roofing costs in Canada: pricing the job you cannot see until you are up there
Roofing is high-risk quoting by nature. You price it from the ground, then find the problems at height. Rotten sheathing, sagging rafters, ice dam damage from years of harsh winters. Scaffolding goes up, the clock starts, and every surprise costs money.
Canadian roofing has its own challenges: freeze-thaw cycles that destroy shingles, ice and water shield requirements in cold climate zones, and shorter weather windows for outdoor work. This page breaks down what roofing work actually costs in Canada in 2026 and where the uncertainty hides. All prices in CAD.
cost ranges by job type
Ballpark figures for common roofing jobs on a standard 3-bedroom home. Actual costs depend on roof pitch, access, material choice, and what you find once the old covering comes off.
| Job Type | Typical Cost | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full re-roof (asphalt shingles) | $8,000 - $18,000 | 3-7 days | Strip and re-shingle. Price swings on sheathing condition. |
| Metal roofing | $15,000 - $30,000 | 5-10 days | Standing seam or corrugated. Higher cost, longer lifespan. |
| Flat roof (TPO/EPDM) | $3,000 - $7,000 | 2-4 days | Per 20 sqm section. Decking condition is the unknown. |
| Roof repair | $300 - $2,500 | 0.5-2 days | Missing shingles to valley repairs. Wide range. |
| Fascia, soffit & eavestrough | $2,500 - $6,000 | 2-4 days | Aluminium or vinyl replacement. Rotten rafter tails add cost. |
worked example: full re-roof on a 3-bedroom home (asphalt shingles)
Standard 3-bedroom home in Ontario. Three-tab shingles from the early 2000s. Underlayment is failing, some sheathing suspect. Roof area roughly 200 square feet per square (about 20 squares total). Customer wants architectural shingles with proper ice and water shield at eaves and valleys.
| Item | Cost Range | Risk Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scaffolding / safety equipment | $1,200 - $2,200 | Low | Get a fixed quote. Longer hire = more cost if job overruns. |
| Strip existing shingles & underlayment | $1,000 - $1,600 | Low | Predictable labour. Multiple layers slow things down. |
| Sheathing repairs (plywood/OSB) | $0 - $3,500 | High | The big unknown. Could be nothing. Could be a dozen sheets. |
| Ice & water shield | $600 - $1,200 | Low | Required at eaves, valleys, and around penetrations. Essential for Canadian winters. |
| Synthetic underlayment | $400 - $700 | Low | Material cost is stable. Labour included in shingling. |
| Shingle supply (architectural) | $2,500 - $4,000 | Medium | BP, IKO, or CertainTeed. Price varies by colour and availability. |
| Shingling labour | $2,000 - $3,500 | Low | Your crew. Weather delays are the main variable. |
| Ridge vent & ridge cap | $400 - $800 | Low | Standard ridge ventilation. Straightforward install. |
| Flashing (step, counter, chimney) | $500 - $1,200 | Medium | Aluminium or galvanized. Complex roof lines cost more. |
| Bin rental & waste disposal | $500 - $900 | Low | Old shingles are heavy. Usually need a large bin or two smaller ones. |
Total range for a full re-roof: $9,100 - $19,600. That $10,500 spread is not sloppiness — it is genuine uncertainty. The sheathing repairs line alone can swing the job by $3,500. Everything else is reasonably predictable if you know your supplier prices and crew speed.
where roofing jobs go wrong in Canada
Five risk factors dominate roofing quotes in Canada:
- Ice dam damage. Years of ice dams can rot sheathing, fascia, and even rafter ends without any visible sign from the ground. If the home is older and in a cold climate zone, budget for sheathing replacement and mark it High.
- Hidden rot. You cannot see sheathing condition from the ground. An attic inspection helps, but you still will not know for certain until the shingles come off. If the roof is 20+ years old, budget for at least some plywood and mark it High.
- Weather windows. An open roof cannot sit overnight in rain or snow. You need a realistic weather window for the strip-and-paper stage. In shoulder seasons (October/November, March/April), that window is smaller. In winter, roofing is often impossible. Price accordingly.
- Multiple layers. Some jurisdictions allow two layers of shingles. Stripping a double-layered roof takes twice the labour and disposal. Check before you quote.
- Material price volatility. Shingle, lumber, and flashing prices have all seen sharp moves in recent years. A quote that sits for eight weeks before acceptance might need re-pricing. Put an expiry date on your quotes — 30 days maximum.
quoting roofs smarter
The scaffolding, underlayment, and your labour are all Low uncertainty. You know those numbers. The sheathing repairs and flashing are where the risk lives. Instead of padding every line with a flat contingency, rate the risky items honestly and simulate the range. Your quote then shows the customer a realistic spread — and protects your margin on the items that actually blow up.