How much does a new roof cost in Calgary right now?

For a typical detached Calgary home getting a full tear-off and replacement with architectural asphalt shingles, budget roughly $10,000 to $24,000, or about $5 to $8.50 per square foot of roof area. That range covers the most common scenario: one layer removed, standard decking in reasonable shape, and a mid-grade architectural shingle.

What moves the price

Roof size is the biggest driver, measured in squares (one square equals 100 square feet of roof), so ask each roofer for the square count in the quote. A complex hip-and-valley roof has more square footage and more cutting than a simple gable on the same house. Pitch and height matter too: steeper slopes and taller houses slow the crew down and require more fall-protection equipment, which adds to labour costs.

A few other factors that shift the number significantly:

• Extra layers to remove add roughly $1 to $4 per square foot before the new shingles even go on
• Damaged decking (sheathing) is usually quoted at about $65 to $130 per 4x8 sheet beyond an included allowance; a roofer can't know the full extent until the old shingles are off
• Flashings, vent boots and valley metal: reusing old ones on a new roof is a common shortcut that leads to early leaks; replacing them adds cost but is worth it
• Eave protection (ice-and-water shield) is required by the National Building Code, extending at least 900 mm up the slope and to a line at least 300 mm inside the inner face of the exterior wall; the City of Calgary recommends ice-and-water shield over the whole roof when you replace it

If you're weighing a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle, expect to pay roughly 10 to 20% more, putting a typical house in the $13,000 to $25,000 range. Given that Calgary sits in what the City describes as "hail alley," that premium is worth a conversation with your insurer before you choose a product. The Insurance Bureau of Canada notes that a majority of insurers offer discounts of up to 50% on home insurance premiums for hail-resistant materials; what your policy actually saves you is a question for your broker.

For comparison, metal runs $11 to $20 per square foot installed and cedar shake $10 to $18.

On permits: a straight like-for-like replacement (asphalt for asphalt) needs no City of Calgary building permit under Alberta's Permit Regulation. If you're switching material types, ask the City before signing anything, and make sure the contract states who is responsible for pulling any required permit.

What a solid quote should include.

Ask each roofer to spell out: the number of layers being removed and disposal, a decking allowance with a per-sheet price for anything beyond it, the specific product and its warranty, eave protection and underlayment, all flashings and vent boots, start and completion dates, and a payment schedule that holds back a portion until the work passes your inspection. Under Alberta's Consumer Protection Act, a contract involving a deposit or payment before completion must be in writing with a detailed description of the work and materials, itemized prices, the dates and your cancellation rights.

Before you sign, check that the contractor holds an Alberta prepaid contracting licence (searchable on Service Alberta's website) and request a WCB-Alberta clearance letter confirming their account is in good standing.

Reach out to Calgary Roof Repairs and we'll connect you with local roofers who can provide written quotes for your specific home.