Flat Roof Replacement Cost In Wisconsin: Detailed Breakdown

In Wisconsin, 15 to 30 years is the average lifespan of a flat roof. Common roof issues, such as leaks, wear, and damage, can decrease the lifespan of the roof drastically if ignored and can require a flat roof replacement. The average estimated cost of replacing is between $4 and $15 per square foot and depends on which materials you’re using, the size of your roof, the labor costs in your area, the time of the year, and a few other factors. All in all, your roof replacement cost can be vastly different based on your choices, location, and timing.

Average Flat Roof Replacement Costs per Square Foot

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$4-$15 per square foot is the average roof replacement installation cost. Factors such as the average price of roofing materials, square footage of the roof, roof size, labor costs, and peak or low seasons in the area you live in all affect the total cost.

Low-end materials: If your budget is low, then you can choose a low-end material like modified bitumen. The price for modified bitumen falls on the lower end of the materials cost, as these can cost between $4-$8 per square foot. These are 5-layer and crack-resistant. This is the material you can take if your average cost budget for roof replacement is low.
Mid-range materials: If you want mid-range materials, you can choose materials such as Thermoplastic Polyolefin. This falls within the range of $3.5-$14 per square foot. Thermoplastic polyolefin is dirt and UV light repellent while also being energy-saving.
High-range materials: Finally, if you don’t have a low budget for your flat roofing costs, you can choose a metal roof. If you choose a metal roof, then it would put you in the high-end range of $4-$30. This depends on the type of metal being used, as in aluminum for homes near saltwater, steel in areas with snow, etc.

Range(square feet	Modified Bitumen$4-$8	Thermoplastic Polyolefin$3.5-$14	Metal$4-$30
1,000-square-foot	$4,000-8,000$	$3,500-$14,000	$4,000-$30,000
1,500-square-foot	6,000-$12,000	$5,250-$21,000	$6,000-$45,000
2,000-square-foot	$8,000-16,000	$7,000-$28,000	$8,000-$60,000
2,500-square-foot	12,000- 20,000	$8,750-35,000	$10,000-$75,000

Cost variation based on Popular Flat Roofing Materials

Roofing materials	Cost per square foot	Attributes
Modified Bitumen Roofs	$4-$8	Cost-efficient amongst flat roof materials, 5-layered, crack-resistant
BUR or gravel-and-tar roofing	$4-$10	Protection against weather damage, such as water, sun, and blunt force.
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO)	$3.5-$14	Low maintenance, highly durable, water resistant
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)	$4-$7	Reduced cooling costs
EPDM (Synthetic rubber membrane)	$3-$15	Single membrane, sun resistant, wind resistant, snow resistant, hail resistant
Metal	$4-$30	For the most durable flat roofing systems, long-lasting, they can survive extreme weather conditions
Green Roofs	$10-$35	Sustainability, improved insulation

What is the cost to repair a flat roof ponding?

Flat roof pondings mean that there is a drainage issue, causing water damage. This can happen if the roof drain is clogged or broken. The cost for fixing it can range between $75 and $500. That, too, depends on whether the repair or an entire replacement of the drainage system is necessary.

What is the cost of resealing a flat roof?

You can expect a flat roof reseal to extend the lifespan of your roof. Flat roof repairs such as this can range between $1-$4.. Your cost for resealing a roof is based on the roof material and the type of sealant you’re using.

What is the fiberglass flat roof cost?

Your cost of replacement for a fibreglass flat roof will be between $4-$6. The total cost includes the costs for the fibreglass mats, the roof coating, and the labor.

Cost Breakdown Table

Component	Cost per Square Foot	Total Cost (2,000 sq ft)	Details
Materials (roofing materials)	$4-$8	$8,000–$16,000	Even basic materials such as modified bitumen can cost $4-$8 for installation costs, while higher-end materials such as TPO or Metal have much higher costs per square foot.
Labor (labor rates or labor expenses)	$3-$7	$6,000–$14,000	Labor costs can take up to 20%-30% of the total bill. The cost of labor varies based on the complexity of the replacement task
Permits (permit and inspection fees)	N/A	$100–$500	Permit requirements go higher with the size of the roof. These may or may not be mandatory based on your location.
Total (total cost, project costs)	$4-$15	$8,000–$30,000	Based on your choice of materials, roof size, location, and many other related factors, the total cost for a flat roof replacement differs

Commercial vs Residential Flat Roof Replacement Costs

The difference between your residential flat roof replacement and a commercial flat roof replacement comes from differences in scale, the materials used, and the complexity differences.

Size

While residential flat roof sizes fall in the range 1000-2000 square feet on average, commercial flat roof sizes can go well beyond 10,000 square feet.

Materials used

Commercial flat roofs typically use complex materials such as TPO, PVC, or Metal, which have a higher cost compared to our typical residential flat roofs that use Modified Bitumen, EPDM, and such that have a lower cost per square foot.

Complexity

Commercial flat roofing is much more complex and takes a highly professional approach, whereas residential flat roof replacements are much less complex because of a lower scale and easier access.

Key Factors Affecting Flat Roof Replacement Cost

Choice of roofing materials

Material choice can drastically change your cost of a flat roof replacement project. For a 1000 square feet roof, for example, choosing Metal instead of Modified Bitumen can make the price jump from $8,000 to $30,000.

Roof size

A larger roof size will require much more labor than a smaller roof using the same materials.

Roof access

The ease of access to the roof determines the labor rate. If the access is difficult or requires additional equipment, it will drive up the labor costs.

Site conditions

The site conditions must be favourable to the contractors. If there are external obstacles or other safety requirements that must be maintained, it will create additional costs.

Removal of existing roof:

The old roof has to be removed to install the new one, adding to the labor costs. This is the biggest factor for built-up or single-ply type roofs.

Drainage Systems

If your roof has a scupper or internal drainage system, it will drive up the costs. Though there are added benefits, as a proper drainage system prevents potential damage, which would require additional repair costs.

Insulation

Proper installation of insulation is a critical component of flat roofing systems and will lower your energy costs. But at the same time, it adds to the flat roof replacement costs.

Roof Type and Condition

What type of residential flat roof do you have, e.g., single-ply, built-up, etc, and the condition of the roof can add to the total cost. A roof with prior damage would need repair before roof replacement can be started, which would incur additional costs.

Contractors and Labor Costs

Labor costs can take up to 20%-30% of the total bill, and contractor fees are one of the major factors of flat roof replacement costs.

Weather Conditions and Building Codes

Extreme weather can impact your scheduling costs and labor rates. Extreme cold or extreme heat can delay the project and increase the total amount of labor time and cost needed to finish it. Similarly, building codes may require additional installation or repairs, which can both result in increased installation costs as well as labor costs.

Are flat roofs more expensive to replace?

No, replacing them is less costly. However, the replacement cost of a flat roof varies based on various factors. If you’re considering the upfront costs, then the cost of replacement for flat roofs is the cheaper option, as these cost less than the expensive option or the slanted roofs.

Additional Costs to Consider

Structural repairs

Your roof may need extensive repairs to the structure before roof replacement can take place. These costly repairs will result in additional costs for you.

Upgraded insulation

Upgraded insulation will save energy costs in the long run, but will increase the upfront costs.

Solar arrays or HVAC mounting

Solar arrays or HVAC mounting will cost you additional roofing materials to install them and reinforce the roof.

Permit and inspection fees

Building permits and inspection fees for checkups required by the insurance company are mandatory costs that you must maintain to be in compliance with building codes, which will also drive up your total replacement cost.