Presidential Shake shingles cost more than standard asphalt shingles because they are a heavy, premium laminated product designed to resemble wood shakes. For a typical 2,000-square-foot roof, homeowners may pay about $18,000-$32,000 installed; roof size, pitch, tear-off, local labor, and flashing work can shift the quote substantially.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed roofing | $9 per sq ft | $12 per sq ft | $16 per sq ft | Roof surface area, standard access |
| 2,000-square-foot roof | $18,000 | $24,000 | $32,000 | Before unusual repairs or upgrades |
| Shingles only | $250 per square | $350 per square | $475 per square | One square covers 100 sq ft; product and seller vary |
| Removal and disposal | $1 per sq ft | $2 per sq ft | $4 per sq ft | Per layer removed; access and dump fees matter |
Presidential Shake roof prices by size and scope
For planning, installed Presidential Shake roofing commonly falls around $9-$16 per square foot of roof area, or $900-$1,600 per roofing square. The lower end generally assumes a straightforward roof, ordinary access, one existing layer, and limited repairs. The upper end is more likely with steep or complex roof geometry, premium underlayment, multiple tear-off layers, or higher-cost labor markets.
A roofing square equals 100 square feet of roof surface, not 100 square feet of house floor area. A home listed as 2,000 square feet may have a roof larger than that once roof pitch, eaves, and attached areas are included. Contractors usually measure the roof itself and add waste for cuts and layout.
Assumptions: U.S. planning ranges for a completed asphalt-shingle replacement, standard color availability, normal access, and no major structural repairs. Regional quotes vary.
| Measured roof area | Low installed estimate | Typical estimate | High installed estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | $13,500 | $18,000 | $24,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $18,000 | $24,000 | $32,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $22,500 | $30,000 | $40,000 |
These examples apply the same $9-$16-per-square-foot range to measured roof area. A quote can exceed the table if decking is damaged, access requires special equipment, or the project includes gutters, skylights, or ventilation work.
Where Presidential Shake material and labor charges go
The product is only one part of the installed price. A complete estimate should identify removal, disposal, underlayment, flashing, edge details, ventilation, and labor separately where practical. For a 2,000-square-foot roof, labor and tear-off together can represent several thousand dollars of the total.
| Quote component | Typical range | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential Shake shingles | $5-$9 per sq ft | Color, product line, distributor, waste allowance |
| Underlayment and water barriers | $0.50-$1.50 per sq ft | Material grade and ice-dam protection area |
| Installation labor | $2.50-$5.50 per sq ft | Pitch, layout, crew rate, roof access |
| Removal and disposal | $1-$4 per sq ft | Number of layers and dump charges |
| Flashing, ridge, and ventilation | $500-$2,500 total | Chimneys, valleys, vents, and edge length |
| Decking repairs | $3-$8 per sq ft replaced | Rot, delamination, and amount uncovered |
Ranges are planning estimates and may overlap when contractors bundle materials and labor into a single installed rate. Confirm whether the bid includes starter shingles, ridge caps, drip edge, flashing replacement, cleanup, and permit fees.
Decking is often priced as an allowance because its condition may not be visible until the old roof is removed. Ask for the per-sheet or per-square-foot repair rate and written approval before work beyond the allowance proceeds.
How roof pitch, valleys, and decking alter the estimate
Roof shape and condition can move the quote beyond the base rate. Steeper pitches and many intersecting roof planes usually raise labor and waste costs even when the measured area stays the same. A simple gable roof is generally faster to cover than a roof with dormers, hips, valleys, and multiple chimneys.
Pitch is commonly expressed as rise over 12 inches of horizontal run. A 6:12 roof is steeper than a 4:12 roof; at pitches around 8:12 or higher, roofers may need additional fall-protection procedures and work more slowly. The effect depends on access, crew practices, and local safety requirements, but a complex or steep roof can add roughly 10%-25% to labor compared with a straightforward low-pitch job.
Waste also depends on layout. A simple roof may require about 10% extra material, while roofs with many hips, valleys, dormers, or irregular sections may need 15%-20%. That allowance matters with a high-priced shingle: the estimate should show whether the material quantity already includes waste rather than adding it twice.
Decking condition is another uncertainty. Replacing a few damaged sheets might add a few hundred dollars, while widespread rot can add $1,000-$4,000 or more. Flashing around a chimney, skylight, or wall intersection can also require custom labor; request a scope listing which metal components are reused and which are replaced.
What roof replacement labor hours mean for the bill
A typical crew may complete a straightforward 2,000-square-foot roof in one to three working days, including tear-off and installation. A steep, multi-plane roof or one with repairs can take longer. Crew size, weather, delivery timing, and the number of existing layers all influence the schedule, so a promised one-day installation should be matched to the actual scope.
Roofing labor rates vary by region and company structure. When an estimate separates labor, a rough planning range is $50-$100 per worker-hour, though contractors often quote by the job rather than hourly. The installed rate also covers supervision, insurance, equipment, travel, and business overhead, not just time spent fastening shingles.
