Metal roof cost in Houston, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $8,800 – $29,900
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.35 – $14.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #197
- 1 = most expensive
Houston homeowners pay roughly $8,800 to $29,900 to install a metal roof at 2,000 sq ft of roof, or $4.35 to $14.50 per sq ft of roof (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Houston is 9% lower. Roofers earn a median of $21.87 an hour in the Houston area, 18% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Houston, TX, standard level
$15,100 to $23,600
About $7.45 to $11.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,250 | $11,900 |
| Labor | $8,650 | $11,300 |
| Permits and fees | $250 | $390 |
| Total | $15,100 | $23,600 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Houston, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,000 | $9,050 | $16,100 | 47% |
| Labor | $6,650 | $9,950 | $13,300 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $320 | $490 | 2% |
| Total | $8,800 | $19,300 | $29,900 | 100% |
Where the Houston 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, Houston wages are 0.83 times the national level. Labor makes up about 52% of the midpoint estimate (56% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Houston metro is 100.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $9,050, compared with $9,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (98.6) and land at $150 to $490.
How Houston compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 2,000 sq ft of roof range from $18,800 to $19,500 across Houston and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TXthis page | $8,800 – $29,900 | $19,300 | |
| Beaumont, TX70 miles | $8,800 – $29,100 | $18,900 | −2% |
| College Station, TX95 miles | $8,700 – $28,800 | $18,800 | −3% |
| Lake Charles, LA130 miles | $9,150 – $29,700 | $19,400 | level |
| Austin, TX140 miles | $9,200 – $29,800 | $19,500 | +1% |
| Waco, TX170 miles | $9,000 – $29,500 | $19,200 | −1% |
| Texas (statewide) | $8,850 – $29,700 | $19,300 | level |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Houston comes in at #197 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, Houston is 0% above the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $9,150 – $30,900 | $20,000 | +3% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $9,200 – $29,800 | $19,500 | +1% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $8,600 – $28,600 | $18,600 | −4% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $7,600 – $26,600 | $17,100 | −12% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $8,400 – $28,300 | $18,300 | −5% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $8,050 – $27,600 | $17,800 | −8% |
Cities with a workforce like Houston's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Houston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $9,150 – $30,900 | $20,000 | +3% |
| Washington, DC | 3,136,190 jobs | $10,500 – $33,900 | $22,200 | +15% |
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $14,100 – $41,300 | $27,700 | +43% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $11,100 – $33,900 | $22,500 | +16% |
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 Houston is 0.83 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 70%) the local median is $21.87 an hour, which is 18% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $17.84 and $24.37 an hour. BLS counts 1,230 of them working in the area, 3.7 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 $24.94 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $20.46 and $30.47 an hour. BLS counts 2,610 of them working in the area, 7.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 10% of the weighting: a median of $19.88 an hour, 12% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.82 and $22.88 an hour. About 34,080 work in the metro. That is 103.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the roofers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($24.37 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $790. At the 25th percentile ($17.84) it shrinks by about $1,250. The total moves by 4.1% or 6.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 3,289,720 jobs in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands area. That makes it the 5th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.12% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 70% | $17.84 | $21.87 | $24.37 | $26.65 | 0.82 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $20.46 | $24.94 | $30.47 | $29.71 | 0.84 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $17.82 | $19.88 | $22.88 | $22.66 | 0.88 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Houston bid
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).
Panel type
Corrugated sheet metal is $5-$12 per sq ft installed; standing seam is $9-$16 (HomeGuide).
Pick a size, pick a tier: metal roof pricing in Houston
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Houston 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
$8,800 to $17,200
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$15,100 to $23,600
Standing seam steel
Premium
$21,400 to $29,900
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $5,350 – $10,500 | $9,150 – $14,300 | $13,000 – $18,100 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $8,800 – $17,200 | $15,100 – $23,600 | $21,400 – $29,900 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $12,300 – $24,000 | $21,100 – $32,800 | $29,900 – $41,600 |
When to schedule metal roof in Houston
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Houston Hobby Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Houston (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Houston gets about 56 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (6.1 inches in June). Inside the workable window, February and March are the driest, at 2.9 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 101 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 | 64 | 46 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 68 | 50 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 56 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 62 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 69 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 75 | 6.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 93 | 77 | 4.6 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 77 | 5.4 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 73 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 82 | 64 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 73 | 54 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 66 | 48 | 4.3 | Workable |
Related projects, priced for Houston
Because every project leans on different trades, Houston's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, attic insulation runs −1% and roof replacement −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,350 – $11,300 | −10% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,200 – $4,000 | −6% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $980 – $3,950 | −1% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,750 – $23,300 | −8% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $15,100 to $23,600 for Houston, TX is attached.
Detailed metal roof report for Houston, TX, $9
The report lays out the metal roof numbers for Houston, TX line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Metal roof in Houston: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Houston?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $8,800 to $29,900 in the Houston area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,100 to $23,600. 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 Houston?
About $4.35 to $14.50 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $150 to $490 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Houston or Beaumont?
Beaumont is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $18,900, which is 2% less than Houston ($19,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Houston?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $9,950 out of $19,300. Materials are 47% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Houston?
$8,800 to $29,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Houston?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $490 for fees in the Houston area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Houston expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Texas?
Houston is 0% above the Texas statewide estimate ($19,300 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Houston?
The BLS median is $21.87 an hour in the Houston area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.84 to $24.37.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Houston?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $8,800 to $17,200 and premium work $21,400 to $29,900. 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 Houston?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. February and March 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 Houston
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.