Roof Replacement Cost in Des Moines, IA (2027 Prices)
Adjust the house size or the roof slope in Des Moines, IA
A roof's pitch is its rise in inches over twelve inches of run. Steeper roofs like 9/12 need roof jacks and harness work, so they cost more. We assume 7/12 for Iowa; pick yours above.
Our model puts a new asphalt roof in Des Moines, IA at $9,810 to $14,950, based on a typical 1,620 sq. ft. single-story house. The roof itself measures about 1,985 sq. ft. (19.8 squares) at a 7/12 slope, and the price includes labor, materials and removal of the existing layer.
Roofers bid by the square, which is a hundred square feet of roof; here the installed rate works out to $602.31 a square. If you want architectural 50-year shingles instead, plan on $10,900 to $16,610; metal opens at about $21,100 with steel shingles.
Metro costs lift the price here by about $270 over the Iowa figure ($9,590 to $14,620). The Des Moines figures cover its 57 ZIP codes in Polk County.
Des Moines, IA Roofing Costs by Material
Every row is the same Des Moines, IA roof with a different surface. The low and high ends mark the usual spread between contractors; the middle column is the number to budget.
| Material | Installed cost | Estimate | Per square |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | |||
| Asphalt shingles, 30-year | $9,810 to $14,950 | $11,960 | $602.31 |
| Architectural shingles, 50-year | $10,900 to $16,610 | $13,290 | $669.35 |
| Metal | |||
| Steel shingles | $21,100 to $32,150 | $25,720 | $1,296.04 |
| Aluminum shingles | $23,330 to $35,560 | $28,450 | $1,433.16 |
| Standing seam metal | $28,120 to $42,860 | $34,290 | $1,727.71 |
| Stone-coated steel tiles | $28,710 to $43,770 | $35,020 | $1,764.28 |
| Flat / low-slope membranes (priced on the 1,620 sq. ft. footprint) | |||
| EPDM rubber membrane | $13,360 to $17,350 | $15,360 | $947.65 |
| TPO membrane, 60-mil | $11,500 to $14,940 | $13,220 | $815.61 |
| PVC membrane, 60-mil | $13,910 to $18,060 | $15,980 | $986.25 |
These figures are not separate guesses. They run through our roof replacement calculator, metal roof calculator and flat roof calculator with the Plains regional factor, which lands pitched roofs 1% above the U.S. average.
Price per Year of Roof
The real cost of a roof is price divided by the years it lasts. Hover a bar: metal costs more up front and less per year.
Service lives follow the climate-bell model above (asphalt peaks in moderate regions; metal assumes correct installation); prices are the Des Moines, IA estimates above.
What Pushes a Des Moines, IA Roof Quote Up or Down
Line items, not markup, explain most bid gaps. Priced on the 19.8-square roof in this guide:
- Strip and haul. Expect roughly $2,870 of the bid for one layer off. Each extra layer underneath raises it again, by about $1,860 for the second.
- Geometry. Four-sided hip roofs run about $1,180 above a gable; heavily cut-up roofs with dormers sit about $2,000 above it.
- Height. A second story adds roughly $850 to the same roof, because every bundle goes higher and safety setup takes longer.
- Skylights. Swapping or adding a skylight costs around $360 each at Des Moines, IA rates.
- Bad wood. Damaged decking is the most common mid-job extra. Agree on a price per sheet before work starts.
- Trim items. Chimney flashing, pipe boots, ridge vents and drip edge may or may not be in a bid. Gutters usually are not - the gutter cost calculator prices them.
- Paperwork. Local permit fees and dumpster rental vary; ask each roofer to list them rather than add them later.
Check a Bid Against Your Roof
Adjust the four choices below until they describe your job, then hold every quote up to the result.
$11,960quotes usually $9,810 – $14,950
Figures cover the 7/12 roof above (1,985 sq. ft.) at Des Moines, IA prices; add gutters, skylights and any deck repairs separately.
Ask each bidder to fill in the same list: tear-off layers, underlayment, ice barrier, flashing, vents, decking rate, permit. Gaps in that list explain most low bids.
Iowa Climate and Roof Wear
Iowa's winters average highs near 28°F and lows near 11°F; summer highs average about 85°F. On our climate map below, that puts it in Region 2. Here is what that weather does to roofing in Iowa, and how to spec around it.
Hail. Hail is a leading cause of roof claims in Iowa. Get one bid on impact-rated shingles, then compare the extra cost with any premium credit your insurer offers.
Ice dams. With winter lows around 11°F, eave ice is the main leak risk. Insist on ice-barrier membrane at the eaves and in every valley, then cut the attic heat loss that starts the melt. The attic insulation calculator and roof heat cable calculator cover that side.
Wind. Strong storm winds lift shingle edges and peel back roofing at the rakes. Ask for shingles with a high wind rating and the manufacturer's high-wind nailing pattern.
Where Shingles Live Longest: the Climate Bell
Asphalt life peaks in the moderate middle (Region 3) and falls toward BOTH ends of the map above - cold regions destroy shingles with ice dams, hot ones bake them. Note the middle columns: shingles marketed as “lifetime” are good for about 25 real-world years at best - Iowa is Region 2. Hover any column.
low pitch holds snow and ice - it costs the most years in cold regions
Planning figures from our climate model, for ventilation-correct installs - a baked, unvented attic can take years off any column. Pitch adjusts the asphalt columns only; metal sheds snow at any sane pitch.
Roof Replacement Cost Near You
Metal vs. Shingles in Des Moines, IA
Metal is not one product. Long panels, metal shingles, stone-coated tiles and copper each solve a different problem, and the price gap between them is wide.
