Decision guide
Repair or Replace Your Roof?
Repair when the damage is localized, the roof is under about 70% of its expected life and the deck is sound. Replace when leaks are recurring across multiple slopes, the roof is past 75% of its life, or repair quotes exceed roughly 30% of replacement cost.
Verified August 2026
Typical repair cost
$400–$2,200
Typical replacement cost
$16,400
$9,500–$32,000 range
Expected service life
18–30 years
Should I repair or replace my roof?
Replace once repairs pass ~30% of replacement cost, or the roof is past 75% of its rated life.
Repair when the damage is localized, the roof is under about 70% of its expected life and the deck is sound. Replace when leaks are recurring across multiple slopes, the roof is past 75% of its life, or repair quotes exceed roughly 30% of replacement cost.
Decision table
Match your situation to the closest row.
| Situation | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Single storm-damaged slope, roof under 10 years old | Repair | Material still matches and the remaining life justifies a targeted repair. |
| Leaks at multiple penetrations, roof 15+ years old | Replace | Flashing failures cluster once the system ages; sequential repairs rarely stop. |
| Granule loss over one plane only | Depends | Sun exposure can age one slope early — verify the rest with an inspection. |
| Soft or delaminated decking | Replace | Deck repair requires tear-off anyway, so repair savings vanish. |
| Insurance-covered hail damage | Replace | Carriers frequently fund full replacement when test squares fail. |
Repair when
- • Damage is confined to under about 100 sq ft
- • Roof age is under 70% of its rated life
- • Matching material is still available
- • No decking damage found
Replace when
- • Two or more leaks in a season
- • Widespread granule loss or curling
- • Deck repairs required
- • You are selling within a year and the roof is uninsurable
What replacement costs
| National typical cost | $16,400 |
|---|---|
| Typical range | $9,500–$32,000 |
| Unit cost | $5.5–$14 per sq ft of roof area |
| Typical timeline | 1-3 days of work, 2-6 weeks including permitting and inspections |