Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

What is a standing seam metal roof?

A standing seam metal roof may be a strong, durable, safe choice when you’re considering metal roofing installation options. A standing seam refers to the raised seam where the sheet metal roofing panels join. Traditionally, shingles and roof panels lie flush to the roof, making them more prone to rust or penetration by water at their seams. In a standing seam metal roof, the raised (or standing) seams run vertically from the roof ridge to the eaves, with no horizontal seams. In addition, the fasteners joining the metal panels together are concealed, providing even fewer opportunities for water or moisture to build up. The cost to install a standing seam metal roof will depend on the type of metal you select, the size of your roof, and the cost of roofing labor in your region. Materials will play a major role in your metal roofing installation costs. If you select standard galvanized steel, the cost per square (100 square feet) might be in the $150-$300 range, while a high-end choice such as copper or zinc could be between $1,000 and $1,500 per square. Here is one example of cost:

Standing seam metal roof: $300 per square to start, including materials and labor.

A 30-square roof could cost $9,000 or more.

Can a metal roof be installed over shingles?

Metal roofs are durable, environmentally friendly, safe and budget-friendly. If you’re considering an update, metal roofing installation doesn’t have to mean completely removing your old roof. In many cases, metal roofing can be installed over your existing shingles. Research building codes in your state, as many require that after two roofs have been installed, all roofing materials must be completely removed before a third roof can be put on. This protects your home’s structural integrity and your family’s safety. Carefully read contractor reviews and choose someone with extensive experience with metal roofing installation. One concern when installing metal over shingles is that over time, condensation can build on the shingles and cause the metal to rust. This will lead to rust around the panels, making them more likely to come loose in a storm. Nationally, the average cost for metal roofing installation ranges from $6,000 to $20,000. The wide price range represents different roof sizes, different types of metal, and the cost of labor in different parts of the country — and can also include the cost of removing an old shingle roof prior to installing the metal. As a line item, the average cost of removing an old roof to prepare for installing a new roof, plus adding new roof decking, costs on average about $45-$75 per square (the pro roofer’s term for 100 square feet), depending on the pitch of the roof. Always make sure you have a clearly written contract and a warranty on both the labor and the metal.

How much does it cost for a metal roof?

Metal roofing installation is an attractive option thanks to metal’s long lifespan, hardiness and fire-retardant properties. Nationally, the average cost for metal roofing installation ranges from $6,000 to $20,000.There are different types of metal roofs, each with their own installation needs and materials costs. Roof size also affects your metal roofing installation costs, as do regional labor rates. Roof size is measured in squares; one square equals 100 square feet. Here are some examples of the average cost for a metal roof:

Standard metal roof: $120-$150 per square to start, including materials and labor

A 30-square roof (a 3,000-square-foot roof) could cost between $3,600 and $4,500 for a typical three-bedroom home.

Snap-Loc metal roof: $200-$225 per square to start, including materials and labor.

A 30-square roof could cost $6,000-$6,750.

Standing seam metal roof: $300 per square to start, including materials and labor.

A 30-square roof could cost $9,000 or more.

Tuff-Rib metal roof: $250-$350 per square to start, including materials and labor.

A 30-square roof could cost $7,500-$10,500.

Mid-range metal roof package, including all accessories: $300-$500 per square.

A 30-square roof could cost $9,000-$15,000.

High-end metal roof package — such as zinc or copper — and all accessories: $1,000-$1,500 per square.

A 30-square roof could cost $30,000-$45,000.

Ashley J.

Verified review

I used Anvil to complete a front porch repair. He removed existing brick, fixed the foundation, and relayed tile and brick to repair it. He was on time, affordable, and professional. I would hire him again to do other household repairs.

Donna H.

Bryan did and amazing job installing a beautiful new roof and 4 Velux skylines. We even highered a Birmingham home inspector to asses his work and got the thumbs up! I would highly recommend BCD Construction for all your roofing/siding needs!

Mike F.

I have worked with Will and his crew on a number of occasions from residential to commercial work. He is very trustworthy, does what he says he's going to do, and his craftsmanship goes above and beyond. I would recommend them to anyone and look forward to working with Costa Pro LLC on many future projects! Michigan Pure Painting LLC

J. J.

I placed an ad on thumbtack because all of these other companies I called said they did not do roof repair work, just new roof installations. So I placed my ad and Michael responded immediately. He gave me a very reasonable price! Very punctual and polite person. We had two spots on our roof that needed to be redone. One was an issue where an old satellite was that was leaking water into our dining room. The other problem was our chimney area. He fixed both areas and we haven't had any water come into our home since. He has a great work ethic and he works long hours. Both times at our home he worked even after the sun went down. He's quick to respond to phone calls and text messages. I have passed his information on to someone else that is in need of a roofer - he's that good. I have nothing negative to say about him. You will not be disappointed with this individual.

