A 28-foot attic truss typically costs $300-$700 per truss for the unit alone, while delivery and installation can bring the installed price to roughly $500-$1,100 each. Total project cost depends on the building length, spacing, usable room width, roof design, local labor, and whether the quote includes a crane, sheathing, or finish work.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One 28′ attic truss | $300 | $475 | $700 | Custom-fabricated, before delivery |
| Truss delivery | $150 | $400 | $900 | Per order; distance and load affect price |
| Set and secure one truss | $150 | $275 | $450 | Labor and equipment allocation |
| Twenty-truss roof package | $10,000 | $16,000 | $25,000 | Typical supply, delivery, and setting range |
Assumptions: 28-foot clear span, engineered wood trusses, standard access, and U.S. residential pricing. Roof package assumes 20 trusses; sheathing, roofing, insulation, and interior finishing may be separate.
What a 28-foot attic truss costs by unit and roof size
An attic truss spans the building width and incorporates a framed center space intended for usable storage or a room. A standard roof truss of the same span is usually less expensive because it does not need the additional open interior configuration and structural framing. The final design must be engineered for the building, loads, roof pitch, and intended use.
Budget $300-$700 for each truss before delivery, or about $500-$1,100 per unit when delivery and setting are included. Lower quotes tend to reflect straightforward designs, common pitches, and larger orders. Higher prices are more likely when the room opening is wide, loads are greater, the roof geometry is complicated, or local fabrication and labor rates are high.
Truss count is usually based on building length and spacing, not the 28-foot span. At 24-inch spacing, a 40-foot-long building needs about 21 trusses, including the end positions; a 30-foot building needs about 16. The supplier’s layout and framing plan determine the actual count.
| Building length | Approximate count at 24″ spacing | Unit-only estimate | Installed estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 ft | 16 trusses | $4,800-$11,200 | $8,000-$17,600 |
| 40 ft | 21 trusses | $6,300-$14,700 | $10,500-$23,100 |
| 50 ft | 26 trusses | $7,800-$18,200 | $13,000-$28,600 |
These totals are planning ranges rather than fixed bids. They exclude roofing, roof sheathing, insulation, drywall, stairs, windows, and other work needed to make the attic space finished living area. Wider truss spacing may reduce the number of pieces but can require larger members or different engineering.
How lumber, engineering, delivery, and setting shape the quote
A truss quote may bundle several charges or list them separately. Comparing the same scope matters: a low material-only quote is not directly comparable with a package that includes freight, crane time, and installation.
| Quote component | Typical range | What changes the charge | Common pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truss fabrication and lumber | $300-$700 per truss | Span, room opening, lumber grade, pitch, and load design | Per engineered unit |
| Engineering and shop drawings | $0-$1,000 per project | Custom design, revisions, and project size | Included or flat fee |
| Delivery | $150-$900 per order | Travel distance, truck access, and load size | Per delivery |
| Crane or lifting equipment | $500-$1,500 per day | Reach, setup, site access, and rental minimum | Daily or hourly |
| Installation labor | $150-$450 per truss | Crew size, bracing, roof height, and site conditions | Per unit or project |
| Disposal or return handling | $100-$500 per order | Packaging, damaged pieces, and supplier policy | Flat fee or allowance |
Confirm whether engineering, bracing, crane service, and delivery are included before comparing the per-truss price. Engineering may be included in a larger purchase, but separate design fees can apply to one-off orders or revised plans. Sales tax may also be charged on taxable materials, depending on state and local rules.
For labor budgeting, contractors may estimate a crew by hours or by the truss count. A crew of three or four might set a straightforward group of 20-25 trusses in one workday when delivery, access, and weather cooperate. A more complicated roof or difficult lift can add time and equipment charges.
Room width, roof pitch, and loads that raise the price
The biggest design variable is the open room width inside the truss. A 28-foot span with a modest central opening can use less material than one designed to create a broad, clear room. The engineer also accounts for ceiling height, floor loads, roof loads, and the location of internal supports.
Changing the room width or load specification can move a quote by hundreds of dollars per truss. A room opening around 8-10 feet is a useful early planning reference, not a universal structural limit. Increasing that opening toward 12-14 feet, or specifying a floor designed for regular occupancy rather than light storage, may require heavier members and more complex connections.
Roof pitch matters because it affects both usable headroom and the shape of the truss. A 6:12 pitch may provide less interior height than an 8:12 pitch, but a steeper design can add lumber and alter the roof profile. Local snow and wind loads matter too: a design for a low-snow area may not work in a region with a 30-50-pound-per-square-foot ground snow load or high wind exposure.
Spacing is another cost tradeoff. Trusses are often laid out 24 inches on center, but a plan may call for 16 inches on center or other spacing based on loads, sheathing, and engineering. For a 40-foot building, reducing spacing from 24 to 16 inches can raise the count from about 21 to roughly 31 pieces, increasing material and installation costs. The design professional must approve spacing changes.
Special features can add fabrication expense. Dormer openings, hips, valleys, unusual overhangs, concentrated point loads, and large openings for stairs may require modified or additional framing. If a future finish is planned, the intended use should be stated before fabrication rather than assuming a storage-rated truss can later support a finished room.
