A shingle roof replacement on a typical two-storey Calgary home costs about $5,000 to $15,000. Where yours lands depends on the roof’s size and pitch, how many old layers come off, whether the wood deck underneath needs work, and which shingle you pick.
That range covers most houses we quote. The rest of this post is about the things that push a job past it, and the costs that never show up in the headline number.
How much does a new roof cost per square in Calgary?
Roofers price by the “square”, which is 100 square feet of roof surface, not floor space. Posters on RedFlagDeals report recent asphalt quotes of about $3.80 to $4.90 per square foot of roof, plus tax.
Roof area is bigger than your home’s footprint because of the slope and the overhangs, so a 1,500 sq ft bungalow has more than 15 squares of roof. A steep two-storey with dormers can have more roof than floor.
HomeStars puts the average asphalt roof job in Calgary at $11,609, based on 470 reviewed jobs. Treat that as a market average, not a quote. A measured inspection is the only way to price your roof.
What is the most expensive part of replacing a roof?
Labour and disposal usually cost more than the shingles. The things that add the most:
- More than one layer of old shingles to tear off
- Rotten or soft decking that has to be replaced sheet by sheet
- A steep pitch, which slows the crew and needs more safety gear
- Valleys, skylights, chimneys and dormers, which all need new flashing
- Spaced boards under an old cedar roof, which need a full new deck (more on that below)
Decking is the one you can’t know until the old roof is off. A good quote names a price per sheet of plywood so a surprise doesn’t turn into a fight.
Do impact-rated shingles change the price?
Yes. Class 4 shingles are impact rated for hail, and they cost more than a standard roof. The City of Calgary’s climate guide puts the extra at roughly 45% over a basic three-tab roof. It says they cut the chance of hail damage by about 15 times and pay for themselves in about five years.
On r/Calgary, homeowners report the step from Class 3 to Class 4 on the same laminated shingle running about $1,000 on a typical house. Some insurers discount premiums for impact-rated roofs, so call yours before you choose.
How much will insurance pay toward a new roof?
On a sudden hail or wind claim, standard home insurance usually covers the damage, minus your deductible. The catch is age. On an older roof, many policies pay a depreciated amount, prorated by how much life the roof had left.
One Alberta homeowner on RedFlagDeals described a $7,000 roof where the insurer offered about half after prorating. Read your policy for “actual cash value” or “depreciation” before the adjuster visits.
Check the adjuster’s list too. We’ve documented more than 1,200 hail claims since 2014, and almost every insurance claim we see is missing items.
Hail is not a rare event here. The Insurance Bureau of Canada says the August 5, 2024 Calgary hailstorm caused nearly $2.8 billion in insured damage across more than 130,000 claims, after major storms in 2020 and 2021.
If hail is why you’re reading this, our hail damage roof repair page explains what to check first.
Can your insurer make you replace your roof?
Yes, at renewal. CTV News Calgary reported on a homeowner whose insurer gave her 12 months to replace an aging roof or lose her policy. The roof wasn’t leaking. It was just old.
If your roof is past 20 years, expect the question. Getting a quote early lets you pick the timing and the contractor, instead of rushing in the spring after a renewal letter arrives.
Why do two roof quotes differ by thousands?
Usually because they aren’t quoting the same job. Line the quotes up and check each one for these:
| Line item | What to look for |
|---|---|
| GST | Most quotes are “plus tax”. 5% on a $12,000 roof is $600. |
| Tear-off | How many layers are included, and the price if they find another. |
| Decking | A price per sheet for any rotten plywood. |
| Ice and water membrane | Where it goes (eaves, valleys) and which grade. |
| Flashing and vents | New or reused. If the quote doesn’t say new, assume reused. |
| Shingle | Brand, product line, impact class and colour. |
| Warranty | Workmanship length, what it covers, and whether it transfers if you sell. |
| Clean-up | Magnet sweep for nails, and how the old roof leaves your property. |
Warranty transfer catches people out. One Calgary buyer found the “lifetime” roof on their new house was void because nobody transferred the warranty within the 60 days the contract allowed.
A quote far below the others is worth a phone call. It’s often missing tear-off, decking or the insurance and WCB coverage that protects you if someone gets hurt on your roof.
What does it cost to replace a cedar shake roof in Calgary?
More than a shingle-over-shingle job, because cedar in many older Calgary neighbourhoods sits on spaced boards rather than solid sheathing. Shingles and most metal need a solid deck, so the job adds a full layer of plywood before anything else goes on.
One Alberta homeowner shared a full quote round on RedFlagDeals for a 2,700 sq ft cedar roof. Class 4 architectural shingles came in around $22,000. Rubber and metal shingle options were around $40,000, and standing seam metal went higher. Those are one family’s quotes, not a price list, but they show the spread.
Is $30,000 too much for a roof?
For a standard asphalt roof on a typical Calgary house, usually yes. That number fits a very large or steep roof, a cedar conversion, or a metal roof.
If you’re quoted $30,000 for shingles on an average two-storey, ask for the squares, the tear-off layers and the decking allowance in writing, then get a second quote.
Why most of our roofs take one day
Most of the houses we roof are finished in a day. We put enough people on the job to get it done in one go, which avoids a second day of travel and set-up.
We’ve been roofing in Calgary since 2011 and take on 200 to 300 projects a year, from small repairs to large commercial jobs. Full shingle replacements come with a limited lifetime workmanship warranty, and we install IKO and Malarkey shingles.
See what’s included on our roof replacement page, or call 403-608-9933 for a measured quote. We work across Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere and Okotoks.
Common questions
Should I replace a 20-year-old roof?
Not just because of its age. If the shingles are curling, losing granules or leaking, a 20-year-old asphalt roof is near the end of its life. If it looks sound, an inspection can tell you how much life is left, and your insurer may ask about it at renewal. See how long shingles really last in Calgary.
How long does a roof replacement take in Calgary?
Most house roofs are finished in a day. Rotten decking, a cedar conversion or bad weather can add time, and booking lead times run longer after a big hailstorm.
Is a flat roof cheaper than a pitched roof?
Flat roofs use different systems, like torch-on or TPO membranes, and are priced differently. Our flat roofing page covers garages, additions and low-slope sections.
Can I repair my roof instead of replacing it?
Often, yes. A few blown-off shingles or one leak around a vent is usually a repair. Our roof repair page explains when a repair is enough.