- Standing seam: $28,120 to $42,860. Tall ribs, clips under the seams, nothing exposed to rust or work loose. Wide, plain roof planes show it at its best. Here it costs about $21,010 above architectural shingles.
- Steel shingles: $21,100 to $32,150. Aluminum shingles: $23,330 to $35,560. Small metal panels with a shingle or tile profile. They go on much like shingles, so hips and dormers are easier than with long panels. Pick aluminum near the ocean and steel inland.
- Stone-coated steel: $28,710 to $43,770. Steel tiles with a coat of stone granules. They are quiet in the rain, hard to dent, and look like tile or shake from the street.
- Copper: custom quote only. Copper sits above every other metal in price and is bid job by job, so it has no line in our calculator. It is the roof of old churches and city landmarks. On a house it makes the most sense on a small, visible spot or a historic home.
Shingle roofs in Iowa often fail at the eaves first, where ice builds up and water backs in. Metal is slick, so snow lets go before that ice ridge can form. The edge stays sound, and the roof can go two or three times as long as asphalt.
Hail marks show most on thin, smooth panels. A heavier gauge, a textured finish or a stone coat keeps them out of sight. Owners who stay put get the most from metal, because the long service life is where the savings sit. Want a firmer metal number? Try the metal roof calculator with your measurements.
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Best Season for a New Roof in Des Moines, IA
Cold winters (highs around 28°F) push most re-roofing into the warm months, when shingle seal strips can bond. Get bids in late winter to secure a spring or summer slot.
When storm crews arrive, slow down. Verify insurance, licensing and a local address first, and get the full scope in writing.
Flat and Low-Slope Roof Prices in Des Moines, IA
A flat roof the size of this home's 1,620 sq. ft. footprint would run, in Des Moines, IA:
- EPDM rubber: $13,360 to $17,350. Old-school rubber roofing, and still a fair choice. It takes a hailstorm and a hard freeze in stride. The dark color soaks up sun, so it fits best where nobody lives right under it.
- TPO, 60-mil: $11,500 to $14,940. White plastic sheet, welded at the seams. It stays light for years and keeps the rooms below cooler. Quality varies by maker more than with the other two, so ask which product the bid names.
- PVC, 60-mil: $13,910 to $18,060. Also white and heat-welded, but tougher against grease, chemicals and standing water. It is the pick for roof decks, low spots that hold puddles, and anything near a kitchen exhaust.
On this footprint TPO comes in lowest, EPDM sits in the middle and PVC costs the most. Both insulation board and old-layer removal are in the numbers. Per square foot, small flat roofs cost noticeably more than large ones. Ponding water is the main enemy of flat roofs through a Iowa winter. Ask for tapered insulation at low spots and clear drains. Need another membrane or insulation level? The flat roof calculator prices it.
With winter lows near 11°F, pick the membrane for its seams and its drainage, not its color. Welded seams and tapered board at low spots keep ice out of the joints.
Nearby Iowa City Guides
How Des Moines compares with other Iowa cities on the standard asphalt roof:
- Cedar Rapids, IA, 110 mi east: $9,750 to $14,860
- Sioux City, IA, 150 mi northwest: $9,690 to $14,760
- Davenport, IA, 160 mi east: $9,710 to $14,800
Roofers serving Des Moines also cover Windsor Heights, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Johnston and Ankeny, generally at similar prices. For statewide figures, see the Iowa roofing cost guide.
Des Moines, IA Roofing Questions
Is a roofing permit required in Iowa?
Often yes. Most local building departments want a permit for a full replacement. The contractor normally handles it - ask to see it before work starts.
How do I estimate my roof size?
A square is a hundred square feet of roof surface. For this 1,620 sq. ft. footprint at a 7/12 pitch, figure about 19.8 squares (1,985 sq. ft.). Use the same number when you compare bids.
What is the usual timeline for a re-roof?
For roughly 19.8 squares, a full crew usually finishes asphalt in a few days. Metal panels and roofs with many valleys take longer.
Does homeowners insurance cover roof replacement?
If a storm caused the damage, possibly; if the roof simply wore out, no. A replacement here runs $9,810 to $14,950, so know your deductible and settlement terms before you file. Look for a wind or hail deductible in your Iowa policy; it is often figured as a percentage, not a dollar amount.
Check your figures: Roof Replacement Calculator · Metal Roof Calculator · Flat Roof Calculator · Gutter Cost Calculator · Attic Insulation Calculator · Roof Heat Cable Calculator
How we price: every figure runs through our roofing calculator math, scaled for Plains costs and refreshed each year for inflation. They are budgeting numbers, not quotes. Real roof size, site access, code rules and season all change bids, so collect three or more written quotes on one scope.
Quick Answers
Answers use Iowa averages; energy prices updated October 2026.
What time of year is best for a new roof in Iowa?
Plan for the warm season. Winter highs in Iowa average about 28°F, too cold for the seal strips to set on their own, so late spring through early fall is the usual window.
Does a new roof in Iowa need an ice barrier membrane?
It should have one. With typical winter lows around 11°F, roofs in Iowa face ice dams, so the membrane belongs at the eaves and in every valley - check the building code for the minimum.
Does metal roofing make sense in Iowa?
Usually, if you will stay. With winter lows around 11°F, metal in Iowa sends snow sliding off before it can build ice at the eaves - just add snow guards above entries.
Will a lighter roof lower cooling costs in Iowa?
Only a little. Winter lows around 11°F mean heating dominates the energy bill in Iowa; spend first on attic insulation and air sealing.
Can new shingles go on top of the old roof?
Sometimes, if only one layer is on now and local code allows a second. A full tear-off costs more but exposes the deck, so rotted boards get replaced rather than buried.
Run your own numbers: Roof replacement calculator or Metal roof cost calculator.
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