Metal roof cost in Lafayette, IN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $8,950 – $29,400
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.40 – $14.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #215
- 1 = most expensive
Lafayette homeowners pay roughly $8,950 to $29,400 to install a metal roof at 2,000 sq ft of roof, or $4.40 to $14.50 per sq ft of roof (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Lafayette is 10% lower. Roofers earn a median of $21.22 an hour in the Lafayette area, 20% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Lafayette, IN, standard level
$15,100 to $23,300
About $7.45 to $11.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $11,100 |
| Labor | $9,000 | $11,800 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $370 |
| Total | $15,100 | $23,300 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Lafayette, IN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $8,500 | $15,100 | 44% |
| Labor | $6,950 | $10,400 | $13,900 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $470 | 2% |
| Total | $8,950 | $19,200 | $29,400 | 100% |
Where the Lafayette price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: roofers at 70%, sheet metal workers at 20%, construction laborers at 10%. Weighted together, Lafayette wages are 0.87 times the national level. Labor makes up about 54% of the midpoint estimate (56% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Lafayette metro is 94.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $8,500, compared with $9,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.4) and land at $140 to $470.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Lafayette is 0.87 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 70%) the local median is $21.22 an hour, which is 20% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $18.91 and $29.07 an hour. BLS counts 40 of them working in the area, 3.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 20%) the local median is $30.24 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $22.95 and $43.69 an hour. BLS counts 140 of them working in the area, 13.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 10% of the weighting: a median of $24.02 an hour, 6% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.77 and $29.82 an hour. About 760 work in the metro. That is 74.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the roofers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.07 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,450. At the 25th percentile ($18.91) it shrinks by about $730. The total moves by 12.9% or 3.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 102,200 jobs in the Lafayette-West Lafayette area. That makes it the 201st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.07% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 70% | $18.91 | $21.22 | $29.07 | $26.65 | 0.80 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $22.95 | $30.24 | $43.69 | $29.71 | 1.02 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $19.77 | $24.02 | $29.82 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.87 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Lafayette
Because every project leans on different trades, Lafayette's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, attic insulation runs level and roof replacement −12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,300 – $11,000 | −12% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,200 – $4,000 | −5% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $4,000 | level |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,350 – $25,000 | −1% |
How Lafayette compares
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Lafayette. Bloomington comes closest at about $20,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, INthis page | $8,950 – $29,400 | $19,200 | |
| Indianapolis, IN65 miles | $9,800 – $31,100 | $20,500 | +7% |
| Champaign, IL70 miles | $11,500 – $34,400 | $23,000 | +20% |
| Terre Haute, IN75 miles | $9,750 – $31,000 | $20,400 | +6% |
| Bloomington, IN90 miles | $9,500 – $30,500 | $20,000 | +4% |
| Niles, MI90 miles | $10,300 – $32,000 | $21,100 | +10% |
| Indiana (statewide) | $10,400 – $32,500 | $21,400 | +12% |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | +11% |
Across 300 US metros, Lafayette comes in at #215 from the top. The priciest is Worcester, MA at $29,600; the cheapest is Lubbock, TX at $17,000 (midpoints, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Statewide, Lafayette is 11% below the Indiana figure.
Other Indiana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN | 1,105,170 jobs | $9,800 – $31,100 | $20,500 | +7% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 225,520 jobs | $9,350 – $30,200 | $19,800 | +3% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $10,900 – $33,300 | $22,100 | +15% |
| South Bend, IN | 131,670 jobs | $11,300 – $34,100 | $22,700 | +18% |
| Elkhart, IN | 127,730 jobs | $10,300 – $32,100 | $21,200 | +11% |
| Bloomington, IN | 73,240 jobs | $9,500 – $30,500 | $20,000 | +4% |
Cities with a workforce like Lafayette's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lafayette against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $8,550 – $28,800 | $18,700 | −3% |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $9,150 – $29,700 | $19,400 | +1% |
| Charleston, WV | 103,450 jobs | $9,800 – $31,300 | $20,600 | +7% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $13,300 – $37,900 | $25,600 | +33% |
Why two Lafayette quotes can differ
Metal and gauge
Galvalume and galvanized steel are budget-friendly; copper and zinc are the top of the range.
Labor
Metal roof labor is $4-$8 per sq ft, or $400-$800 per roofing square, and standing seam needs specialist crews.
Other metals
Tin runs $600-$1,800 per roofing square (100 sq ft) installed and aluminum $700-$1,700 per square (HomeGuide).
When to schedule metal roof in Lafayette
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Lafayette Purdue Univ Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Lafayette (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Lafayette gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.6 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and September are the driest, at 2.7 and 2.6 inches. The station averages about 20 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33 | 18 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 38 | 21 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 50 | 30 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 62 | 40 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 73 | 51 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 60 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 63 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 62 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 54 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 50 | 33 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 24 | 2.3 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Lafayette
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Lafayette wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$8,950 to $17,100
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$15,100 to $23,300
Standing seam steel
Premium
$21,200 to $29,400
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $5,450 – $10,400 | $9,150 – $14,100 | $12,900 – $17,800 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $8,950 – $17,100 | $15,100 – $23,300 | $21,200 – $29,400 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $12,500 – $23,900 | $21,000 – $32,500 | $29,600 – $41,000 |
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Metal roof in Lafayette: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Lafayette?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $8,950 to $29,400 in the Lafayette area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,100 to $23,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for metal roof in Lafayette?
About $4.40 to $14.50 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $140 to $470 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Lafayette or Indianapolis?
Indianapolis is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $20,500, which is 7% more than Lafayette ($19,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lafayette?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $10,400 out of $19,200. Materials are 44% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Lafayette?
$8,950 to $29,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Lafayette?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $140 to $470 for fees in the Lafayette area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lafayette expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Indiana?
Lafayette is 11% below the Indiana statewide estimate ($21,400 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Indiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Lafayette?
The BLS median is $21.22 an hour in the Lafayette area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.91 to $29.07.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Lafayette?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $8,950 to $17,100 and premium work $21,200 to $29,400. Basic means: corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels. Premium means: aluminum or premium finish, complex roof.
+When is the best time to install a metal roof in Lafayette?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March and September are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Metal roof near Lafayette
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range minus HomeGuide's $4-$8/sq ft labor range for metal roofs.