How Much Does a New Roof Cost in Des Moines?
Most roof replacements around Des Moines land between $4 and $13+ per square foot. Here's what puts a roof at either end, and where we usually come in.
By Omer Okic, owner of Ultimate Exteriors · 28 years on Des Moines roofsUpdated November 2026
A full asphalt shingle roof replacement in the Des Moines area usually costs $4 to $13+ per square foot of roof. On a typical metro roof of about 2,000 square feet, that's roughly $8,000 at the low end and $26,000 or more at the high end.
- Price is per square foot of roof, not your home's living space
- Pitch, waste and rotten decking move the price the most
- We usually come in below most Des Moines roofers for the same materials
- Your exact price comes after a free on-site look, in writing
Where Des Moines Roof Prices Land
This is the spread we see on residential roofs across the metro, from a simple ranch to a steep, cut-up two-story with premium shingles.
Why we don't print a single number. Two houses on the same street can be thousands of dollars apart once you account for pitch, layers and what's under the shingles. We'd rather give you an honest range here and a real number after we've been on your roof.
Roof square footage isn't house square footage. Pitch and overhangs add area. A steep roof on a 1,500 sq ft home can easily be 2,000+ square feet of shingles, and roofers usually price in "squares" (100 sq ft each).
Same Shingles. Less Overhead.
Here's the honest reason our quotes usually come in under the local average: we don't have the overhead a lot of big roofing companies carry.
No billboards. No fleet of 30 trucks. No five offices to keep the lights on in. Ultimate Exteriors runs lean on purpose: one owner who's on every job, our own specialized crews, and a schedule built so crews aren't sitting around on your dime.
That overhead doesn't go away at a bigger company. It ends up in your quote. Ours mostly doesn't, so you get the same quality materials and installation for less.
Where the money goes
Illustration only, not exact figures. The point: the roof itself costs about the same. The extras on top are where prices split.
What Makes One Roof Cost More Than Another
Size matters, but these are the things that really push a quote up or down.
Pitch (how steep it is)
A low roof you can walk on goes fast. Once a roof gets steep, crews need harnesses, roof jacks and more time on every row, so labor goes up. A 12/12 roof can cost noticeably more than a 4/12 roof of the same size.
Waste (how cut up it is)
Every hip, valley and dormer means cutting shingles, and the offcuts get thrown away. A plain gable roof wastes around 10% of the material. A roof with lots of angles can waste 15 to 20%, and you're paying for that material either way.
Rotten wood under the shingles
Nobody can see the decking until the old roof comes off. Soft or rotten sheets have to be replaced before new shingles go on. We tell you the price per sheet before work starts, so if we find bad wood there's no surprise on the bill.
Layers to tear off
Older homes sometimes have two layers of shingles. More layers mean more labor and more disposal.
Shingle choice
Standard architectural shingles keep the price near the low end. Impact-resistant and designer shingles cost more, and sometimes earn it.
Chimneys, skylights & walls
Every spot where the roof meets something else needs flashing. More of them, more time.
Ventilation
Adding or fixing attic vents adds a little cost now and a lot of life to the new roof.
Roofing Options Compared for Des Moines Homes
Price tiers are relative, from the most budget-friendly to the most premium. Your written estimate shows the exact difference for your roof.
| Option | Relative price | Typical lifespan | Hail resistance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural asphalt shingles | $ · most common | 20 to 30 years | Standard | Most Des Moines homes; best value per dollar |
| Impact-resistant (Class 4) asphalt | $$ | 20 to 30+ years | Highest rating for asphalt (UL 2218 Class 4) | Hail-prone neighborhoods; homeowners who want a possible insurance discount |
| Designer / luxury asphalt | $$ to $$$ | 25 to 30+ years | Standard to improved, by product | Higher-end homes and curb appeal |
| Standing seam metal | $$$ to $$$$ | 40 to 70 years | Strong, though large hail can dent panels | Long-term owners, low-slope sections, outbuildings |
Are impact-resistant shingles worth it in Des Moines?
Central Iowa sees hail almost every year, so Class 4 shingles are worth pricing out. They cost more than standard architectural shingles, but they hold up better to hail, and many insurers offer a premium discount for a Class 4 roof. Call your agent before you choose: ask whether they give a discount, how much, and what proof they need. Keep the shingle certificate and your invoice.
Check your hail deductible before you need it
Many Iowa homeowners policies have a separate wind and hail deductible, sometimes a percentage of your home's insured value instead of a flat dollar amount. Look at your declarations page now, so a storm claim holds no surprises. Our storm damage and insurance guide walks through the claim step by step, and our hail damage guide shows what to check after a storm.
Quality Materials. Our Name on the Labor.
We're an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, and we also install CertainTeed shingles. Those relationships matter for two reasons: we get good pricing on quality materials, and we install them the way the manufacturer specifies, so the manufacturer warranty means what it says.
