What a new roof costs in Richmond, VA (2026)
By Houston Kincaid, President · 23 years in roofing
Published October 13, 2026
Your roof's price depends mostly on the size of the roof, how steep it is, how many layers come off, how much decking needs replacing, and which package you choose. RoofRead on our site gives you a ballpark for your own house in about 30 seconds, and you get an exact, itemized number after a free estimate.
What goes into the price
Roof size. Roofers price by the “square,” 100 square feet of roof surface. A bigger or more cut-up roof (lots of hips, valleys and dormers) takes more material and more labor.
Pitch. Steeper roofs are slower and need more safety setup, so labor costs more.
Layers coming off. Tearing off two layers of old shingles takes longer and fills more dumpster than one.
Decking. Soft or rotted plywood found during tear-off has to be replaced so the new roof has a solid base. You won’t know exactly how much until the old roof is off, which is why we photograph it.
Details. Chimneys, skylights, walls and plumbing vents all need flashing. More details, more work.
The package. Our Essential package uses GAF Timberline NS shingles with our 5-year workmanship warranty. Peace of Mind uses GAF Timberline HDZ, GAF FeltBuster underlayment and drip edge, with our 10-year workmanship warranty and GAF System Plus. Every estimate prices both.
Add-ons. New seamless gutters done the same visit, or siding repairs, are priced separately so you can choose.
What should be included
Compare estimates line by line. A complete replacement should include:
- Full tear-off down to the deck
- Decking repair as needed (and how it’s priced)
- Underlayment, plus ice and water barrier at the eaves and valleys
- New flashing and drip edge
- Ridge ventilation
- Architectural shingles
- Cleanup, including a magnet sweep for nails
- A written workmanship warranty
If one estimate is much lower than the others, it’s usually missing something on this list.
How we price it
Want a rough number for your own house first? RoofRead measures your roof from above and prices both packages in about 30 seconds.
Houston measures your roof, photographs it, and gives you an itemized estimate with both packages side by side. 30% is due when you sign and the rest after the final walkthrough, or you can finance through Wisetack.
Common questions
Why do roof estimates vary so much?
Mostly because they don't include the same things. Check whether each one includes full tear-off, ice and water barrier, new flashing, drip edge, ridge ventilation, decking repair and cleanup, and what the workmanship warranty is.
Does a steeper roof cost more?
Yes. Steeper roofs take more time and more safety setup to work on, so labor costs more per square foot.
Is the estimate free?
Yes. Houston walks your roof, photographs what he finds, and prices both of our packages at no charge.
