{
  "meta": {
    "lastUpdated": "2026-06",
    "sourceCount": 24,
    "currency": "USD",
    "unit": "installed cost per square foot of roof",
    "methodology": "Material cost is wholesale + distribution markup. Labor is specialty-installer rate. Both are midpoints of 2026 national ranges; high/low factors reflect real contractor variance. Regional multipliers reflect MSAs at 0.85x (low-cost) to 1.30x (high-cost metro).",
    "formula": {
      "expression": "(mat_per_sqft + labor_per_sqft × labor_multiplier) × (home_sqft × roof_size_factor) × region_multiplier = mid",
      "variables": [
        { "symbol": "mat_per_sqft",    "description": "Material cost per square foot of roof" },
        { "symbol": "labor_per_sqft",  "description": "Specialty labor cost per square foot" },
        { "symbol": "labor_multiplier","description": "Complexity multiplier (1.00 / 1.15 / 1.35)" },
        { "symbol": "home_sqft",       "description": "Home size in square feet" },
        { "symbol": "roof_size_factor","description": "Roof area multiplier for the shape (1.00 / 1.15 / 1.30)" },
        { "symbol": "region_multiplier","description": "Regional cost-of-living adjustment (0.85 / 1.00 / 1.30)" }
      ],
      "workedExample": {
        "label": "2,000 sq ft home, asphalt shingles, ranch roof, average US",
        "steps": [
          { "n": 1, "label": "Translate home size to roof size",   "equation": "2,000 × 1.00 (ranch factor) = 2,000 sq ft", "result": "2,000 sq ft" },
          { "n": 2, "label": "Add material + labor (per sq ft)",   "equation": "$3.00 mat + $4.50 labor × 1.00 (ranch) = $7.50 / sq ft", "result": "$7.50" },
          { "n": 3, "label": "Multiply by roof size",               "equation": "$7.50 × 2,000 = $15,000", "result": "$15,000" },
          { "n": 4, "label": "Apply region (average US = 1.00)",    "equation": "$15,000 × 1.00", "result": "$15,000 mid" },
          { "n": 5, "label": "Apply bands",                         "equation": "$15,000 × 0.88 / $15,000 × 1.18", "result": "$13,200 – $17,700" }
        ]
      }
    },
    "assumptionsDetail": {
      "included": [
        { "title": "Standard material at 2026 market rates",      "description": "Sampled from multiple sources, not the lowest or the highest." },
        { "title": "Labor for the chosen material & complexity",  "description": "Specialty labor (metal, slate, stamped) is priced higher than commodity labor (asphalt, basic)." },
        { "title": "Regional cost-of-living adjustment",          "description": "Three tiers — low / average / high — based on ENR city cost index clusters." },
        { "title": "A defensible ±12–22% band",                   "description": "Tight enough to be useful, wide enough to capture real contractor variance." }
      ],
      "excluded": [
        { "title": "Permits & inspections",                       "description": "Vary widely by city and county. Often $200–$2,000+ for roofing. Add these separately." },
        { "title": "Demolition & disposal of existing material",  "description": "Tear-off of old shingles is usually a separate line item, typically $1–$3 / sq ft." },
        { "title": "Structural repairs",                          "description": "Rotted decking, sagging trusses, foundation cracks. These are scope surprises that surface during the job." },
        { "title": "Site prep for difficult lots",                 "description": "Steep grades, limited access, tree removal, drainage work. If your lot is hard to reach, expect the high end of any range to drift higher." },
        { "title": "Material price spikes (tariffs, supply chain)","description": "If a tariff hits imported steel mid-year, our published rate is stale until the next refresh." }
      ]
    },
    "sources": [
      { "name": "Fixr.com", "type": "Market Guide", "detail": "2026 1,700 sqft roof replacement cost guide" },
