How much does it cost to frame a roof?
Columbus, OH

How much does it cost to frame a roof?

Columbus, OH

How much does it cost to frame a roof?

$6 – $15cost per square foot installed
$9,000 – $37,500average total cost to frame a roof

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$6 – $15 cost per square foot installed

$9,000 – $37,500 average total cost to frame a roof


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Tara Farmer
Written by
Tara Farmer
Edited by
Kristen Cramer
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa

Cost to frame a roof

The cost to frame a roof is $6 to $15 per square foot or $9,000 to $37,500 on average, including labor and materials. Replacing roof framing costs $5 to $14 per square foot for trusses or $7 to $30 per square foot for rafters. Roof trusses cost $60 to $500 each.

Roof framing cost
Project Average cost to frame roof
2-car garage $2,300 – $11,600
3-car garage $5,200 – $22,800
1,500 SF roof $9,000 – $22,500
2,000 SF roof $12,000 – $30,000
2,500 SF roof $15,000 – $37,500
3,000 SF roof $18,000 – $45,000
20x20 pole barn $3,000 – $7,600
30x30 pole barn $6,400 – $16,000
40x40 pole barn $11,000 – $27,500
40x60 pole barn $16,200 – $40,500
60x90 pole barn $35,400 – $88,600

Get free estimates from roofing companies near you.

Average cost to replace roof framing

The following table shows the average cost to replace roof framing.

Roof framing cost - chart
Roof framing cost - chart
Average cost to replace roof framing
National average cost $23,300
Minimum cost $2,300
Maximum cost $88,600
Average range $9,000 to $37,500

Roof framing cost per square foot

Framing a roof costs $5 to $30 per square foot for labor and materials, depending on the roof size, type, complexity, and whether using trusses or rafters. Most new homes use trusses because they are preconstructed and more cost-effective than traditional stick-building using rafters.

Roof framing costs for rafters vs. trusses
Factor Roof Rafters Roof trusses
Cost installed (per square foot) $7 – $30 $5 – $14
Pros
  • Built on site, with no wait time
  • More design flexibility
  • Creates more interior space
  • Easier to insulate between rafters
  • Cheaper than rafters; requires less lumber and installation labor
  • Stronger than rafters; higher load-bearing ratings
  • Precise dimensions
  • Quick and easy to install
Cons
  • Longer construction time
  • Larger lumber pieces and larger quantity required
  • Greater risk of error
  • May require interior load-bearing walls
  • Fewer design options
  • Delivery wait time often 2 to 6+ weeks
  • Requires freight truck delivery and a crane to set in place
  • Limited attic space with most truss designs
  • Cannot modify once installed without risking structural integrity

  • Trusses work best for complex roof designs to ensure compliance with building codes and structural load requirements.

  • Rafters are ideal for creating attic space, small span projects, and when the job site is difficult to access.

Cost to replace roof rafters

Replacing roof rafters costs $7 to $30 per square foot installed. Replacing a broken rafter without removing the roof involves installing new rafters on each side of the damaged one. The old rafter remains but the new rafters bear the load.

Most roof rafters are made of 2' x 6' to 2' x 12' lumber pieces and are constructed on site.

Roof rafter cost by length
Rafter length (feet) Average material price*
12' $15 – $50
14' $20 – $80
16' $25 – $90
20' $30 – $150

*Not including installation.

Roof rafters replaced on house
Roof rafters replaced on house

Roof trusses cost

Roof trusses cost $5 to $14 per square foot installed or $60 to $700 per truss for the material alone, depending on whether wood or steel. Roof trusses are prebuilt to precise dimensions using sophisticated engineering software. Trusses arrive ready to install, reducing labor costs.

Most trusses shift the roof load to the outside walls, making them ideal for open concept floor plans.

Roof trusses cost
Material Price per truss*
Wood truss $60 – $500 
Steel truss $150 – $700 

*Not including installation.

Roof trusses installation up close
Roof trusses installation up close

Labor cost to frame a roof

The labor cost to frame a roof is $1 to $15 per square foot, depending on whether using trusses or rafters. Roof trusses are easy to install and require much less labor. Building a roof using individual rafters requires more skilled labor and takes longer.

Get free estimates from roofing companies near you.
Labor and material costs to frame a roof
Factor Rafter framing cost per square foot Truss framing cost per square foot
Materials $3 – $15 $4 – $10
Labor $4 – $15 $1 – $4
Total $7 – $30 $5 – $14

Cost factors to rebuild a roof

The following factors affect the cost of rebuilding a roof:

  • Roof size – Large roofs require more materials and labor to build. Wider spans typically require more rafters spaced closer together to support the structure.

  • Roof pitch – Building a steeply sloped roof costs more due to the added difficulty and required safety measures.

  • Roof type – Gable and lean-to or shed roofs are the simplest and cheapest roof types. Mansard roofs are the most complex and expensive to build.

  • Trusses vs. rafters – Trusses cost more in material but require less labor, with most truss installations completed within a day. Building a roof with rafters requires onsite construction, which takes several days to a week or more, depending on the project and crew size.

  • Metal vs. wood – Wood framing costs less than metal framing but is more vulnerable to the elements.

  • Labor – Framing carpenters charge $30 to $80 per hour to build or set and install roof framing.

  • Designing and engineering costs – Framing a roof requires architectural and engineering expertise to confirm structural integrity and load-bearing requirements.

  • A structural engineer charges $150 to $600 to inspect roof framing.

  • An architect charges $100 to $250 per hour to design a new roof plan.

  • Altering existing house plan blueprints costs $150 to $2,500.

  • Old roof frame removal – Removing and disposing of old roof framing costs $30 to $50 per truss or $0.60 to $1.00 per linear foot for rafters, not including dumpster rental.

  • Dumpster rental – Renting a dumpster costs $300 to $500 per week.

  • Equipment rental – Renting a crane to erect roof trusses costs $200 to $700 per day.

  • Geographic location – Labor rates are typically higher in major metropolitan areas. Homes in rural areas may pay more for materials delivery.

  • Time of year / weather – Framing work costs 10% to 15% more in temperatures below 40° F or above 95° F.

  • Permits – A roofing permit costs $150 to $500 and is required when replacing roof framing.

Finding and hiring a roof framing carpenter

Before hiring a framing carpenter near you, be sure to:

  • Get at least three estimates to compare.

  • Look for licensed contractors with experience in roof framing.

  • Look for members of the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA) and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).

  • Ask for references going back at least five years.

  • Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

  • Select only companies that are insured and bonded.

  • Avoid going with the lowest quote as quality may suffer.

  • Get a detailed contract and warranty in writing before the work begins.

  • Never pay in full before the project starts. Use a payment plan instead for work completed.

Questions to ask

  • Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

  • How long have you been in business?

  • What experience do you have with roof framing?

  • Have you framed roofs like mine before? What challenges did you experience?

  • Do you recommend using roof trusses or rafters for my roof, and why?

  • Do you have a portfolio of your previous jobs?

  • Will you use subcontractors? Are they insured?

  • How long will the project take?

  • How will the crew leave the site at the end of each day?

  • Is there a warranty, and if so, what does it include?

  • What is included in the estimate?

  • What additional costs should I expect?