractor has. Attempting repairs on your own can lead to further damage or safety risks. At the very least, consider hiring a roof inspector to diagnose the problem. Working with a local metal roof repair professional ensures your roof is repaired safely and effectively.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.