Roofing costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Cedar shake roof installation costs $15,800 to $30,000, with an average of $21,000, or $6 to $15 per square foot for your project.
Your roof pitch and the wood grade you select determine the complexity and total cost of your cedar shake installation.
You should account for underlayment replacement at $3,300, old roof removal between $1,000 and $5,000, flashing, drip edge, weatherproofing treatments, and permits.
Hiring a local roofing professional prevents installation mistakes that lead to roof leaks and protects your manufacturer and labor warranties.
In 2026, the national average cost for a cedar shake roof is $21,000. Most homeowners pay between $15,800 and $30,000, depending on roof size, job complexity, and wood grade.
Roof size is one of the most significant cost drivers for a cedar shake installation, with most projects falling between $6 and $15 per square foot. You can calculate the square footage of your roof based on your home's living area to estimate your total before speaking with a contractor. The table below shows how cedar shake roof costs vary by roof size:
| Roof Size (Square Feet) | Average Cost Range in 2026 |
|---|---|
| 1,500 | $9,000–$22,500 |
| 2,000 | $12,000–$30,000 |
| 2,500 | $15,000–$37,500 |
| 3,000 | $18,000–$45,000 |
| 3,500 | $21,000–$52,500 |
Labor accounts for 50% to 60% of your total cedar shake roof cost, or $10,500 to $12,600 for an average-sized roof. Steep roofs require additional safety equipment and extra time to navigate safely, while complex roof styles with hips, valleys, or multiple dormers add further labor hours and push costs higher.
Where you live directly affects what you pay for a cedar shake roof, with higher-cost-of-living areas consistently resulting in higher installation prices. California, for example, has a cost of living around 145% of the national average, pushing cedar shake roof prices nearly 50% above most other states. Even within a single state, major metropolitan areas tend to run higher than surrounding regions. Costs also vary with your proximity to cedar sources. The table below shows how cedar shake roof prices break down by state:
| State | Average Cedar Shake Roof Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|
| California | $30,500 |
| Florida | $21,600 |
| Georgia | $19,200 |
| Illinois | $19,600 |
| Michigan | $19,300 |
| New York | $25,800 |
| North Carolina | $20,700 |
| Ohio | $19,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $20,100 |
| Texas | $19,400 |
Another consideration you might have to make regarding location is your distance from a natural source of cedar. Prices can be a bit lower in the eastern United States than in other regions because of the abundance of cedar trees available for manufacturing. You’ll see this difference in material costs, as shipping can factor into the cost of the shakes.
When installing a cedar shake roof, consider several other cost factors to get the most accurate estimate possible.
The wood grade you choose directly affects both the appearance and cost of your cedar shake roof, with three options available at different price points. Common grade is the most affordable and carries the highest likelihood of imperfections. Select grade sits in the middle for both quality and price, and straight-grain grade offers the most uniform appearance with the fewest natural variances. Cedar shake roof costs vary meaningfully across these grades, as the table below shows:
| Cedar Shakes Grade | Average Price (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Common | $6 – $8 |
| Select | $7 – $11 |
| Straight-Grain | $8 – $15 |
Roof accessibility is a significant labor-cost factor, with easier, safer roofs allowing your contractor to work faster and keep costs lower. Roof pitch is the primary accessibility variable, as steep roofs require additional safety equipment and more time to navigate, increasing the overall labor bill.
Underlayment replacement is frequently required by local building codes and adds an average of $3,300 to your project cost. Many roofers bundle this into their total quote, so confirm with your contractor upfront whether it is included or needs to be budgeted separately.
Roof flashing typically costs $200 to $600 for a cedar shake roof and is commonly required by building codes. Roofs with multiple valleys, ridges, dormers, or penetrations for chimneys, vents, or skylights tend to land toward the higher end of that range, though most professionals include flashing in the total project cost.
A drip edge is a specialized flashing component that channels water away from your fascia at the base of roof slopes, and its replacement costs $100 to $500. Contractors often include drip edge in their total project quote, so verify whether it is covered before finalizing your budget.
Installing a new cedar shake roof over an existing one is not recommended, so budget $1,000 to $5,000 for tear-off and haul-away before installation begins. Disposal costs depend on the weight of the old roofing material, with heavier options like slate or clay typically landing at the higher end of that range.
A good indicator that the roof needs to be replaced and done by a professional is evidence of missing shingles or other materials. If the roof is beginning to lose shingles during major storms, then it is likely time to have it replaced rather than making repairs.
