How much do roof trusses cost?
How much do roof trusses cost?
$60 – $500 cost per truss (material only)
$5 – $14 cost per square foot of roofing area (installed)
$7,500 – $35,000 average cost to frame a roof with trusses
Roof truss prices
Roof trusses cost $5 to $14 per square foot installed or $7,500 to $35,000 on average, depending on the material, type, and span. Roof truss prices are $60 to $500 per truss for wood or $150 to $700 per truss for steel. An attic truss costs $100 to $400 for materials.
| Project | Average cost to install or replace |
|---|---|
| 2-car garage | $1,900 – $10,800 |
| 3-car garage | $4,300 – $21,200 |
| 1,500 SF roof | $7,500 – $21,000 |
| 2,000 SF roof | $10,000 – $28,000 |
| 2,500 SF roof | $12,500 – $35,000 |
| 3,000 SF roof | $15,000 – $42,000 |
| 20x20 pole barn | $2,500 – $7,100 |
| 30x30 pole barn | $5,300 – $15,000 |
| 40x40 pole barn | $9,200 – $25,700 |
| 40x60 pole barn | $13,500 – $37,800 |
| 60x90 pole barn | $29,500 – $82,700 |
Roof truss cost calculator by size and pitch
Truss prices depend on the type, material, span, and pitch. Most standard roof trusses have a 4:12 to 6:12 pitch and span up to 40 feet.
| Span (in feet) | Average price (per truss)* |
|---|---|
| 10 | $55 – $70 |
| 12 | $60 – $100 |
| 14 | $70 – $150 |
| 16 | $80 – $160 |
| 18 | $90 – $200 |
| 20 | $90 – $250 |
| 24 | $100 – $300 |
| 30 | $120 – $330 |
| 32 | $200 – $350 |
| 36 | $250 – $400 |
| 40 | $280 – $500 |
| 50 | $300 – $790 |
| 60 | $320 – $850 |
*Wood truss with 4:12 to 6:12 roof pitch. Installation not included.
Roof truss price estimator by material
Wood truss prices are $60 to $500 per truss on average for the material alone, while steel trusses range from $150 to $700 per truss, depending on the span. The wider the span, the more material required and the higher the cost.
| Material | Price per truss* |
|---|---|
| Wood truss | $60 – $500 |
| Steel truss | $150 – $700 |
*Trusses with spans 10' to 40'. Not including installation.
Wood truss prices
Wood truss prices are $60 to $500 per truss for the material alone, depending on the type and span. Most residential homes use wood roof trusses. Some homeowners use wood trusses as a decorative feature in addition to the roof trusses providing structural support.
Wood trusses are cost-effective compared to steel trusses, but wood is more vulnerable to the elements.
Steel truss prices
Steel truss prices are $150 to $700+ for materials, depending on the size. Steel trusses are most common in commercial and agricultural applications due to their higher cost and large span capabilities. Still, steel trusses may also be used in detached garages, pole barns, and DIY steel residential building kits.
Prefab, premade, and engineered trusses cost by type
Prefab trusses cost $60 to $500 per truss on average for the material alone, depending on the size, type, lumber quality, and amount purchased. Some truss manufacturers offer a discount when purchasing more than 10 to 15 premade trusses.
| Type | Average price per truss* |
|---|---|
| Attic roof truss | $100 – $400 |
| Cathedral | $250 – $550 |
| Fink truss | $120 – $260 |
| Flat / parallel chord | $75 – $250 |
| Gable / end truss | $80 – $800 |
| Gambrel | $100 – $660 |
| Hip truss | $100 – $250 |
| King post truss | $60 – $160 |
| Mono / half truss | $60 – $450 |
| Raised heel / energy truss | $70 – $580 |
| Scissor / vaulted | $120 – $500 |
*Not including installation.
