Cedar shake shingles typically cost $12,000-$30,000 to install on a 2,000-square-foot roof, with many standard projects near $20,000. Cedar grade, roof pitch, tear-off needs, labor rates, and installation method drive the final price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cedar roof | $6 per sq ft | $10 per sq ft | $15 per sq ft | Roofing area; labor and materials |
| 2,000-square-foot roof | $12,000 | $20,000 | $30,000 | Standard tear-off and installation |
| Cedar materials only | $3 per sq ft | $5 per sq ft | $8 per sq ft | Varies by grade and product type |
What a 2,000-Square-Foot Cedar Roof Usually Costs
For a typical U.S. home, installed cedar shakes run about $6-$15 per square foot of roof area. A 2,000-square-foot roof therefore costs around $12,000-$30,000; the average is approximately $20,000 for mid-grade materials, ordinary access, and a straightforward roof shape. Roof area—not the home’s interior floor area—is used for the estimate.
Hand-split shakes generally cost more than uniform sawn shingles, and premium heartwood or thicker products can push materials and installation above the common range. Steep slopes, dormers, valleys, and complicated roof edges also add labor. Assumptions: U.S. average labor, standard cedar products, existing roof removal included, and no major decking repairs. For early budgeting, use $10 per square foot as a mid-range installed allowance.
How Materials, Tear-Off, and Labor Shape the Quote
Roofing estimates may bundle several tasks, so homeowners can compare quotes more accurately by checking what each line includes. The ranges below are typical allowances per square foot of roof area; local labor and disposal rules can change them.
| Quote item | Typical range | What it covers | Price effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar shakes or shingles | $3-$8 per sq ft | Standard to premium wood roofing | Grade and thickness |
| Installation labor | $3-$6 per sq ft | Laying, fastening, and detailing | Pitch and roof complexity |
| Underlayment and flashing | $0.75-$2 per sq ft | Moisture protection and metal details | Existing condition and specification |
| Removal and disposal | $1-$3 per sq ft | Old roofing tear-off and haul-away | Roof layers and disposal fees |
| Decking repair | $75-$150 per sheet | Replacement of damaged roof sheathing | Amount of rot or deterioration |
Roofers may charge roughly $50-$100 per hour when labor is itemized, but most bids use a project or per-square-foot rate. A quote should identify tear-off, underlayment, flashing, and decking work rather than treating every expense as a single unexplained total.
Roof Pitch, Cedar Grade, and Tear-Off Change the Price
Material selection is a major price lever. Common cedar shingles are usually sawn and relatively uniform; hand-split shakes have a more textured appearance and often require more installation effort. Moving from an economy product to a premium grade can add several dollars per square foot, especially on a large roof.
Pitch and access affect labor. A roof with a slope steeper than 6:12 may require additional fall protection and slower handling, while multiple dormers or valleys increase cutting and flashing work. Removing two existing roofing layers can add roughly $1-$3 per square foot beyond a simple one-layer tear-off. Decking damage is usually priced after inspection, not reliably included as a flat allowance. Confirm roof pitch, number of existing layers, and the cedar product grade before comparing totals.
Where U.S. Cedar Roofing Labor Runs Higher
Regional labor and material availability create meaningful differences. In expensive coastal metros and parts of the Northeast, installed cedar work may run 15%-30% above a national midpoint. Markets with more roofing contractors and shorter material-haul distances may land 5%-15% below it, assuming a similar roof and product.
Freight can affect rural projects or locations far from cedar distributors; delivery charges may add $300-$1,500, depending on distance, order size, and unloading requirements. Local building codes and wildfire rules may also restrict wood roofing or require specific assemblies, potentially making cedar unavailable or adding compliance costs. Compare bids from contractors who price the same cedar specification and include comparable delivery and disposal.
How Long a Cedar Shake Installation Takes
A crew of three or four roofers may need about 5-10 working days for a straightforward 2,000-square-foot roof, including tear-off and installation. A steep roof, intricate layout, poor weather, or extensive sheathing repairs can extend the schedule. Some projects are priced by the roofing square, equal to 100 square feet, rather than by the hour.
Ask whether the quote includes temporary weather protection if the roof will be open overnight, and whether the contractor expects to replace fascia or other adjacent wood. Urgent scheduling can reduce contractor options and may add a rush charge; normal scheduling generally gives more time to compare bids. Labor time rises when roof geometry or access slows installation, not simply because the house has more interior square footage.
Three Cedar Roof Quotes at Different Scopes
These examples illustrate how roof size and complexity can change the budget. They assume typical U.S. pricing, removal of one existing layer, and no major structural repairs.
| Project | Roof area and scope | Approximate total | Implied rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small, simple roof | 1,200 sq ft; standard shingles; 4-6 workdays | $8,400-$12,000 | $7-$10 per sq ft |
| Typical family home | 2,000 sq ft; mid-grade shakes; 5-10 workdays | $18,000-$24,000 | $9-$12 per sq ft |
| Complex premium roof | 2,500 sq ft; premium shakes; steep pitch and detailing | $32,500-$45,000 | $13-$18 per sq ft |
Use these totals as comparison points, not fixed rates; regional labor, product specifications, and repair findings can move an actual quote outside the ranges.
Ways to Lower Cedar Shake Shingle Cost Without Cutting Scope
Keep the material specification consistent across bids: cedar species, grade, thickness, shake or shingle style, and any required treatment should be written down. A lower quote may reflect thinner or lower-grade material, fewer included flashing details, or excluded tear-off rather than a more efficient installation.
Scheduling before peak demand may improve contractor availability, though weather limits the roofing season in many areas. Homeowners can also ask whether sound decking can remain, remove non-roofing debris themselves if permitted, and compare repair pricing for isolated damage against full replacement. Avoid paying for decorative upgrades or premium treatments unless they meet a durability, appearance, or code requirement. The most reliable savings come from controlling material upgrades and confirming exactly what the contractor will remove, repair, and install.