A shake shingle roof typically costs $12,000-$50,000 installed, with many standard homes landing near $28,000-$32,000. Roof area, cedar grade, tear-off, roof pitch, and local labor rates drive the final quote; shake usually costs more than basic asphalt shingles because the material and installation require specialized work.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed shake roof | $8-$12 per sq ft | $12-$18 per sq ft | $18-$25+ per sq ft | Installed rates vary by wood grade, roof design, and market. |
| 2,000-sq-ft roof | $16,000 | $30,000 | $50,000+ | Roof surface area, not home floor area. |
| Tear-off and disposal | $1-$2 per sq ft | $2-$4 per sq ft | $4-$6 per sq ft | Higher for multiple layers or difficult access. |
| Wood shake material | $4-$7 per sq ft | $7-$11 per sq ft | $11-$15+ per sq ft | Material-only estimate; premium cedar may exceed this range. |
What a cedar shake roof costs by roof size
Installed natural wood shake roofing commonly runs $12-$25 per square foot, or about $1,200-$2,500 per roofing square. One roofing square covers 100 square feet. At the lower end, a simple roof may use standard-grade shakes and have easy access; the upper end can reflect premium cedar, steep slopes, complex details, or costly regional labor.
For a 2,000-square-foot roof, a practical planning range is $24,000-$50,000 before unusual repairs or upgrades. A 1,500-square-foot roof might cost $18,000-$37,500, while a 3,000-square-foot roof could reach $36,000-$75,000. These examples use roof surface area and installed pricing, not the home’s interior square footage.
Roof surface area is often 10%-25% greater than the home’s footprint because of slope, overhangs, and roof shape. A contractor may quote in roofing squares, per square foot, or as a single project price. Ask whether the proposal includes underlayment, flashing, tear-off, disposal, and replacement of damaged decking.
Assumptions: U.S. averages for a full replacement, standard cedar shakes, one existing layer, and normal access. Regional labor and material availability can shift totals substantially.
How tear-off, cedar, and flashing appear in a quote
A roof quote combines materials, skilled installation, removal, and project expenses. The table below gives broad typical ranges for a 2,000-square-foot roof. Line items may be bundled, so homeowners should compare the scope rather than judging proposals only by the total.
| Quote item | Typical range | Common pricing basis | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar shakes and fasteners | $8,000-$22,000 | $4-$11 per sq ft | Grade, thickness, exposure, and waste. |
| Installation labor | $8,000-$18,000 | $4-$9 per sq ft | Pitch, valleys, height, and crew experience. |
| Old roof removal | $2,000-$8,000 | $1-$4 per sq ft | Layer count, tear-off difficulty, and disposal. |
| Underlayment and flashing | $1,000-$4,000 | $0.50-$2 per sq ft | Waterproofing specification and metal details. |
| Decking repair and disposal | $500-$4,000+ | $75-$150 per damaged sheet, plus haul-away | Rot, moisture damage, and debris volume. |
| Permit and overhead | $300-$2,000 | Local fee or project allowance | Jurisdiction, insurance, warranty, and company costs. |
Labor and shake materials are usually the largest portions of a replacement estimate. A contractor should describe the wood species and grade, fastener type, underlayment, flashing replacement, ventilation work, cleanup, and warranty. If the quote includes a contingency, it should state how concealed damage is priced and when the homeowner must approve added work.
For estimating purposes, a roofing crew’s labor may work out to roughly $50-$100 per worker-hour, although contractors generally bid the complete job rather than bill by the hour.
Which roof pitch, cedar grade, and details raise the price
Roof geometry and installation conditions can shift a quote by thousands of dollars. A basic gable roof has fewer cuts than a roof with dormers, hips, valleys, skylights, and intersecting planes. Every transition requires careful flashing and fitting, while steep or tall roofs slow material handling and increase safety requirements.
Two measurable thresholds matter: slopes above about 6:12 often require additional safety setup, and complex roofs with several valleys can add 10%-25% over a simple design. Pitch notation describes vertical rise over 12 inches of horizontal run. Some contractors charge more once a roof exceeds 8:12, but pricing thresholds vary by crew and access.
Shake grade also affects the bill. Standard-grade cedar may cost roughly $4-$8 per square foot for material, while premium, thicker, or longer-lasting grades can run $8-$15 or more. Hand-split shakes have a more textured face and can cost more than sawn shakes. The specification should state thickness, length, grade, and exposure because these details affect both the purchase price and installed coverage.
Roof deck condition is another uncertainty. Replacing a few damaged sheets may add $75-$150 each, while extensive rot can add several thousand dollars. A second layer of old roofing, difficult driveway access, or a roof more than two stories high may also increase removal and setup charges. Ask whether the quote includes a defined decking allowance.
How regional labor changes shake roofing prices
Local wage levels, building rules, climate, and the availability of experienced shake installers create meaningful price differences. In many lower-cost Midwest or rural markets, a straightforward installation may fall near $10-$16 per square foot. Higher-cost coastal metros and parts of the Northeast or West Coast may run $15-$25 or more per square foot for comparable scope.
Urban quotes can be 15%-30% above a rural-market estimate, while remote locations may also cost more when material delivery is difficult. These are planning comparisons, not fixed regional tariffs. A market with limited cedar-roofing crews can have high rates even when general construction labor is less expensive.
Climate and local codes can affect material and installation choices. Wet or humid areas may require particular underlayment, ventilation, and detailing to manage moisture. In wildfire-prone communities, local rules may restrict wood roofing or require fire-retardant treatment, approved assemblies, or additional documentation. Confirm that shake roofing is permitted and insurable before paying for a detailed design.