Roof trusses contain wood or metal pieces precisely connected to support and distribute the roof's weight. Roof truss components include:
Chords – the outer truss pieces that define its shape
Webbing / posts – the inner pieces joining the top and bottom chords
Roof truss shapes and pitches
Roof trusses form the roof's support structure, so their shape and pitch correlate with the roof type. Most homes in the U.S. have a roof pitch of 4:12 to 9:12. The most common roof trusses in residential construction include:
| Truss type | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard / common |
|
| Scissor / vaulted |
|
| Gambrel |
|
| Flat / parallel chord |
|
| Mono / half |
|
| Hip |
|
Roof truss webbing styles
The roof truss webbing configuration—the number and angles of its interior beams—impacts its span and load capabilities. While there are many options, the most popular standard truss styles include:
King post – A king post truss has the simplest design, with one center vertical post and two webbing chords.
Queen post – A queen post truss uses two vertical supporting posts, allowing it to handle wider spans than a king post truss.
Fink – The fink truss webbing style creates a "W" shape in the trusses center, providing extra strength and stability.
Howe – A howe truss has three vertical and two diagonal webbing chords creating an "M" configuration.
Attic – An attic truss's support webbing creates additional living or storage space.
Gable / end – A gable truss has all vertical support webbing and is used at the roof end.
Vaulted ceiling truss / scissor truss cost
Scissor trusses cost $120 to $500 per truss for the material alone, depending on the size. A scissor trusses' bottom chord consists of two beams creating an upward angle for a spacious, vaulted ceiling. Vaulted ceiling trusses are common in attics and A-frame homes.
Scissor roof truss prices are typically 20% to 30% more than the price of standard trusses.
Cathedral roof truss prices
Cathedral roof truss prices are $250 to $550 on average for the material alone. Cathedral trusses are partial scissor trusses with a bottom chord half flat and half peaked, creating a vaulted ceiling in one room and a flat ceiling in the next.
King post truss cost
King post trusses cost $60 to $160 each before labor, depending on the material and size. King post trusses are among the most common and cost-effective styles due to their simple design using the fewest components—one bottom chord, two top chords, and one center vertical "king" post.
King post trusses are designed for short-span applications like a garage or home addition.
Some king post trusses have two additional webbing posts branching from the center post diagonally.
Attic roof trusses cost
Attic roof trusses cost $100 to $400 per truss for the material alone. The "room in attic" truss design creates additional living space and holds more weight than a standard truss. Install attic roof trusses in buildings at least 40' wide to add functional living space.
Gable / end truss cost
Gable trusses cost $80 to $800 per truss for materials. Gable trusses cost more than standard trusses as they use more lumber for extra structural support.
Gable or "end trusses" install at each end of the structure and are used in combination with other truss types. Most residential homes have gable trusses at each end.
Cost to frame a roof
Framing a roof costs $5 to $14 per square foot when using trusses or $7 to $30 per square foot when using rafters, including labor and materials. Framing a roof with rafters takes more time and requires more skilled labor.
| Roof type | Details |
|---|---|
| Gable |
|
| Gambrel |
|
| Mansard |
|
| Flat |
|
| Lean-to / skillion |
|
| A-Frame |
|
House roof trusses cost
Installing house roof trusses costs $130 to $600 per truss during a roof replacement or $100 to $560 per truss for new construction. Framing a new house typically includes roof trusses or rafters.
Garage roof trusses cost
Garage roof truss prices are $60 to $500 per truss before labor—the same as house roof trusses—depending on the size, type, and material. Installing trusses on an attached garage may cost more due to the extra labor involved in connecting to the home.
Building a garage costs $19,600 to $28,200 on average. The size, finishes, and whether it's attached or detached impact the total.
Pole barn roof trusses cost
Installing trusses on a pole barn roof costs $80 to $800+ per truss for the material alone, depending on the size and whether steel or wood. Steel is popular for pole barn trusses because steel trusses handle wider spans than wood without requiring extra bracing.
Steel pole barn trusses typically cost more than wood trusses but may be installed up to 10' apart, depending on the region, meaning fewer trusses are required.
