The short answer
In Huntsville and North Alabama in 2026, a full tear-off and replacement with architectural asphalt shingles runs about $430 to $620 per square (100 square feet) installed — $9,000 to $13,000 for a typical 1,800-square-foot brick ranch with a simple roof, $13,000 to $18,500 for a 2,600-square-foot two-story with valleys and dormers. Three-tab is 15 to 20 percent less; Class 4 impact-resistant shingles add $900 to $2,500; a FORTIFIED Roof adds $1,500 to $4,000; standing-seam metal is $1,000 to $1,600 per square, two to three times the price of shingles.
Prices by house
| House | Three-tab | Architectural | Standing-seam metal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,400 sq ft ranch, 18 squares | $6,000 – $8,000 | $7,500 – $10,500 | $18,000 – $28,000 |
| 1,800 sq ft ranch, 24 squares | $7,000 – $9,500 | $9,000 – $13,000 | $24,000 – $36,000 |
| 2,600 sq ft two-story, 30 squares | $10,000 – $13,500 | $13,000 – $18,500 | $30,000 – $48,000 |
| 3,500 sq ft, complex roof, 42 squares | — | $18,000 – $27,000 | $42,000 – $65,000 |
What moves the price
Squares and pitch. Priced by the square; steep roofs (over 7/12) cost more per square because they're slower and roped. Two-story and steep add 10 to 25 percent.
Layers and decking. One layer of tear-off is included; a second adds $50 to $100 per square. Rotten decking is replaced per sheet at $85 to $140 — a third-time re-roof on a 1960s ranch often needs several.
Complexity. Valleys, dormers, skylights and chimneys add flashing labor. A simple gable is cheapest; a hip roof with four dormers is not.
Ventilation and code items. Ridge vent, soffit intake, ice-and-water at eaves and valleys, drip edge — $600 to $2,000 on most houses, and the reason two quotes with the same shingle differ.
Upgrades. Class 4 for the hail discount. FORTIFIED for the sealed deck and the state-mandated insurance discount. Designer shingles double the material cost.
How to read three estimates
Put them side by side and check: the exact shingle and warranty tier; whether tear-off, disposal and permit are included; underlayment type; ice-and-water locations; ridge vent and intake; per-sheet decking price; flashing (new, not reused); workmanship warranty length; the Alabama HBLB license and certificate of insurance. The cheapest quote is usually missing two of those.
Insurance
If the roof has hail or wind damage, the replacement may be an insurance claim and your cost is the deductible — a flat $1,000 to $2,500, or 1 to 2 percent of dwelling coverage under the wind/hail deductible many Alabama policies now carry. See our claims guide. Age and wear are never covered.
Common questions
Why did I get quotes from $9,000 to $16,000 for the same house?
What's in them: three-tab vs. architectural, whether ventilation and ice-and-water are included, decking assumptions, warranty tier, and whether the company carries workers' comp. Line them up and the difference shows.
Is metal worth two to three times the price?
If you'll be in the house 15 years or more and the lot is hail-prone or tree-heavy, often yes — 50-year life, better hail and debris resistance, and resale value. If you'll sell in five, a Class 4 architectural shingle is the better spend.
Can I roof over the old shingles?
Alabama allows two layers, but no manufacturer gives a full warranty over an old layer, it hides rotten decking, and it costs more to tear off later. We don't recommend it.
How long does a replacement take?
One day for most Huntsville houses, two for large or complex roofs or when decking needs replacing.
Is FORTIFIED worth the extra cost?
In North Alabama's storm track, usually — the sealed deck keeps water out when shingles are stripped, and the insurance discount Alabama requires for FORTIFIED homes offsets much of the cost over a few years.
Related: Roof replacement · Shingle roofing · Metal roofing · Claims guide