A cedar roof typically costs $12,000-$30,000 for a full replacement, with many standard projects averaging about $20,000. The cost of a cedar roof depends on roof area and pitch, whether it uses shingles or shakes, local labor rates, and the expense of removing the old roof.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cedar roof | $8 per sq ft | $14 per sq ft | $25 per sq ft | Materials and installation; roof surface area |
| Full replacement | $12,000 | $20,000 | $35,000 | About 1,500-2,000 sq ft of roof |
| Cedar shingles | $6 per sq ft | $9 per sq ft | $14 per sq ft | Material price before installation |
| Cedar shakes | $8 per sq ft | $13 per sq ft | $20 per sq ft | Material price; thicker, hand-split options cost more |
| Old roof removal | $1 per sq ft | $2 per sq ft | $4 per sq ft | May rise with multiple layers or difficult access |
Assumptions: U.S. prices for a typical residential roof, standard cedar products, ordinary access, and professional installation; local quotes vary.
What a Cedar Roof Costs on a Typical Home
Installed cedar roofing commonly runs $8-$25 per square foot, or about $800-$2,500 per roofing square. One roofing square covers 100 square feet. Standard machine-cut cedar shingles sit near the lower end; premium shakes, complex rooflines, and expensive labor push a project toward the upper end.
For a home with 1,500 square feet of actual roof area, a straightforward installation may cost $12,000-$21,000. A 2,000-square-foot roof often comes to $16,000-$28,000 before unusual repairs or premium details. These figures refer to roof surface, not the home’s interior floor area.
A reasonable planning figure is $14 per roof square foot, with a buffer for tear-off, flashing, and deck repairs. A simple gable roof with standard shingles can beat that estimate, while steep slopes or high-end hand-split shakes can exceed it.
Replacement estimates may include underlayment, starter courses, ridge caps, flashing, and disposal, but inclusions differ. A quote that looks unusually low may omit tear-off, ventilation work, or the cost of replacing damaged sheathing. Comparing line items is more useful than comparing only the final totals.
How Cedar Shingles, Shakes, and Roof Labor Shape the Quote
The material label alone does not describe a complete roof price. Installation labor, old-roof removal, flashing, and roof details can each change the total. The ranges below are typical planning figures, not fixed national rates.
| Quote item | Materials | Labor | Removal or delivery | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cedar shingles | $6-$14 per sq ft | $4-$9 per sq ft | $1-$4 per sq ft for tear-off | $11-$27 per sq ft |
| Cedar shakes | $8-$20 per sq ft | $5-$11 per sq ft | $1-$4 per sq ft for tear-off | $14-$35 per sq ft |
| Underlayment and flashing | $1-$4 per sq ft | $1-$3 per sq ft | $100-$600 delivery, if charged | $2-$7 per sq ft |
| Decking repair | $2-$5 per sq ft of replaced sheathing | $2-$6 per sq ft | $100-$500 disposal | $4-$11 per sq ft of repair area |
| Ridge, valleys, and details | $200-$1,000 | $300-$1,500 | $0-$300 for debris | $500-$2,800 |
Materials and skilled installation usually make up the largest portions of the quote. Item prices can overlap with a contractor’s bundled rate, so they should not be added mechanically to an installed per-square-foot price. Ask whether the proposal includes waste, fasteners, ventilation, flashing, and cleanup.
Roofers may charge by project, by square, or by labor hour. A rough labor calculation is For planning, crew labor may work out to about $50-$100 per worker-hour, though contractors commonly quote a complete installation rather than disclose an hourly rate.
Which Roof Pitch, Cedar Grade, and Area Raise the Price?
Measured roof area is the first major variable. A 2,000-square-foot house may have 2,200-2,800 square feet of roof once slope and overhangs are counted. Contractors calculate the roof itself, then add waste, often around 10%-15% for a straightforward layout and more for many hips, valleys, dormers, or unusual cuts.
Pitch can change both material use and working conditions. A slope below 6:12 is generally easier to access than a steep 8:12 or 10:12 roof. Steep roofs can require extra fall protection, staging, and slower installation, adding roughly 10%-25% to labor on difficult jobs. Local safety practices and roof access affect the actual charge.
Cedar product grade and cut matter. Tapersawn shakes are thicker and more textured than uniform shingles; premium hand-split shakes can cost $5-$10 more per square foot in material than basic shingles. Longer lengths, thicker butts, and higher-grade stock can also raise the order price.
Roof complexity and condition are separate from surface area. Multiple dormers, valleys, skylights, chimneys, and wall intersections require careful flashing and cuts. Replacing 200 square feet of damaged sheathing might add about $800-$2,200, depending on plywood prices, access, and labor.
Roof pitch and usable roof area can change labor and material needs even when two homes have the same floor plan. A detailed measurement and inspection are more reliable than a cost estimate based solely on bedroom count or home size.
How Many Labor Hours Does Cedar Roof Installation Take?
A typical 1,500-2,000-square-foot roof may take a crew of three or four about 3-7 working days for tear-off and cedar installation. A simple roof with open access can move faster; steep slopes, rain delays, intricate flashing, or deck repairs can extend the schedule. These are project-duration estimates, not a guarantee of continuous workdays.
Hand-split shakes often take longer to fit and align than uniform shingles. The added labor may amount to several hundred dollars or more per roofing square, depending on the crew and layout. Contractors may also have minimum charges for small roofs because mobilizing a crew, ladders, safety equipment, and disposal creates fixed costs.