Lean-to roof cost
A lean-to roof costs $5 to $14 per square foot installed. A lean-to roof has one slope, often created using mono or half trusses. Lean-to roofs are common on sheds and porches and are frequently used for home additions due to their simple design.
Lean-to or half trusses cost $60 to $450 each for the material alone.
Large structures or homes in high wind areas are not ideal for lean-to roofs.
Cost to install or replace roof trusses
Installing roof trusses costs $5 to $14 per square foot on average for labor and materials. Replacing roof trusses on complex structures with multiple hips and valleys may cost up to $16+ per square foot.
| Factor | Cost |
|---|---|
| Truss material (wood) | $60 – $500 per truss |
| Labor cost to set and install | $40 – $60 per truss |
| Remove old trusses | $30 – $50 per truss |
| Equipment and crane rental (per day) | $200 – $700 |
| Disposal fees | $100 – $1,000 |
Replacing a roof costs $4,700 to $15,700 on average for a typical home. Homeowners typically replace roof trusses to update the home's structural design during a roof replacement. Extensive roof damage after a storm or fire may also require truss replacement.
Labor cost to set and install roof trusses
The labor cost to install roof trusses is $1 to $4 per square foot or $40 to $60 per truss on average. The total labor cost depends on location, roof size, truss type, and job complexity. Setting trusses requires much less labor than installing roof rafters that need onsite construction.
Cost to remove old trusses
Removing old trusses costs $30 to $50 per truss on average. Disposal fees cost $100 to $1,000+, depending on the number of trusses removed. The best time to remove roof trusses is during a complete roof replacement because the roof requires the trusses' structural support.
Structural engineers charge $150 to $600 for a roof inspection to assess and confirm the roof has adequate support before removing or modifying old trusses.
Truss repair cost
Roof truss repair costs $300 to $1,700+, depending on the damage type and extent. Truss repairs typically require an engineer to assess and determine the action necessary to maintain structural support. The most common truss repair involves "sistering" the broken truss, reinforcing it with lumber on each side.
Roof trusses FAQs
How much does it cost to build your own trusses?
The cost to build your own trusses depends on the roof size, wood type, and local lumber rates. While DIY truss building may save money, purchasing prebuilt trusses is best. Most manufacturers design and build trusses using sophisticated engineering software to ensure safe and accurate load distribution.
Some building codes require stamped approval from a licensed structural engineer for all roof trusses.
What is the cheapest roof truss design?
The cheapest roof truss design is the king post roof truss, costing $60 to $160 per truss on average. King post trusses are the simplest design and use the fewest components, with one bottom chord, two top chords, one vertical center post, and sometimes two diagonal webbing chords.
How long does it take to install roof trusses?
Roof truss installation typically takes a 3-person crew a few hours to 1 day, depending on the roof size, site conditions, and the installation method. Using a crane speeds up the process. Roof trusses are prebuilt, making installation quicker and easier than installing rafters requiring onsite construction.
What size roof trusses do I need?
Use the following measurements to calculate what size roof trusses you need:
Span – The span is the width or distance between the home's exterior walls.
Rise – The rise is the height of the roof at its center.
Pitch – The pitch is your roof's incline, typically expressed as a fraction or ratio. Most homes are 4/12 to 9/12.
Overhang – The overhang or eave is the roof section extending beyond the home's walls.
How many roof trusses do I need?
To determine how many roof trusses you need, divide your roof length by two. Most residential roof trusses have a 2-foot gap from one truss center to the next. Check local building codes first, as truss spacing requirements vary by location. High-wind and heavy snow-prone regions may require shorter spacing.
Where to buy roof trusses?
Buy roof trusses online from supply stores like Menard's or direct from truss manufacturers. Delivery may take several weeks or months, depending on the company and season. Consult an expert to determine the best truss type for your location, climate, building type, and roof design.
Finding and hiring a framing carpenter
Before hiring a framing carpenter, 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 choosing 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?
What experience do you have with roof trusses?
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 does the estimate include?
What additional costs should I expect?
Do you need a permit for the project?