Because wood naturally absorbs moisture, your climate may require a sealant application after installation. Roof sealants cost$2 to $5 per square foot on average, with wood-specific polyurethane-based products being the recommended choice for cedar shakes. Depending on your location and local building codes, you may also need fireproofing or an algaecide treatment to prevent discoloration in wet or humid climates, each running $200 to $1,000 on average.
Roof replacement permits cost $100 to $500 on average and are required for a legal installation in most jurisdictions. Most roofers include the permit fee in their total project cost, but it is worth confirming this with your contractor before signing a contract.
If you’re comfortable and have the experience and safety equipment required to install your cedar shake roof yourself, you stand to save somewhere between $10,500 and $12,600 on labor costs. While this is a substantial amount, it’s usually worth hiring a professional for a few reasons.
First, working on a roof is dangerous, so hiring a pro means potentially preventing serious injury. Second, your roof is your home’s first line of defense against rain, snow, and wind, and any mistakes you make during the installation process can lead to roof leaks and very expensive property damage that could end up costing you more than you’d save in the first place.
Finally, most roofing materials include a manufacturer’s warranty, and many professionals offer a labor warranty to guarantee your roof for decades to come. When you DIY, you don’t get a labor warranty, and you’ll usually void your manufacturer’s warranty. Hiring a local roofing company is well worth the added cost for the peace of mind and protection you get.
The cost to repair a cedar shake roof averages around $750, which is significantly less expensive than the $21,000 you’d pay for a replacement. It’s a good idea to have a roof inspection done to see if a repair is a good option. It will often be more affordable up front and in the long run, especially if only a small portion of your roof is compromised.
Remember that cedar is a natural material that can vary in color and grain quality, even from batch to batch. It also changes appearance as it ages. As such, a roof patch for a cedar shake roof will likely stand out, so take curb appeal into consideration when deciding between a repair and a full replacement.
The cost to install a cedar shake roof can climb as high as $52,500, but there are a few things you can do to bring down your total.
Consider cedar for an accent roof. Cedar is a relatively expensive roof material, so you can keep your total roof project cost down by covering most of your roof with asphalt shingles and just using cedar for small sections, like an accent roof.
Opt for common-grade wood. If you don’t mind some variation in the color and grain pattern of your roof, choose common-grade wood, which costs the least among the three options. You can also consider the cost of a synthetic cedar roof, which is often less than natural wood.
Hire a professional. Hiring a professional will cost thousands in labor, but it’s worth the added investment for peace of mind, to keep yourself safe, and to keep your warranty coverage intact. In some cases, you could save money on repairs and property damage down the road by paying more for a professional installation upfront.
Yes, installing a new cedar shake roof will provide a significant boost to home value. On average, you can expect an ROI of between 50% and 70%, depending on the quality of the wood, the climate in your area, and the preferences of local buyers. Cedar roofs last for around two to three times as long as asphalt shingle roofs and offer more curb appeal, so buyers looking for peace of mind or a unique property will likely be willing to pay a premium for a home with a cedar roof.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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Mitchell and the crew were top tier i am so happy with my new roof
Home Genius ExteriorsD1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLCThis place took $25,000 for a flat roof job with a five-year warranty and never returned to fix the leaks that were caused by their work. These people are not professionals and should not be doing this type of work. They incorrectly changed the pitch of the roof, and caused more damage than...
The technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimneyI am really impressed with their timeliness and turnaround. Mitchell came out, and we decided to move forward with their pricing. Our roof was on within a week, and we could not be happier with their team! Amazing company, great prices and honest, dependable craftsmanship. I highly recommend...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioManuel Calvillo is the best option in the area for roofing and you won't be disappointed.
They damaged multiple items on my property, including a marble slab used as a table top, tried to hide it, and refused to pay or replace. Arrived day one without a ladder to access roof & delayed a day. Left a mess in back yard; didn't wear face masks; no show by owner to property to see damages
Grants Tree ServiceI've hired Gary/Cherokee Roofing for two different homes, work quality, responsiveness, and completion have been great both times. And the prices quoted were very competitive. I would definitely hire again.
Lyle did a great job removing asbestos shingles from our front porch roof. They worked together with our roofer to make sure that the new roof was able to be installed on the same day that Lyle removed the asbestos shingles.
Lyle EnvironmentalBradley Builders did a good job replacing the roof on our front porch. They color-matched the existing shingles on the rest of the house and installed a metal ridge roll since we live in a historical neighborhood. They did the job while we were out of town. When we got back, everything was...
Bradley Builders, Inc.From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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