Roof trusses cost an average of $16,500
Roof trusses cost an average of $16,500, with most homeowners spending between $7,500 and $35,000.
Materials, labor, roof pitch, and truss size affect your total cost. Location, weight load requirements, and truss spacing also influence pricing.
Selecting the right roof truss enhances your home's structural integrity and boosts its value.
Hiring a professional roofer ensures proper truss installation, safety, and compliance with building codes.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Roof trusses cost around $16,500 on average, with most projects costing between $7,500 and $35,000, although some cost up to $60,000. Your total cost depends on factors like materials, labor, roof pitch, and truss size. If you have a complex roofline or need longer trusses, you might pay $560 or more per truss. Keep in mind that your location can also affect costs—materials and labor are more expensive in metropolitan areas than in rural communities.
Roof trusses are pre-fabricated frames that support your roof, commonly made of wood joined with steel plates. Using trusses can lower labor costs because they reduce on-site work. A standard roof truss has three main parts:
Bottom Chord: The horizontal beam at the base.
Top Chords: The angled beams that form the roof’s peak.
Webbing: The internal bracing that adds support.
Several factors affect the cost of roof trusses, which start at $3.50 to $9.25 per linear foot. Here's what influences the pricing:
The size, or span, of the truss is a key cost factor. Span refers to the length of the bottom chord from end to end. Larger trusses cost more. However, what's more important is the length of individual boards and if significant cutting and waste occur during installation.
Average roof truss pricing depends heavily on the number of boards required for their construction. Therefore, the span and pitch of the truss are only important for determining how much material and waste are necessary for construction.
Larger trusses will cost more than smaller ones. However, that’s just a guideline. For example, a 10-foot span may need just as many boards as a 12-foot span but will require more cuts and more waste, so the cost difference is minimal.
The table below shows average ranges for popular common truss sizes.
Size in Feet | Average Cost Range (Materials Only) |
---|---|
20 | $70–$190 |
30 | $100–$280 |
40 | $140–$370 |
50 | $170–$460 |
60 | $210–$560 |
There are two common materials used in roof truss construction: wood and steel. Wooden trusses are used mainly in residential construction, while steel trusses are found mostly in commercial, pole-barn, metal shed, and light industrial markets. Wood trusses are the most common material used for trusses in residential applications and cost about half as much as steel trusses. Wood trusses are about half the price of steel trusses, making them a popular choice for residential construction.
Material | Average Cost Range (per Truss) |
---|---|
Wood | $60–$500 |
Metal | $150–$700 |
Installing roof trusses costs $25 to $75 per hour. Labor for new construction ranges from $4 to $10 per square foot. If you're replacing old trusses, demolition costs are $4 to $5 per square foot. Labor costs are higher in urban areas due to accessibility challenges.
Your roof trusses need to support the weight of roofing materials and any local snow loads. In areas with heavy snowfall, you'll need sturdier trusses, which can cost up to 25% more due to bulkier designs or different styles.
A steeper roof pitch requires trusses with more lumber, which increases the cost. Higher pitches mean you'll pay more for your roof trusses.
Most trusses are installed with two-foot spacing. The length of the roof and truss spacing determines the number of trusses your building needs.
Hiring a crane for installation costs $300 to $1,000, depending on the time required.
Removing new construction debris costs $100 to $200. Disposing of old trusses costs $300 to $1,800.
The type of building impacts your framing costs. Here's a breakdown of costs by building type.
Home framing costs for an average 2,000-square-foot home range between $14,000 and $32,000 or more. A truss roof costs half of that, or about $7,500 to $35,000. On average, a new roof costs $10,000 to $20,000.
Pole barn roofs cost between $5,300 and $15,000. They are less expensive than residential ones because they don't need to support a ceiling or insulation. Due to their large, open areas, pole barns are excellent candidates for steel trusses.
Adding a detached garage roof costs an average of $3,500 to $9,000, depending on whether the garage is finished and the type of roofing. Detached garages tend to cost slightly less than an attached garage because no home tie-ins are necessary. Actual attached garage pricing will vary depending on your location but can be as high as $30 per square foot.
Home additions cost between $22,000 and $83,000, and roof truss costs range from $3,000 to $12,000. Additions, like a lean-to, use mono truss systems with a single slope.
Roof truss classification and naming are based on two factors:
The shape of the interior supports or webbing
The exterior shape of the top and bottom chords
Any combination of the external shape and internal webbing is possible.
Common trusses and their variations are named for different styles of supports, or webbing, inside the triangle structure. The names come from the variety of web configurations needed for larger roofs and different load-bearing needs. The longer the bottom chord, the more webbing is needed.
King Post: The simplest type with a single post placed vertically in the middle.
Fink: Two supports start at the peak and are angled down and away from each other. Modified finks create a "W" shape. They are used extensively in long configurations.
Attic: Creates usable space in the attic for storage or additional living space.
Gable or End Truss: Use vertical webbing for capping the ends of a roof.
Exterior shapes denote the style and have different names and uses:
Hip: Any type with a small flat portion on top.
Mono: Any type with only one pitch; looks like half of a truss.
Gambrel: Any type with two pitches to a side, like a barn roof.
Flat: Uses parallel top and bottom chords with "W" shaped supports; used for flat roofs.
Scissor: A special type that uses a modified bottom chord.
Installing roof trusses is not a DIY job. Hiring a professional roofer ensures precise, secure installation that meets safety standards and building codes. Roofing pros have the expertise to select the right truss types and install them properly. Attempting this project yourself can void warranties and lead to costly damage. For a durable roof structure, leave truss installation to the experts.
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. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the 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.
Roof trusses are required every 24 inches on center. To determine the number of trusses, measure the entire roof’s slope in feet and divide by two, then round up to the nearest whole number to secure proper support. This calculation guarantees complete structural integrity and accommodates additional trusses for overhangs or complex roof designs while strictly following manufacturer specifications.
Truss size depends on your roof’s span and pitch. The pitch is calculated by how many inches the roof rises vertically for every 12 inches it extends horizontally (e.g., a 4/12 pitch rises four inches for every 12 inches of width). The span is the width of the truss from one end to the other. Larger spans need bigger trusses, which are more expensive.
Roof truss installation takes a full day when a proficient team of three professionals is engaged. The installation process follows a strict sequence that uses precise coordination and specialized equipment to align each truss securely with manufacturer guidelines. This efficient methodology ensures a completed roof structure that meets all quality and safety standards without compromise.