For a useful comparison, request at least three local estimates with matching roof area, shake grade, tear-off scope, and warranty terms. A low quote may simply exclude flashing, disposal, or deck repairs. Check whether sales tax applies to materials or installation under local rules.
How long a shake installation takes and what labor covers
A typical 2,000-square-foot replacement may take a crew of four to six workers about 5-10 working days. A simple roof with clear access can finish sooner; steep pitch, intricate details, bad weather, or decking repairs can extend the schedule. The calendar duration may be longer when materials are backordered or inspections are required.
Installation time is driven by hand placement and detailing, not just the number of square feet. The crew generally removes the old covering, inspects the deck, installs underlayment and flashing, lays out the shakes, fastens each course, and cleans the site. Ask if the contractor will protect exposed roof areas overnight and how weather delays are handled.
Labor pricing can be estimated at roughly $4-$9 per square foot for standard work, with complex or steep roofs reaching $10-$14 per square foot. A contractor might instead present labor as part of a complete installed rate. Compare crew experience with wood roofing: shake installation needs appropriate spacing and fastening to allow drainage and ventilation.
Project start dates can affect the price indirectly. During busy roofing seasons, contractors may have limited openings and less flexibility on scheduling. Emergency work after storm damage can carry a premium, especially when temporary covering, expedited delivery, or weekend labor is needed. A written schedule should distinguish working days from elapsed calendar days.
Three sample shake roof quotes for different homes
These examples show how size and complexity affect a quote. They assume natural cedar shake, tear-off of one existing layer, standard underlayment, and no major hidden deck damage. Actual bids depend on local wages, product availability, and code requirements.
| Roof scenario | Scope and crew time | Estimated total | Approximate rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,400 sq ft simple ranch | Standard shakes, one layer removed, 4 workers for 5 days | $16,800-$22,400 | $12-$16 per sq ft |
| 2,000 sq ft two-story home | Mid-grade cedar, flashing replacement, 5 workers for 7 days | $28,000-$38,000 | $14-$19 per sq ft |
| 2,800 sq ft steep, detailed roof | Premium shakes, multiple valleys, 6 workers for 10 days | $53,200-$70,000 | $19-$25 per sq ft |
The largest sample costs more per square foot because steepness and roof details increase labor and safety demands. For instance, a 2,000-square-foot quote at $16 per square foot totals $32,000; added decking replacement or a second tear-off layer would increase it. Treat crew-day figures as scheduling examples, not a substitute for the contractor’s site-specific labor plan.
To compare bids, check whether all three include the same tear-off, disposal, cedar grade, flashing, ventilation, and warranty. Request unit prices for decking replacement and any extra tear-off layer. Those rates make it easier to understand and approve change orders if the crew finds concealed damage after work begins.
Shake, shingle, and synthetic roof prices compared
Natural wood shake offers a distinctive split texture, but it is not the lowest-cost roof covering. Asphalt shingles commonly cost about $4-$8 per square foot installed, while architectural asphalt may run $5-$10. Natural cedar shake often costs $12-$25 per square foot installed. Synthetic shake products can fall around $8-$16 per square foot, depending on the product and roof complexity.
Replacing shake with asphalt may cut the initial roofing bill by roughly 30%-60%, but it changes appearance and may not meet neighborhood or historic requirements. Synthetic products can imitate wood while reducing some upkeep, though their product warranties and fire ratings vary. Ask for complete installed estimates and confirm that the proposed material is approved by the local building authority and insurer.
Repair can be economical when damage is limited to a small area. Replacing a few loose or split shakes may cost $300-$1,000, while a larger repair involving several dozen shakes, flashing, or difficult access can reach $1,000-$3,000. Contractors may set a minimum service charge of $200-$500, particularly for small repairs.
Repair is less suitable when widespread cracking, leaks, decay, or recurring failures affect multiple roof planes. A repair quote should specify replacement quantity and whether matching shakes are available. If the roof is nearing the end of its service life, compare the repair expense with the cost of a full replacement rather than treating a small patch as a long-term fix.
How to lower the shake roof bill without cutting essentials
Homeowners can control cost by keeping the scope clear and choosing specifications before signing. Compare standard and premium cedar grades, but ask the contractor to explain differences in thickness, appearance, and expected performance. Do not pay for an upgrade based only on a vague label such as “better quality”; request the exact product grade and installation specification.
The safest savings usually come from avoiding unnecessary scope, not skipping water-management or fastening details. If the existing flashing is sound and local code permits reuse, ask whether selective replacement is appropriate. Conversely, reusing corroded flashing or omitting required underlayment can create expensive leak repairs later.
Schedule routine replacement before an active leak becomes an emergency. A planned job allows time to compare bids, order materials, and avoid rush charges. If other roof work is already scheduled, ask whether related tasks such as gutter removal or attic ventilation improvements can be coordinated without duplicating setup fees.
Clear access to the driveway and roof perimeter, move outdoor items, and confirm utility or landscaping concerns before the crew arrives. These steps can reduce delays, but homeowners should not climb onto a roof or remove roofing themselves. Ask for a written cleanup and disposal plan, a start-to-finish price, and approval requirements for unexpected decking work.
Finally, compare at least three itemized estimates from insured contractors experienced with wood shake. Check references and warranty terms, and make sure each bid covers the same roof area and materials. A quote that is $5,000 lower may not be a true savings if it excludes tear-off, flashing, disposal, or necessary safety measures.