Low prices don't come from cheap shingles. We don't cut corners on underlayment, ice and water barrier or flashing to hit a number.
We stand behind our materials and our labor.
If something we installed isn't right, call us. Omer answers for the work, and we come back and make it right.
Ask at your estimate which manufacturer warranty comes with the shingle line you choose.
The Lowest Bid Isn't Always the Best Value
Two quotes can look thousands apart and cover very different jobs. Here's how the usual kinds of Des Moines roofing companies compare.
| Local, owner-led contractor | Large high-overhead company | Out-of-town storm crew | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who you deal with | The owner, from estimate to final check | A salesperson, then a project manager | A canvasser, often a different crew |
| What's built into your price | Mostly materials and labor | Materials, labor, plus advertising, fleets and offices | Varies; travel and commissions |
| Here for warranty calls later | Yes, local and reachable | Usually, through a service department | Often gone after storm season |
| Help with insurance claims | Meets your adjuster, documents damage | Usually | Pushes fast claims; check carefully |
General comparison of business types, not of any specific company. Always check licensing, insurance and reviews for whoever you hire.
What a complete roof quote should include
- Full tear-off and disposal of the old roof
- A written price per sheet for any rotten decking
- Ice and water barrier at the eaves and valleys
- Underlayment over the rest of the deck
- New drip edge, flashing and pipe boots
- Ridge and intake ventilation checked or added
- The exact shingle brand and product line
- Manufacturer warranty and a written workmanship warranty
- Cleanup, including a magnet sweep for nails
Comparing two quotes? Ask these
- Is it a full tear-off, or new shingles over old ones?
- What happens to the price if you find bad wood?
- Which shingle line, and is it the same on both quotes?
- Who installs it: your own crew or a subcontractor?
- Who do I call if something leaks next spring?
We're happy to walk through another company's quote line by line with you. See what homeowners say in our reviews and our finished roofs in the project gallery.
Roof Replacement Cost Across the Des Moines Metro
The $4 to $13+ per square foot range holds across the whole metro. What changes from town to town is the kind of roof you're likely to have.
Roof Cost Questions We Hear Most
How much does a new roof cost in Des Moines?
Most asphalt shingle roof replacements in the Des Moines metro cost $4 to $13+ per square foot of roof. For a typical 2,000 square foot roof, that's about $8,000 to $26,000 or more. Pitch, waste, decking repairs and the shingle you choose decide where yours lands.
Why do roofing quotes vary so much?
Some of it is the roof itself: pitch, layers and complexity. A lot of it is the company. Roofers with big ad budgets, large fleets and multiple offices have to cover that overhead in every quote.
Why is Ultimate Exteriors usually less expensive?
We run lean. No billboards, no big fleet, no extra locations. We use the same quality Owens Corning and CertainTeed materials and our own crews, so the savings come from overhead, not from the roof.
How do roofers measure a roof?
Roofs are measured by their actual surface area, including pitch and overhangs, usually in "squares" of 100 square feet. That's why your roof's square footage is usually more than your home's footprint.
Will insurance pay for my new roof?
If your roof was damaged by hail or wind, your homeowners policy may cover the replacement minus your deductible. We'll inspect the roof, document the damage with photos and can be there when your adjuster inspects.
Do you charge for roof estimates?
No. Omer comes out, looks at your roof and gives you a written quote for free.
Do you offer financing for a new roof?
Yes. We offer financing options, and we also accept cash, check and card.
How long does a roof last in Iowa?
Most architectural asphalt roofs in Central Iowa last about 20 to 30 years. Hail, poor attic ventilation and ice dams can shorten that. Metal roofs commonly last 40 years or more.
How long does a roof replacement take?
Most Des Moines homes are finished in one to two days, depending on size, pitch and weather. Larger or more complex roofs can take a little longer.
When is the best time of year to replace a roof in Iowa?
Late spring through fall is ideal, because shingles seal best in mild, dry weather. Roofs can be replaced in cooler months on suitable days, and storm damage should be handled right away.
Should I repair or replace my roof?
If the damage is limited and the roof has plenty of life left, a repair usually makes sense. If the roof is near the end of its life, has widespread hail damage or keeps leaking, replacement is usually the better value. See our roof repair page for common fixes.
Are impact-resistant shingles worth it in Des Moines?
Often, yes. Class 4 shingles cost more than standard shingles but resist hail better, and many insurers offer a premium discount for them. Ask your agent about the discount before you decide.
Should I replace my gutters at the same time as my roof?
If your gutters are old, sagging or the wrong size, replacing them with the roof saves a second setup and protects the new roof edge. See our gutter options.
More on roofing: Free roof inspection · Roofing services · Roof repair · Storm damage & insurance claims · Hail damage guide · Roofing mistakes to avoid · Spotting hidden storm damage · Ice dams · Gutters · Siding · Reviews · Project gallery
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