Michael L.

I found an issue with my roof on Sunday, I was contacted by Nationwide Roofing almost immediately and the whole issue was resolved in under 24 hours. They were also able to resolve a few other small issues for me at a reasonable price and having to contend with a wasp nest (yikes). I was also able to have all this done without missing any work. Great Job!

Pathman V.

Andrew was very good in explaining what he was going to do and gave 10 year warranty on his work. He also gave a fair price for the work. There is no rain yet after the wok is complete but I have confidence that he did a good job and I can count on him if there is any issue. I would really recommend Andrew from King/Diamond Roofing for my friends and family

Eric M.

My experience with Home Repair Services was very pleasant. Last August they remodeled my master bathroom. Was well informed throughout the entire remodel. No complaints, everything is functioning as it should be.

Julie L.

We contacted 4 roofing companies to compare products and prices, and it took us over a month to make a decision. After a referral from our neighbors and Brian's patience, quality product and professionalism we chose Brimar Exteriors. The roof was torn off and replaced the same day, and the employees were courteous and cleaned up very thoroughly. Brian came back to make sure we were satisfied, and we are very happy with our new roof. The price of the new roof was surprisingly lower than the other companies like Mr Roof and Hansons. We felt that Brian really valued our business, and it was great to use a local company.

Leighton C.

We wanted to add a skylight to our roof, letting in more natural light. Ryan with Weather Vane Roofing came out to give us a free estimate. He was very professional, polite, explained in detail everything that needed to be done, and gave us a very fair price. We expressed our urgency to him for completing the job and he was able to come out two days later to start and finish the job. We are extremely pleased with the work he did for us, the price we got, and the professionalism of Ryan. We highly recommend Weather Vane Roofing for any roofing job you may have. Thank you again Ryan!

Candice M.

Paramount roofing did a amazing job on my house. Very friendly service and the clean up job was good also. I highly recommend paramount roofing for any roofing work. Thanks guys for everything.

Antoinette V.

What an amazing experience!!! Jason quickly went to evaluate the damage to my daughter’s roof, the price was perfect, he repaired the roof immediately and provided a warranty! I will definitely be using Discount Roofing Service again for all my roofing needs. Excellent service!

Sheila S.

Our roof was damaged in the last windstorm. Jason came out to quote the job the same day I put the request in. He completed the work two days later. Jason and his crew did a great job. I have already referred McBain Construction to my neighbor for his roof repairs and will not hesitate to refer them to others.

Dan C.

I had a nightmare of a roofing project... think 1st story flat roof with 2nd story deck over it with maybe 4 inches of clearance... Many contractors came to bid it...and said "no thanks." PG Contracting took the job understanding the challenges, kept me informed through the process, and demonstrated excellent workmanship... problem solved - dry house. The crew was professional, polite, courteous, and cleaned up after themselves. I'll be using them for all my future home improvement needs.

Pau B.

I had an extremely heavy upright piano I wanted to scrap out. It had to go down 6 steps and across a newly installed wood floor landing. Once I contacted Antoine it was less than 24 hours he and his help arrived. He constantly kept me informed of his arrival time. Once they showed up they maneuvered the piano down the curved stairwell and took extreme caution once on the wooden landing. Antoine was very professional and polite. I would highly recommend his services.

Anna K.

Mannle construction was the best choice we could have possibly made for our recent home improvement projects. We will never have to worry about “finding the right contractor” ever again, after experiencign first hand the level of professionalism, honesty, effieciency and talent hat we received from Brandon and his team at Mannle Construction. We have received several compliments on our new roof, and I recommend Mannle Construction with complete confidence to everyone looking to have any sort of work done on their home.

Christine D.

Excellent, Professional, Punctual and Knowledgeable. I hired Flawless Chimney Maintenance initially for a cleaning and inspection and from there I went on to hire them to repair damaged Flues, repair motor caps, tuck pointing and then also to extend the clay flues and fabricate custom stainless steel rain pan & 2 stainless flue caps. If possible I'll come back later and add before and after photos! I haven't taken a final photo as of yet due to weather. You'll be impressed with the before and after photos!

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