Costs, Price Factors and 2026 Rules
What drives roof and siding prices in Canada by material, area and pitch, plus permits, sales tax and the current status of rebates.
roof replacement cost Canada
Roof replacement and siding costs in Canada, worked out square by square
A roofing or siding quote is a measurement, a material choice and a set of rules about permits, tax, licences and holdbacks. These guides show how each part is priced, how to rebuild a quote yourself and what to do when a job or a claim goes wrong.
- Turn your roof's footprint and pitch into roofing squares and an illustrative price range
- Check permits, GST/HST, contractor licences and the 2026 status of rebate programs
- Use holdbacks, warranties, insurance and complaint routes to protect your money
Explore by topic
Worked Estimates and Checklists
Measuring a roof, rebuilding quotes line by line, worked examples with tax, contracts, licences, financing and holdbacks.
Failures, Disputes and Official Sources
Common roofing and siding failures, insurance claims versus wear and tear, warranties, scams, complaints and where to check the rules.
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Worked Estimates and Checklists
How to compare roofing quotes in Canada: a line-by-line checklist
A step-by-step way to compare roofing and siding quotes in Canada on scope, materials, unit prices, warranty, licence, insurance, payment schedule and holdback.
Worked Estimates and Checklists
Holdbacks and construction liens for homeowners: roofing and siding jobs
How the 10% holdback works under Ontario's Construction Act and BC's Builders Lien Act, Alberta's rules, Quebec's legal hypothec, deadlines and when to release payment.
Failures, Disputes and Official Sources
Will home insurance pay for my roof? Storm damage vs wear and tear in Canada
When Canadian home insurance covers roof and siding damage from hail or wind, why wear and tear is excluded, depreciation and roof age, deductibles and how to dispute a refusal.
Costs, Price Factors and 2026 Rules
Roof replacement cost in Canada: price by area, material and pitch
How Canadian roofers price a new roof by roofing square, what material, pitch, tear-off and access add, and how to build an illustrative range for your home.
Costs, Price Factors and 2026 Rules
Asphalt vs metal vs cedar vs slate: roofing material costs in Canada
Compare roofing materials used in Canada on installed price per square, lifespan logic, snow, hail and wildfire performance, weight and warranty terms.
Costs, Price Factors and 2026 Rules
Siding replacement cost in Canada: vinyl, fibre cement, wood, metal and stucco
What new siding costs in Canada per square foot by cladding type, what removal, sheathing, insulation and trim add, and how to measure wall area for a quote.
Tools
Roof replacement cost estimator
Turn your roof's surface area into an illustrative low-to-high price range by material, plus one-time costs such as tear-off, disposal and permits.
Siding replacement cost estimator
Estimate an illustrative price range for new siding from the wall area to be clad, the cladding type and one-time items such as removal and trim.
Holdback and payment calculator
Work out how much to hold back from a contractor's invoice under a provincial lien act and how much to pay now after deposits.
Roof financing calculator
Compare the monthly payment and total interest of paying for a new roof or siding with a contractor plan, line of credit or personal loan.
Roofing and siding contract checklist
Tick off what a written roofing or siding contract should cover before you sign, pay a deposit or let work start.
Roofing and siding materials compared
| Option | How it is usually priced | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt architectural shingles | Per square installed; the usual baseline in most Canadian quotes | Most sloped roofs from about 4/12 up; widely available crews and parts | Warranty is usually prorated; needs ice and water protection at eaves and proper attic ventilation |
| Impact-resistant (Class 4) asphalt shingles | Per square, at a premium over standard shingles | Hail-prone areas such as parts of Alberta; may affect home insurance pricing | Ask your insurer whether it gives any credit; confirm the impact rating on the product data |
| Steel or aluminium shingles and ribbed panels | Per square, several times standard asphalt in many quotes | Long service life, snow shedding, lighter than tile or slate | Needs snow guards over doors and walkways; installer experience matters for flashing and fasteners |
| Standing seam metal | Per square, usually the top of metal pricing | Low to steep slopes, hidden fasteners, wildfire-resistant cladding | Panel length and seam type affect price; oil-canning and expansion details need skilled crews |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a roof replacement cost in Canada?
It depends mostly on roof area, material, pitch and how many layers are torn off. As an illustration only, an asphalt re-roof is often quoted per roofing square (100 sq ft), so a roof of 20 squares at an illustrative $450–$750 a square would be $9,000–$15,000 before extras and tax. The roof replacement cost overview shows how to build your own range.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof?
It depends on your municipality. Toronto, for example, says no permit is needed to replace existing roofing material if no structural work is required, while Montreal generally requires a permit to replace a roof covering, with borough exceptions. Structural changes usually need a permit everywhere. See roofing permits by municipality.
Is there a government rebate for a new roof in 2026?
Roof covering replacement on its own is generally not eligible for federal or provincial energy rebates. The Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan are closed to new applicants, though some provincial programs still pay for attic insulation done at the same time. Check the 2026 rebates and tax credits guide.
Does home insurance pay for a new roof?
Usually only when the damage is sudden and accidental and caused by an insured peril, such as wind or hail, and only for the damaged part. Wear and tear, age and poor maintenance are typically excluded, and older roofs may be settled at depreciated value. Read your policy wording and see the roof insurance claim guide.
Should I hold back money from my roofer?
In provinces whose lien acts require it, such as Ontario and British Columbia, owners must keep back a holdback (10% in those two provinces) until the lien period expires. Paying it early can leave you exposed to liens from unpaid subcontractors or suppliers. See holdbacks under provincial lien acts.
Does a roofer need a licence in Canada?
It depends on the province. Quebec requires construction contractors to hold a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). Alberta requires a prepaid contracting business licence for businesses that sell home improvement contracts away from their premises and take payment before the work is done. Elsewhere, municipal business licences may apply. See contractor licensing by province.
Is GST/HST charged on roof replacement?
Yes. Renovation services and materials are generally taxable, so expect GST/HST, or GST plus QST in Quebec. In British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, provincial sales tax rules for contractors differ and may be built into the price or charged separately. See the sales tax guide.
How this site is made
Ridge & Cladding is an independent information project. Guides are drafted with the help of AI writing tools and checked against official and primary sources before publication; see our Editorial Policy. We are not affiliated with any provider mentioned on the site and do not sell products or services.