Roofing Prices Unpacked: What Most Roofers Charge Per Square and Why Costs Vary

Picture this: You're staring at your roof, battling a leak, or maybe just dreading a looming, pricey repair. The word on the street—"per square" charges—gets thrown around by roofers. But how much does a square actually cost? Let’s strip away the confusing talk and nail down real numbers, the reasons behind the price tag, and some smart moves to avoid paying more than you should. Spoiler: There's a lot more at play than just shoving shingles onto some timber.

What Is a Roofing Square and Why Does It Matter?

First things first—people hear "square" and think square metre or square foot. Not in roofing. Here, a "square" is industry code for 100 square feet (in New Zealand, that’s just under 9.3 square metres). Whether you’re fixing a shed or a sprawling villa, the “per square” rate sets the tone for your whole project budget. Roofers break down quotes using this measurement, so knowing what’s wrapped into these prices is key to understanding what you’ll pay.

The pricing actually swings wildly. Nationally, in New Zealand as of July 2025, roofers charge per square between $500 and $1,500 NZD, depending on whether you’re keeping things basic or craving high-end finishes. In Wellington, where winds and wet weather work over roofs faster than coffee at a Monday morning meeting, labour rates tend to be at the upper end of that spread. But why do quotes vary so much?

It all boils down to what’s included. Most residential roofing quotes cover stripping the old materials, waste disposal, underlayment, fastening, flashing, installation, and a warranty. But more complicated roofs—a lot of valleys, skylights, steep slopes, or second stories—need extra time and gear, which racks up the bill per square.

Let’s talk materials. If you’re eyeing standard long-run steel, you’re usually looking at $600–$900 NZD per square (installed). Tile? $750–$1,100 NZD. Asphalt shingles, while rare here, run closer to $450–$1,000 NZD depending on the brand and thickness, but you rarely see them outside a few experimental homes and imports. Then there’s the architectural stuff—slate, copper—those start around $1,200 NZD per square and blast through the roof (literally!) from there.

Compare this with other major cities: In Auckland, roofing jobs often climb higher, with an average per square price budgeted around $900–$1,500 NZD, driven up by labour and transport costs. If you’re out in a rural central district, expect about 10% to 20% less per square thanks to less demand and fewer traffic headaches.

The size of your roof matters a bunch. Roofers love big jobs because they can set up once and move fast, so those larger projects often get a slightly better “per square” rate than fiddly patch-ups on tiny bungalows. Small jobs and repairs, though, will see the per square rate inflate, sometimes tripling the typical cost just to make it worth the roofer’s trip out.

Here’s an easy reference chart based on this year’s data, using single-storey houses with medium complexity as a guide. Prices include removal, materials, labour, and standard flashing, but not high-risk sites or add-ons like skylights or insulation upgrades:

Material Type	Low-End ($NZD/square)	High-End ($NZD/square)
Long-run steel	$600	$900
Pressed metal tiles	$750	$1,100
Clay/concrete tiles	$800	$1,200
Slate (natural)	$1,200	$2,500+
Bitumen/Asphalt Shingles	$450	$1,000

Remember, the “per square” price will shift depending on job size and roof complexity. If your place needs lots of scaffolding or you live oceanside in Lyall Bay, those factors push things up quickly. You might even need engineered underlays or coastal-rated fasteners.

Pro tip: Always get quotes that spell out what’s included in the rate. Ensure GST, waste removal, and warranties are clear. Ask if there’s a builder’s clean-up or skip bin cost in there too. Kiwi roofers sometimes underquote just to win jobs—don’t get stung when the “extras” start rolling in on your invoice.

One more thing: Timing matters. The dead of winter or late spring? Everyone’s desperate, so expect your per square charge to creep up with demand, especially if storms just rolled through and the city’s leaky roof hotline is ringing off the hook. If you can wait for the school holidays or quiet months, you often score a friendlier rate.

What Explains the Differences in Roofer Charges?

If you’ve ever compared two roofing quotes and wondered why one is twice the price, you’re not alone. It’s not just about the roofer’s mood or how shiny their ute looks. Several factors swing the price dial—let’s break down the big ones so you can spot whether you’re paying for quality, or just for fancy sales talk.

Labour is the kingpin. Wellington has a chronic shortage of skilled roofers, pushing wages to an average of $35–$50/hour for experienced hands (that’s before business overheads). The more experienced and safety-certified the crew, the higher the base price. But you’re paying for a stress-free job. Dodgy, uninsured chippies offering a back-of-the-van “deal” are never a bargain if you need to chase a leak two months later or battle with insurer claims down the track.

