How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Roof in Texas?

Average Cost to Replace a Roof in Texas

Per square foot, roof replacement in Texas costs between $2 and $30. Roofers usually charge per square, with a square equaling 100 square feet. So, replacing a roof costs between $200 and $3,000 per square. However, most people spend between $500 and $1,000 per square for mid-range materials. Take a look at some common roof sizes and their typical costs. 

Texas Roofing Costs by Material Type

The average Texas roof needs to withstand a bit of a beating from intense heat, sunlight, hail, lightning strikes, and storms. That's why most homeowners choose architectural shingle, metal, and concrete roofs. Roof shingles cost from $2.50 to $10 per square foot. For those on a tight budget, standard 3-tab asphalt shingles are another budget-friendly option. For those who live in a suitable area and want to pursue a specific look, wooden shake and clay tiles are also available.

Asphalt Shingle

An asphalt shingle roof costs between $2.50 and $4 per square foot to replace, or around $325 per square. Three-tab asphalt shingles are a budget-friendly option, but they're not the most durable choice if you live in an area of Texas prone to hail, tornadoes, or intense storms. 

Architectural Shingle

Architectural asphalt shingles cost $4.50 to $7.50 per square foot, or around $600 per square. Architectural shingles can also be made of composite. Composite shingles cost $4 to $8 per square foot, or $600 per square. 

These shingles are thicker and laminated—ultimately more durable with a stronger hold—so they're better able to withstand wind and hail. Architectural shingles can last up to 50 years with minimal maintenance, while regular shingles only last around 20 years.

Wood Shakes

A wooden roof, or cedar shake roof, costs $5 to $10 per square foot to replace, or an average of $750 per square. This type of roof gives a charming, rustic aesthetic and is environmentally friendly and energy efficient. They also have a lifespan of up to 50 years. However, they're not suitable for installation in parts of Texas that are at risk of wildfires and may struggle to cope with regular battering from storms without plenty of maintenance. 

Metal

In Texas, replacing a metal roof costs between $6.50 and $18 per square foot, or around $1,225 per square. High-quality metal roofs are energy efficient, long-lasting, and strong. Some can last up to 100 years and are impervious to insects, rot, and mold. And these roofs can withstand impact damage from hail storms, wind, and other extreme conditions. Tin roof costs are modest, at $5 to $12 per square foot, while steel is stronger, longer lasting, and costs $6 to $16 per square foot.

Concrete Tiles

A concrete tile roof costs $7 to $10 per square foot, or roughly $850 per square. Concrete roof tiles are strong and durable and can withstand almost anything Mother Nature can throw at them. But they're heavy, so you may have to reinforce your roof deck before installing these tiles.

Clay Tiles

Clay tile roof replacement costs $10 to $26 per square foot, or an average of $1,800 per square. Clay tile roofs are luxurious, aesthetically pleasing, and boost your home's curb appeal. They're also durable and can last up to 100 years. 

Clay tiles are energy-efficient, as they naturally resist heat transfer. However, they're comparatively fragile, so if you live in an area where roofs are prone to impact damage, such as from hail storms, you likely want to avoid a clay roof. And, just like concrete, clay tiles are heavy, so you'll need a reinforced roof deck.

Slate Tiles

A slate tile roof costs anywhere from $15 to $30 per square foot, with most people spending around $2,250 per square. Another luxurious but heavy and expensive option, slate roof tiles have a distinctive gray-blue look. They do, however, require roof deck reinforcement and, while they can last 100 years or more, the tiles are fairly fragile—prone to cracking from impact damage. Slate roof repair costs $750 to $3,000, so keep these costs in mind if you really want to install a slate tile roof in Texas.

Roof Replacement Cost Factors in Texas

Many factors besides the material and the square footage impact how much you'll pay to replace your roof in Texas. The pitch and shape of the roof, whether you need asbestos removal, and the cost of labor and inspections all impact costs.

Roof Pitch

In Texas, most homeowners opt for a conventional pitch, which equates to a rise of between 4 and 7 inches in height for every 12 inches across. The standard pitch has a modest installation fee and provides enough of a slope for water to run off comfortably into gutters. 

Although a flat roof costs less than other types, they're uncommon because of the potential for water damage, blistering, and cracking in Texas’ dynamic climate. Many pros advise against even rubber roofing, which costs $4.25 to $8.25 per square foot. Steep slopes are also uncommon as they cost significantly more to install and aren't necessary; most of Texas doesn’t get enough snow to justify steep slopes.

Roof Shape

The shape of your roof directly impacts cost. Simple flat roofs and gable roofs are the least expensive to install. However, any roof with a non-standard shape, multiple pitches, protrusions, or multiple seams costs more to install because they're more complex, time-consuming, and often use more materials. 

While gabled, Dutch, and dormer are the most common types, butterfly, hipped, and mansard roof shapes are all available in Texas, too. However, each poses unique challenges for your local roofing contractor.

Labor

The cost of labor to install a roof is between $2 and $5 per square foot. This includes the price of the tear-off for the old roof, at $1 to $2 per square foot, and $1 to $3 per square foot for the labor to install the new roof.

If you choose extras, like deck reinforcement, or the contractor is working with more challenging materials, like clay and slate, expect to pay more. 

Inspection

A roof inspection costs between $100 and $320. Having an independent roof inspection verifies that your roof has been suitably installed. Additionally, periodic roof inspections help you identify and correct minor issues before they become significant and expensive issues that may require roof replacement.

Asbestos Removal

Asbestos removal costs between $1,100 and $3,100, on average. If your house is pre-1970s and has never had significant roof work done, it may contain asbestos. This will need professional intervention and removal before the contractors can continue with your roof replacement. If asbestos is present in the roof, you should have an asbestos inspection on the rest of your home to identify and remove any additional harmful asbestos sources.

Texas Roof Replacement Costs by City

Texas is the second largest state and, because it covers such a large area, the typical prices for roof replacement vary significantly from city to city. 

Dallas 

The cost of replacing a roof in Dallas is an average of $9,500, which is around 5% higher than the national average cost to replace a roof. This makes sense, as the cost of living in Dallas is 4% higher than the national average, with housing typically costing 3% more, and utilities 10% more expensive than the average U.S. home. 

Houston 

Roof replacement in Houston costs an average of $9,500, or 5% more than the national average. Houston's typical cost of living is 6% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 18% lower, although the cost of utilities is 8% higher. This reduced living costs bring down transportation and labor costs, hence the slightly below-average price of roof replacement.

Austin 

Replacing your roof in Austin costs around $8,750, 2% lower than the national average. Austin's typical cost of living is 1% higher than the national average, with groceries and utilities costing 8% and 5% less, respectively, and transportation costing 14% less, although housing costs are 12% higher. The increased housing and utility prices pushes the cost of materials and labor up, accounting for the higher-than-average price of roof replacement in Austin.

El Paso 

In El Paso, replacing your roof costs around $7,400, which is 19.5% less than the national average. This is largely due to the typical cost of living in El Paso, which is an impressive 11% lower than the typical US city. With housing costing 30% less and utilities 9% lower than elsewhere in the country, labor, base material, and transport costs are all comparatively less, keeping roof replacement prices down. 

Signs You Need a New Roof

In general, the key signs you need a new roof include: 

• Missing shingles

• Curling shingles

• Asphalt grit in the gutters

• You've got a leak

• Mold or moss on the roof

• Loose tiles

• Damaged or missing flashing

And, in Texas, look for tell-tale sun damage signs, like cracked and curling shingles. You'll also want to check for hail damage in the aftermath of a storm and, if your roof has been excessively damaged, get it taken care of right away.