Compare the included work rather than treating the lowest labor line as the lowest complete price. Confirm who handles tear-off, weather protection, cleanup, magnetic nail pickup, and repairs discovered after removal. Ask whether the crew is covered by the contractor’s insurance and whether the installer is responsible for warranty registration and workmanship coverage.
Scheduling can affect price when a roof needs urgent weather protection or work during a period of high local demand. A planned replacement booked in advance may allow more contractor availability than an emergency job after a leak or storm. Weather delays can extend the project, but should not automatically mean the quoted price changes unless the contract specifies a chargeable scope change.
Regional labor rates shift Presidential Shake quotes
National ranges are not fixed local prices. In expensive coastal metros and parts of the Northeast, labor and disposal can put a comparable roof roughly 10%-25% above a national midpoint. Many Midwestern and Southern markets may come in near the midpoint, while some lower-cost rural areas can be 5%-15% below it, provided materials and experienced installers are readily available.
Local conditions can reverse those broad comparisons. A rural job with a long delivery route, limited roofing crews, or difficult access may cost more than a suburban project. In snowy climates, ice-and-water protection may be required along eaves and valleys; in high-wind areas, fastening details and local code requirements can add materials or labor.
To compare regional quotes fairly, request bids from contractors who measure the same roof area and specify the same tear-off layers, underlayment, flashing scope, and disposal. A difference of 15% or more may reflect scope or labor-market differences, not simply a markup. Ask each bidder to explain the largest line-item differences and confirm whether sales tax or permit charges are included.
Which upgrades are worth adding to a Shake roof quote
Presidential Shake is a premium architectural asphalt shingle, so upgrades should be assessed against the roof’s condition and the home’s needs. Replacing worn flashing or improving inadequate ventilation may address a real problem; adding unrelated accessories to every project may not. Approve upgrades only when the estimate states the problem they solve and their separate price.
Common extras include upgraded underlayment, ice-and-water membrane, new pipe boots, ridge ventilation, drip edge, and chimney flashing. Depending on scope, ventilation changes may add $300-$1,200, while extensive flashing replacement can add $500-$2,000. These are broad estimates; the number of penetrations, roof edges, and valleys affects the amount.
Permits and inspections are set locally. A straightforward reroof permit may cost about $100-$500, although some jurisdictions charge more or require additional inspections. Ask the contractor to identify who obtains the permit, whether fees are included, and whether local rules require decking, ventilation, or fastening upgrades.
Removal is another frequent source of added cost. Taking off one existing asphalt layer often fits within the stated tear-off range; a second layer can add roughly $1-$3 per square foot because of added labor, weight, and disposal. Installing new shingles over old ones may be restricted by code or manufacturer requirements and can hide damaged decking, so it is not automatically the cheaper sound option.
How to lower the price without cutting roof performance
First, keep the scope consistent across bids. A low quote may exclude tear-off, flashing, permits, or a full waste allowance. Provide the same project details to each contractor and compare the final installed total, not just the shingles-per-square price. Written, itemized quotes make it easier to spot missing work before signing.
Choose standard available colors when they meet the design requirements. Special-order colors or limited supply can affect delivery time and price, while avoiding unnecessary premium accessories can keep the project focused. Do not reduce required underlayment, flashing, or code-compliant installation details simply to lower the bid.
Where practical, complete roof-related work together. Replacing damaged fascia or arranging gutter work during the same project may reduce repeat setup or mobilization charges, but the bids should still separate each task. If gutters are sound, avoid bundling replacement solely because a roofer is already present.
Schedule a replacement before active leaks become an emergency. A roof that can be planned in normal working conditions gives more time to compare quotes and coordinate material delivery. If only a small, isolated area is damaged and the surrounding shingles are serviceable, ask whether a repair is viable; the contractor should explain color matching, weathering, and whether the repair affects the existing warranty.
Three sample Presidential Shake roof estimates
These examples show how roof geometry and included work change the total. They are illustrative, not guaranteed quotes, and assume ordinary regional material availability. Use the scope and unit rates to compare estimates rather than copying a sample total as a fixed market price.
| Project | Scope and unit pricing | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Simple 1,600 sq ft roof | Shingles and installation at $10 per sq ft; one-layer removal at $1.50 per sq ft; $600 flashing allowance | $19,000 |
| Typical 2,000 sq ft roof | Shingles and installation at $11.50 per sq ft; removal at $2 per sq ft; $1,200 ventilation and flashing work | $28,200 |
| Complex 2,400 sq ft roof | Shingles and installation at $14 per sq ft; removal at $3 per sq ft; $2,500 repairs and detail work | $43,300 |
In the first example, the base installed charge is $16,000, removal is $2,400, and the allowance is $600. The second totals $23,000 for installation, $4,000 for tear-off, and $1,200 for listed extras. The complex example reflects higher labor and removal rates along with a larger repair allowance; substantial decking replacement could increase it further.
Before accepting a bid, check measured roof area, shingle quantity, waste percentage, product name, and warranty terms. Confirm the payment schedule, start-date conditions, cleanup, and process for approving hidden repairs. A clear estimate should distinguish included work from allowances and state what happens if the final quantity or roof condition differs.