Delivery distance and local labor change installed prices
Regional prices reflect more than lumber costs. Labor availability, plant distance, crane access, local building practices, and weather all influence the installed estimate. A truss fabricated nearby may have a modest freight charge, while a remote site or restricted delivery route can require special transport or additional handling.
As a planning adjustment, installed quotes in high-cost metro areas may run 10%-25% above a typical national midpoint, while some rural markets may come in 5%-15% lower. These differences are not guaranteed: a rural project far from a truss plant may pay more for delivery, and a busy metro job may face added charges for parking, street access, or equipment staging.
| Market condition | Illustrative adjustment | Example on a $16,000 package | Price pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower-cost local labor and nearby plant | 5%-15% below midpoint | $13,600-$15,200 | Shorter travel, lower labor rates |
| Typical suburban access | Near midpoint | About $16,000 | Standard delivery and setting |
| High-cost metro or constrained site | 10%-25% above midpoint | $17,600-$20,000 | Higher wages, access and equipment costs |
Ask whether the delivery quote covers unloading and placement or only transport to the property. A truck may need clear access and a firm staging area; narrow roads, overhead wires, soft ground, or a long carry can require different equipment. A crane’s minimum daily charge can matter even when the actual lift takes only a few hours.
How long installation takes and what crews charge
For a straightforward, accessible roof, a framing crew may set 15-25 trusses in roughly 6-10 hours, including alignment and initial bracing. That is a broad scheduling estimate, not a promise: tall walls, complex framing, wind, rain, or limited crane reach can stretch the work into a second day.
Installation labor often works out to $150-$450 per truss, with crane costs commonly billed separately. Contractors may instead quote a single framing labor amount for the roof. Ask for the crew size, expected work hours, included bracing, and the rate for delays or additional days.
Trusses generally arrive in a specified sequence and should be handled according to the supplier’s instructions. Delayed unloading, a blocked access route, or a building that is not ready can cause standby fees or a return trip. Having the walls, bearing points, and staging area prepared helps keep the crew and crane on schedule.
Three 28-foot truss quotes for common roof scopes
Example totals show how building length and included work affect the budget. They assume a 28-foot span, 24-inch spacing, standard engineered wood, and no finish construction. Actual bids can differ with roof pitch, load requirements, region, and access.
| Example scope | Quantity and unit price | Labor and other charges | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-by-28-foot simple roof | 16 trusses at $375-$525 each | $2,400-$4,000 setting; $250-$600 delivery | $8,650-$13,000 |
| 40-by-28-foot home with 10-foot room opening | 21 trusses at $425-$600 each | $3,500-$5,500 setting; $500-$1,000 delivery and crane allocation | $12,925-$19,100 |
| 50-by-28-foot roof with larger room opening | 26 trusses at $500-$700 each | $5,000-$8,000 setting; $700-$1,500 delivery and equipment | $18,700-$27,700 |
The larger-room example assumes extra material and more demanding engineering than a small center opening. None of the examples includes sheathing or the interior build-out. A contractor quote should identify whether the total includes roof decking, temporary bracing, permanent bracing, taxes, and any required inspections.
Attic trusses versus standard trusses and stick framing
A 28-foot standard truss can cost less per piece, often about $150-$350 before delivery, because it does not create the same open central room. It may be suitable for a conventional roof or unoccupied attic, but it is not a direct substitute if the project needs usable space. Altering a standard truss to create a room can compromise its engineered structure.
Choose the framing method around the required space and structural plan, not just the lowest unit price. Stick framing can make irregular roof shapes or on-site changes easier, but it often requires more framing labor and may take longer. For a simple roof repeated across a building, factory-built attic trusses can reduce on-site cutting while carrying a higher material cost than standard trusses.
For a rough comparison, stick-framed roof structure may add $10-$25 per square foot of roof area for framing labor and lumber, excluding roofing and interior finishes. The spread is wide because roof complexity and local carpenter rates differ. A project-specific comparison should include the same span, room dimensions, loads, sheathing, and labor scope for both approaches.
How to lower a 28-foot attic truss quote without risking design
Request pricing from at least three truss suppliers or framing contractors using the same drawings and specifications. Compare total delivered-and-set costs, not only the stated price per truss. A complete quote should state the quantity, spacing, lumber or truss specification, engineering documents, freight, crane allowance, bracing, exclusions, and price validity period.
The safest savings usually come from simplifying the approved design and avoiding duplicate or unnecessary charges. Finalize the room width, roof pitch, overhangs, and openings before fabrication; late revisions can trigger redesign fees, replacement pieces, or schedule delays. Ask the designer whether a narrower room opening or simpler roof geometry can meet the intended use at a lower engineered cost.
Coordinate delivery with the building schedule and confirm that the site can receive the truck and crane. Prepare bearing walls and staging space, keep access clear, and verify that the crew has the latest truss layout. These steps can reduce standby time, return trips, and added equipment hours.
Do not reduce truss count, change spacing, remove bracing, or substitute lumber without approval from the engineer or truss designer. Any apparent material saving can create a structural problem or fail inspection. If a finished room is not essential, comparing a standard truss roof with an attic truss package may reveal a meaningful difference, provided the plans and future use allow that choice.