Removal is often priced separately at $1-$4 per square foot. Two or more existing layers, heavy roofing debris, or limited driveway access can increase that rate. If a roof has only one layer and convenient access, ask whether the estimate includes hauling and disposal rather than assuming they are covered.
For a fair labor comparison, request the same written scope from each roofer. It should state crew work, tear-off layers, daily protection from weather, cleanup, flashing details, and any unit price for sheathing repairs.
Why Cedar Roof Quotes Differ by U.S. Region
Prices often run 10%-25% above national midrange in high-cost coastal metros and dense urban areas, where wages, insurance, permits, and disposal fees are higher. In lower-cost rural markets, a comparable job may come in 5%-15% below the national midpoint, but limited access to experienced cedar installers can erase that difference.
Regional supply also matters. Areas with established cedar-roofing trades may have more crews and product choices. In regions where cedar is less common, freight and special-order lead times can add several hundred to a few thousand dollars to a large project. Get the proposed product’s species, grade, thickness, and delivery terms in writing.
Climate affects product selection and installation requirements. Wet or snowy regions may call for careful ventilation, appropriate underlayment, and attention to local code; these details can add cost but are not optional when required. Coastal exposure may affect fastener specifications, while wildfire-prone jurisdictions can restrict untreated wood roofing or require approved assemblies.
Use local bids for the budget instead of applying a national average without adjustment. Request at least three itemized estimates from contractors familiar with cedar in the home’s county, and compare their proposed materials and code-related details.
What Tear-Off, Flashing, and Roof Repairs Add
Beyond the roof covering, several charges can appear as separate quote lines. Tear-off and disposal may cost $1-$4 per square foot. A steep roof, two existing layers, or a long carry to the dumpster can raise that amount. Some roofers include removal in a bundled replacement price, so check for double counting.
Flashing around chimneys, skylights, plumbing vents, and sidewalls can add $200-$1,500 or more, depending on how many details need replacement and whether custom metalwork is required. Replacing roof vents may cost about $100-$400 each installed; adding a skylight or changing its opening is a larger project and should have its own estimate.
Decking repairs are hard to price exactly before old roofing comes off. Ask for a per-sheet or per-square-foot rate and require approval before work exceeds a stated allowance. A contractor may include a modest contingency, but the owner should know whether unused funds are credited back.
Delivery, disposal, permit fees, and taxes vary by location. Permit charges may be under $100 in some jurisdictions or several hundred dollars in others. A dumpster or debris charge may be built into the quote or listed separately, commonly at $300-$900 for a residential replacement.
Unforeseen deck damage is a common reason the final bill exceeds the original roof estimate. A written unit rate for sheathing, flashing, and additional tear-off helps limit surprises once the work begins.
Which Cedar Roof Choices Lower the Bill Without Cutting Corners?
Standard machine-cut shingles generally cost less than hand-split shakes while retaining the cedar appearance. Choosing a readily stocked grade and common length can also reduce special-order freight. Ask for the material specification rather than accepting a broad description such as “cedar shake,” which can refer to products with substantially different thickness and finish.
Keep the scope consistent with the roof’s condition. If only a small area is damaged and the remaining roof is sound, a repair may cost $500-$2,500, depending on access, matching material, and the amount of underlying damage. A patch may be less economical when failures are widespread or the existing cedar is brittle and difficult to match.
Schedule work before an urgent leak forces a rush job, where possible. Contractors may be busier during favorable roofing seasons, and emergency tarping or expedited delivery can add $200-$1,000 or more. A flexible start date can help, but weather protection and a clear completion plan matter more than an unusually low off-season offer.
Homeowners can reduce labor by clearing driveway access and moving outdoor items away from the work zone. They should not climb onto a roof or remove roofing themselves unless qualified and insured; unsafe preparation can cause injuries, property damage, and insurance complications.
Compare bids on identical materials, tear-off, ventilation, flashing, cleanup, and warranty terms—not just the lowest total. Avoid removing necessary underlayment or code-required work to reach a target price, since those cuts can create expensive failures later.
How Cedar Shingles Compare With Asphalt and Metal Roofing
Cedar shingles and shakes usually cost more upfront than common asphalt shingles. Asphalt replacement often falls around $5-$10 per square foot installed, while cedar commonly runs $8-$25. Basic asphalt may be the lower-cost choice when appearance and material authenticity are not priorities; architectural shingles offer more texture but typically remain below premium cedar pricing.
Standing-seam metal roofs often cost about $10-$20 per square foot installed, though complex profiles and premium metals can exceed that range. Metal may have a longer service life and different maintenance needs, but it does not provide the same natural wood appearance. Comparing total installed price alone will not capture differences in expected lifespan, repair skills, or local fire rules.
Wood roofing needs periodic inspection for split, slipped, or deteriorated pieces and for moss or debris that holds moisture. Maintenance may cost $300-$1,000 per visit, depending on roof size and work performed. Treatment costs vary; coating a cedar roof is not a universal requirement, and product compatibility should be confirmed with the roofer and manufacturer.
A cedar roof may last roughly 20-30 years with suitable installation, ventilation, climate conditions, and upkeep; actual life can be shorter or longer. For a simple five-year budget, allow for inspections and minor repairs rather than assuming no expenses after installation. A contractor’s workmanship warranty and the material warranty should be reviewed separately.
Cedar is a higher-upfront-cost choice than asphalt, so compare expected maintenance and replacement timing as well as installation prices. Ask each bidder to identify the product warranty, workmanship coverage, exclusions, and recommended inspection schedule.