What Does a 1,500 Sq Ft Roof Cost?
A 1,500 square foot roof costs $6,000 to $13,500 installed in 2026.[1] That's for architectural asphalt shingles, which is what most homes have. Metal, tile, and flat roofs cost more. Full breakdown below.
A 1,500 sq ft roof is typical for a smaller ranch home (1,200-1,400 sq ft on the floor plan) or a mid-size two-story home (2,700-3,000 sq ft floor plan, since the roof only covers the upper story). It's one of the most common roof sizes in America.
Cost by Material (1,500 Sq Ft Roof)
Here's what most homeowners pay for a 1,500 sq ft roof by material, including tear-off of the old roof:[1]
| Material | Cost Range (installed) | Per Sq Ft | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-tab asphalt shingles | $4,500 – $8,250 | $3.00 – $5.50 | 15–20 years |
| Architectural asphalt shingles | $6,000 – $13,500 | $4.00 – $9.00 | 25–30 years |
| Designer / luxury shingles | $10,500 – $19,500 | $7.00 – $13.00 | 30–50 years |
| Standing seam metal | $10,500 – $21,000 | $7.00 – $14.00 | 40–70 years |
| Metal shingles | $9,000 – $16,500 | $6.00 – $11.00 | 40–70 years |
| Tile (clay or concrete) | $15,000 – $27,000 | $10.00 – $18.00 | 50–100 years |
| Flat roof (TPO/EPDM) | $6,000 – $10,500 | $4.00 – $7.00 | 20–30 years |
Architectural shingles are the default choice for most homeowners. If you just want the "normal" answer to "how much for a new roof on my 1,500 sq ft home," use the $6,000 to $13,500 range.
Where Your Money Goes on a 1,500 Sq Ft Roof
Take a $9,500 mid-range architectural shingle job. Here's how that money typically breaks down:[2]
| Line Item | Typical Cost | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Shingles and materials | $3,800 – $4,750 | 40%–50% |
| Labor | $3,325 – $4,275 | 35%–45% |
| Tear-off and disposal | $475 – $950 | 5%–10% |
| Permits and overhead | $475 – $1,425 | 5%–15% |
A 1,500 sq ft roof needs 15 squares of shingles, about 45 bundles plus 10% for waste. You'll also need underlayment, flashing, drip edge, ridge cap, and starter strip.[3]
How Small Roofs Compare on Per-Square-Foot Cost
Smaller roofs sometimes cost slightly more per square foot than larger ones. Fixed overhead costs — permit fees, dumpster rental, crew mobilization, minimum labor time — don't scale down with roof size. A 1,500 sq ft roof has the same dumpster and permit costs as a 2,000 sq ft roof, spread over fewer square feet.
That said, the difference is small. We're talking 5-10% higher per sq ft, not 30%. Most homeowners won't notice unless they're comparing quotes for very different home sizes.
Labor Math on a 1,500 Sq Ft Roof
A crew of 4 can usually finish a 1,500 sq ft shingle roof in a single long day — 8 to 12 hours from dumpster drop to cleanup. That's 32 to 48 crew-hours total.
At average labor rates, that's $2,400 to $4,500 in labor.[4] Steep roofs, complex shapes, or multiple dormers push toward the high end. Simple walkable gables stay at the low end.
Pitch Adjustment
| Roof Pitch | Multiplier | Extra Cost (on $9,500 base) |
|---|---|---|
| Low (you can walk it easily) | 1.0x | $0 |
| Medium (walkable but angled) | 1.15x | +$1,425 |
| Steep (you cannot walk it) | 1.35x | +$3,325 |
Tear-Off Cost
Removing the old roof adds $1 to $2 per square foot — so $1,500 to $3,000 on a 1,500 sq ft roof.[1] That covers the labor to strip the old shingles, dumpster rental, and disposal fees.
Some roofers will offer to overlay new shingles on top of the old ones to save money. Don't. Overlays hide problems, add weight, and often void the manufacturer warranty.
Location Variance
| Metro | Multiplier | Typical Range (Arch Shingles) |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC | 1.00x | $6,750 – $11,250 |
| Charlotte, NC | 1.05x | $7,100 – $11,800 |
| Durham, NC | 1.00x | $6,750 – $11,250 |
| Greensboro, NC | 0.92x | $6,200 – $10,350 |
| Wilmington, NC | 1.12x | $7,550 – $12,600 |
| Charleston, SC | 1.08x | $7,300 – $12,150 |
Same Home, Different Sizes
Cost scales roughly linearly with roof size. If you're between size tiers, here's what the other common sizes cost at architectural shingle rates:
- 1,500 sq ft — $6,000 – $13,500 (this page)
- 2,000 sq ft — $8,000 – $17,000
- 2,500 sq ft — $10,000 – $21,250
- 3,000 sq ft — $12,000 – $25,500
What a Cheap Quote Looks Like
If a roofer quotes you less than $4,500 for a 1,500 sq ft asphalt replacement with tear-off, something is wrong. Either they're skipping code-required items, using the cheapest 3-tab shingles and calling them architectural, overlaying instead of tearing off, or they aren't insured.
A real, honest quote for a standard 1,500 sq ft architectural shingle job falls in the $6,000 to $12,000 range. Anything much lower deserves scrutiny. See our roofing scams guide before signing anything.
Get a Personalized Estimate
Our roof cost calculator gives you a real number for your specific 1,500 sq ft home in about 60 seconds. Pick your house type, material, pitch, and location. No email, no sales pitch.
Related Reading
Sources
- Material and installation costs based on Q1 2026 pricing data from ABC Supply, QXO/Beacon, and SRS Distribution regional catalogs. Last updated March 2026.
- Cost breakdown percentages based on NRCA industry benchmarks and contractor bid data. Last updated March 2026.
- Retail bundle pricing sourced from ABC Supply, Beacon, and Home Depot/SRS Distribution Q1 2026 catalogs. Last updated March 2026.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Roofers (SOC 47-2181). Regional multipliers derived from BLS metro data. Last updated March 2026.