      { "name": "Baber Enterprises", "type": "Contractor Data", "detail": "Feb 2026 per-sqft roofing costs" },
      { "name": "Apex Roofs", "type": "Contractor Data", "detail": "2026 roof cost by material" },
      { "name": "Exterior Alliance", "type": "Industry Report", "detail": "2025 roof replacement cost data" },
      { "name": "SquareDash", "type": "Labor Index", "detail": "Apr 2026 roofing labor cost per square" },
      { "name": "This Old House", "type": "Expert Guide", "detail": "2026 shingle roof cost guide" },
      { "name": "Modernize", "type": "Market Guide", "detail": "Feb 2026 shingle roof pricing" },
      { "name": "NerdWallet", "type": "Financial Analysis", "detail": "2026 roof replacement cost" },
      { "name": "HomeGuide", "type": "Market Guide", "detail": "2026 cedar shake roof cost" },
      { "name": "Cobex Construction Group", "type": "Contractor Data", "detail": "2026 asphalt shingle guide" },
      { "name": "HomeAdvisor", "type": "Industry Report", "detail": "2025 cedar shake data" },
      { "name": "Pitch Roofing", "type": "Contractor Data", "detail": "2026 metal roofing Florida" },
      { "name": "Gordian RSMeans", "type": "Professional Index", "detail": "2026 construction labor data (+4.6% YoY)" },
      { "name": "ENR", "type": "Professional Index", "detail": "construction cost index May 2026" }
    ]
  },
  "materials": {
    "asphalt": { "label": "Asphalt shingles (architectural)", "displayName": "Asphalt shingles", "description": "Most common · 20–30 yr", "costPerSqft": 3.00, "laborPerSqft": 4.50 },
    "metal":   { "label": "Metal (standing seam)",            "displayName": "Metal",             "description": "40–70 yr · standing seam", "costPerSqft": 5.50, "laborPerSqft": 8.50 },
    "tile":    { "label": "Clay or concrete tile",            "displayName": "Tile",              "description": "50+ yr · clay or concrete", "costPerSqft": 5.50, "laborPerSqft": 5.50 },
    "slate":   { "label": "Slate (natural)",                  "displayName": "Slate",             "description": "100+ yr · natural stone", "costPerSqft": 15.00, "laborPerSqft": 10.00 },
    "wood":    { "label": "Wood shake",                       "displayName": "Wood shake",        "description": "30–40 yr · rustic look", "costPerSqft": 5.00, "laborPerSqft": 6.00 }
  },
  "complexity": {
    "simple":   { "label": "Ranch / 1-story / basic gable",      "displayName": "Ranch / 1-story",     "description": "Basic gable, walkable",       "roofSizeFactor": 1.00, "laborMultiplier": 1.00 },
    "standard": { "label": "Standard 2-story home",              "displayName": "Standard 2-story",    "description": "Normal pitch, a few features", "roofSizeFactor": 1.15, "laborMultiplier": 1.15 },
    "complex":  { "label": "Multi-level / steep / many features","displayName": "Multi-level / steep", "description": "Dormers, valleys, cut-up",     "roofSizeFactor": 1.30, "laborMultiplier": 1.35 }
  },
  "regions": {
    "low":  { "label": "Low-cost US",     "displayName": "Low-cost US",      "description": "Rural / lower COL",      "multiplier": 0.85 },
    "avg":  { "label": "Average US",      "displayName": "Average US",       "description": "Suburban / mid COL",     "multiplier": 1.00 },
    "high": { "label": "High-cost metro", "displayName": "High-cost metro",  "description": "NYC / SF / LA tier",     "multiplier": 1.30 }
  },
  "defaults": {
    "material":   "asphalt",
    "complexity": "simple",
    "region":     "avg"
  },
  "bands": {
    "lowFactor":  0.88,
    "highFactor": 1.18
  },
  "assumptions": [
    "Full tear-off of existing roof",
    "Standard underlayment + flashing",
    "Accessible site, single or two-story home",
    "Permits included",
    "Does not include gutters, soffits, fascia, or structural repairs",
    "National average labor — adjust region to refine"
  ]
}