In short
- HomeStars Ottawa: asphalt shingle roofs average about $7,200 (reported jobs from $4,000 to $20,500); metal about $22,500.
- An Ottawa firm's Canada-wide guide groups homes by size: under 2,000 sq ft $6,000–$10,000, 2,000–3,000 sq ft $10,000–$15,000, over 3,000 sq ft $15,000–$20,000+.
- Tear-off and disposal add $1,000 and up in that guide; a second old layer adds $800–$1,500 in one Ontario firm's list.
- Soft decking found after tear-off is billed on top at $3–$6 per square foot in the same Ontario list.
Typical prices in Ottawa
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle roof, Ottawa | $4,000–$20,500 | HomeStars reported jobs; average about $7,200 |
| Metal roof, Ottawa | $7,500–$55,000+ | HomeStars reported jobs; average about $22,500 |
| Home under 2,000 sq ft | $6,000–$10,000 | Canada-wide guide from an Ottawa firm |
| Home 2,000–3,000 sq ft | $10,000–$15,000 | Same guide |
| 1,500 sq ft roof, architectural shingles | $8,250–$11,250 | One Ontario firm; tear-off, disposal, ice shield included |
| 1,500 sq ft roof, standing seam metal | $21,000–$33,000 | Same Ontario firm |
Sources. HomeStars, Roofing Cost Guide for Ottawa, updated 21.08.2026, seen 29.10.2026. JDM Roofing, Roof Replacement Cost in Canada, post of 15.08.2025, seen 29.10.2026 (Canada-wide; JDM is an Ottawa firm). Roofmaster, Roof Replacement in Ottawa, seen 29.10.2026. Custom Contracting, Roofing Cost Ontario, seen 29.10.2026 (a Brantford firm, Ontario-wide prices). Rules: Ontario, guide for home renovation and roofing businesses, seen 29.10.2026. Every figure is one source’s published number; the company that calls you sets its own.
Start from the size of the house
A Canada-wide guide from the Ottawa firm JDM Roofing groups prices by home size. Under 2,000 square feet runs $6,000 to $10,000. A home of 2,000 to 3,000 square feet runs $10,000 to $15,000. Over 3,000 square feet runs $15,000 to $20,000 and up.
The same guide gives three examples built from averages: a 1,500 square foot bungalow with a low slope and one layer to remove at about $7,000, a two-storey 2,400 square foot house with a metal roof at about $16,000, and a steep 3,200 square foot historic house with slate at $30,000 and up. They come from a national average, so read them as shapes.
Roofmaster, an Ottawa firm, puts a typical shingle roof at $5,000 to $10,000. HomeStars Ottawa averages about $7,200.
Price by material
The JDM guide lists materials per square foot, Canada-wide: asphalt shingles $2.76–$5.00, steel or aluminum metal $9–$36, clay tile $10–$12, cedar $3–$15 and slate $15–$25. One Ontario firm prices installed work with a tear-off of one layer: 3-tab shingles $4.50–$5.50, architectural $5.50–$7.50, standing seam metal $14–$22, slate $25–$45.
The two lists use different bases: materials only against installed work. For metal in Ottawa see metal roof cost; for the shingle line see asphalt shingle roofs.
A 1,500 square foot roof, worked out
The Ontario firm’s own table for a 1,500 square foot roof, each with tear-off, disposal and ice shield: 3-tab $6,750–$8,250, architectural $8,250–$11,250, premium designer $12,000–$18,000, standing seam metal $21,000–$33,000. The firm is in Brantford and its prices are Ontario-wide, so use them to check the order of magnitude.
Extras that change the number
- Tear-off and disposal. The JDM guide says removal and disposal can add $1,000 and up depending on size.
- Second layer. One Ontario list adds $800–$1,500 when there is a second old layer.
- Decking. Rotten boards found after tear-off are billed separately, at $3–$6 per square foot replaced in the same list. The roofer cannot price this exactly in advance.
- Ventilation upgrades. The JDM guide names them as an extra, and the roof ventilation page explains the rules.
- Structural repair. Damaged rafters or trusses add to the total, per HomeStars.
Reading three quotes
Put the three side by side and mark each line. Which product is named, how many layers come off, what goes under the shingles, what is the price of rotten decking, whether the bin and cleanup are in. Check the total with taxes. Ontario’s guide for roofing businesses says a contract needs the total cost and payment terms with all taxes, a schedule with start and finish dates and any sub-trades. A bill more than 10% above the estimate needs a change you have signed. The roofing contract page has the details.
Timing and the price
HomeStars’ Ottawa guide favours spring for a re-roof. JDM’s guide says summer and early fall are peak season with higher prices, and late fall and early spring may have lower rates with less predictable weather. Booking late fall or early spring may save money, and the crew may lose days to weather.
Who you are dealing with
Published ranges sit on this page; the price for your roof comes from the independent Ottawa company that receives your details, after it sees the roof. The wider table with repair and eavestroughs is at roofing cost in Ottawa.
Questions to ask the company
- Is the total for tear-off of every layer, and what is the charge for a second layer?
- What is your price per sheet or per square foot for decking found rotten?
- Does the price include the bin, disposal, ice and water membrane, drip edge and flashing?
- Is there any permit fee or paperwork in the total, and who handles it?
- What is the payment schedule, and what is due before work starts?
Have this ready for the call
- House footprint and storeys, to size the roof
- The number of layers on the roof, if known
- A list of chimneys, vents, skylights and dormers
- Your preference: shingles, or open to metal
Questions people ask
How do roofers measure a roof for a price?
In squares: one square is 100 square feet of roof area. A Canada-wide guide from an Ottawa firm uses this unit. The roof area is larger than the floor area of the house because of pitch and overhangs, so ask the company for its measured figure and check it against your quote line by line.
Why is my quote so far from the HomeStars average?
HomeStars shows averages and the lowest and highest reported jobs: $4,000 to $20,500 for asphalt shingles in Ottawa. Roof size, steepness, valleys, layers to remove, deck repairs and the shingle line move one house across that spread. Line the quotes up item by item before you compare totals.
Are there ways to bring the price down?
One Ottawa firm suggests asking for itemized quotes, getting at least three, and booking in a slower season. HomeStars points to spring in Ottawa. An overlay costs less but, per another Ottawa firm, hides deck problems. Choose with the full written quote in front of you, after the roofer has seen the deck.
Will my insurer pay toward a worn-out roof?
JDM’s guide says insurance usually responds to sudden events, storms and falling trees among them, and leaves out wear that comes with age. Ask your broker before work starts, and ask the roofer for photos and a written description of the damage; both help a claim.
Why does a steep or two-storey roof cost more?
HomeStars says the steeper the pitch, the more it costs to install. JDM adds that steep roofs may need special safety equipment, which lengthens setup. Tell the company the number of storeys and how steep the slopes look from the ground, so the quote reflects the access.
