Many older homes have low, flat ceilings with eight-foot heights. This can make homeowners feel closed in, as it’s now standard for homes to have ceiling heights of nine feet or more.
Raising your roof can make the space feel more open and comfortable. This is an expensive project, ranging from $15,333 to roughly $90,000, depending on your roof and home layout.* We analyzed data from multiple home improvement reports to find the average cost to raise your roof. We’ve also detailed factors that can increase or decrease your price.
*Cost figures are based on 2023 reports from Angi, HomeAdvisor, and Realtor.com.
Cost To Raise a Roof
Based on our calculations, it costs an average of $31,333 to $55,000 to raise a roof. However, some homeowners can pay up to $90,000. Your price will be on the higher end of this range if you require complete roof replacement. Your home size and roof frame type have the biggest impact on your roofing project cost.
Cost by Frame Type
Your roof’s framing affects labor costs. For example, stick roofs use rafters supported by underpurlins and struts. The frames are built on-site and customized to your home. This means a roofing company must completely disassemble the frames to raise the roof. Alternatively, trussed roofs are made of prefabricated frames. It’s less expensive to raise these roofs because each truss can be raised or replaced without taking the whole thing apart.
Here are the average costs for each type of roof frame, including materials and labor:
- Attic truss: $100 to $400 per truss
- Cathedral truss: $250 to $550 per truss
- Fink truss: $120 to $260 per truss
- Flat truss: $75 to $250 per truss
- Gable truss: $80 to $800 per truss
- Gambrel truss: $100 to $660 per truss
- King post truss: $60 to $160 per truss
- Half truss: $60 to $450 per truss
- Raised-heel truss: $70 to $580 per truss
- Scissor truss: $120 to $500 per truss
Cost by Home Size
It costs more to raise the roof on larger homes than smaller ones because they require more materials and labor. However, a complex roof on a small house may cost more to raise than a simple, flat roof on a larger house.
We found that homeowners pay an average of $44 per square foot to raise a roof. This price depends on your roofer, location, and roof design, but typically falls within the range of $34 to $54 per square foot.
Other Factors That Influence the Cost To Raise a Roof
Many other factors influence the total cost of raising a roof. You may need to complete other home improvement projects, such as painting or installing a new HVAC system.
We’ve detailed these projects and other costs you may encounter while raising your roof below.
Chimney Adjustments
If your home has a chimney, raising the part of your roof adjacent to the chimney can cost an extra $500 to $5,000. This is because working around chimneys is complex. Sometimes, the entire chimney may need to be removed and replaced. We recommend consulting a roofer to understand how much working around a chimney will add to your total.
Electrical Rewiring
Many homes have electrical wires that run above the ceiling. Licensed electricians should complete any alterations to electrical lines. These professionals charge $50 to $150 per hour based on their experience level.
HVAC Changes
There’s a strong chance you’ll need to make changes to your HVAC system when you raise your roof, especially if you have central air conditioning. If your new, higher ceilings enter your attic space and you have an AC unit there, a contractor must move it. Regardless of how high the new ceilings reach, a professional must reroute your home’s ventilation through new ductwork.
The cost of these changes depends on your HVAC system and home layout. We recommend asking your roofing company whether you need an HVAC technician to complete the work or if they can handle any relocation for an additional cost.
Labor
Professional roofing contractors charge $1.50 to $3 per square foot in addition to material costs. Alternatively, they may charge by the hour. Anything that makes the job more difficult or time-consuming will increase labor costs. For example, if your home is more than three stories or you have a complicated roof design. Hiring a general contractor to supervise the project will add another 10% to 20% to your total.
Permits
Raising a roof requires a permit regardless of where you live. You’ll need to acquire several building permits to change your home’s structure and potentially plumbing and wiring permits. Check with your local government to find out which permits you’ll need and plan to pay anywhere from $400 to $2,000. A roofing contractor can also help you determine which permits you need.
Plumbing Reconfiguration
In addition to electrical wires, your home likely has pipes running through the ceiling. Many homes also have a water heater or water tank in the attic. If so, you’ll need to hire a licensed plumber to make the proper changes at an additional cost of $50 to $150 per hour.
Roof Removal
Your existing roof’s exterior may need to be removed and discarded, including shingles, drywall, underlayment, and flashing. Removal and cleanup can cost $30 to $50 per hour in labor.
Contact a Professional
Raising a roof is not a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. It’s a complex, heavy-duty job that even roofing contractors sometimes can’t complete. Look for someone with experience raising roofs. A professional will know how to use the required cranes and other complicated machinery to raise your roof, as well as provide a reputable structural engineer if needed. Use our tool below to get free quotes from roofers who can assist with your roof raising project.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost To Raise a Roof
When To Consider a Broader Home Inspection
When purchasing or selling a home, it is critical to complete a thorough inspection to understand the condition of the property. A standard home inspection includes an assessment of a home’s systems and physical structure. After the process, the inspector will provide a report detailing their findings and recommendations.
If you are thinking about buying a home or putting your home on the market, we strongly recommend finding an ASHI home inspector in your area.