Materials are another hefty slab of your bill. Right now, New Zealand imports a chunk of roofing steel, and with global shipping still expensive in 2025, price hikes happen fast. Choosing fancy-but-shipped-from-Europe tiles can double your price per square in a blink. Even a spike in fastener prices or a delay at the wharf can filter through your quote in an instant.

Don’t forget access. If your driveway is so tiny a goat would struggle to get up there, guess what: That ‘hard access’ charge adds to your per square rate. Roofers factor in everything from steep sections, high scaffolding, to how many power lines cross your backyard. Even an awkward slope on an old villa means more health and safety kit is needed. That’s extra cost in both time and risk.

Weather, believe it or not, plays more than a mood-setting role. Wellington’s famous wind means roofers have to pause work when gusts go manic. Every lost hour cuts into their day, so sometimes you’ll pay a “weather buffer” as a planning tool. On miserable stretches in June or August, don’t be surprised if your project budgets extra days, lifting your final cost.

Every so often, jobs run into hidden nasties—think rotten timbers, rusted purlins, or ancient insulation full of mold. Good roofers allow a contingency in the quote but will walk you through any surprise costs before swinging a hammer. If you live in a heritage zone, be ready for eye-watering upgrade demands from the local council too; specific tiles or flashing styles can shunt your "per square" charge up by 30 to 50% just to tick the paperwork boxes.

The quality of the underlayment or sarking makes a surprising dent in the budget. If you’re re-roofing an Edwardian with no sarking—or worse, split timber—a full underlayment install is required for both building code and warranty. This can be as much as $100–$300 NZD added per square. It’s a cost well worth paying, but easy to miss if your quote tries to "look cheap" upfront.

Then there’s the warranty. Reputable roofers in Wellington back their work with 10, even 15-year warranties, especially if they’re using Colorsteel or Gerard-certified systems. But these warranties cost money, often baked into that "per square" price. If someone’s giving you a deal with no written warranty, steer clear—fixing bodgy work a year later will cost you triple.

If you want energy upgrades or insulation tweaks under the new roof (and, trust me, with Wellington’s chill that’s smart), there’s usually an extra $70–$150 NZD per square for rigid board, and a bit less for under-sarking blankets. Not everyone includes this in quotes, so check the details and compare apples with apples. And if you want solar brackets or future-proofing for panels, best ask early—roofers can add mounting details during installation, saving you a fortune if you ever get panels fitted later.

Lastly, council requirements. Most full roof replacements in New Zealand need a building consent, which adds cost for inspections and paperwork, usually an $800–$1,500+ hit depending on council fees and if plans are needed. This rarely appears in “per square” pricing, but your roofer should flag it before work begins.

Getting the Right Quote: Questions to Ask and Red Flags to Dodge

The right quote can save you thousands—not just today, but for years, ditching future leaks and hidden costs. Start with the basics: Is the quote itemised? Any honest roofer will break down per square charges, explain materials, and detail what’s included (and what’s not). If something feels vague, ask!

Get at least three quotes from established, local roofers. Don’t just chase the lowest number. A really cheap outlier usually means corners cut—bare-bones materials, rushed installs, or the dreaded “mate’s rates” that fall apart after one Wellington winter. Instead, sift through testimonials or request to see a job they did recently. Happy customers are gold.

Ask about the breakdown for labour, material type (get a spec sheet), and removal/disposal. Is GST included? Is there a fixed price or is it “subject to site conditions”—if so, what sort of things would increase your bill? Clarify timelines. Wellington’s weather is notorious for dragging out projects, so realistic timeframes are your friend. Get it in writing!

Scout for these red flags: Pressure for upfront cash deposits above 20%, no public liability insurance (insist they show paperwork!), reluctance to provide references, or a lack of local council approval. If a roofer tells you consent isn’t needed for a full tear-off and re-roof, check with the council yourself—rules changed in May 2023 and fines are not cheap.

Want to trim back your “per square” costs? Book outside peak storm season, avoid last-minute panics after a storm, and group in other work (like guttering, insulation, or flashing upgrades) to get better rates as a package deal. A trusted trick: Ask about off-cuts or discontinued colours at the supplier—sometimes, you can score a discount if you’re less fussy about exact colour matches on the parts you can't see from the street.

Wellington’s best roofers will always discuss aftercare and maintenance. Find out if they provide regular checks, or call-outs for warranty service. A good roofing system can last 30–50 years with light annual upkeep: cleaning gutters, quick paint touch-ups, and replacing the odd nail or screw that works loose. Most roof issues boil down to neglected maintenance, not dodgy install jobs.

By the time you’re ready to sign, you should know the “per square” charge, what extras might pop up, and how long you’ll be living under tarps. Transparency means peace of mind. A roof is one job you only want to pay for once—getting the wrong roofer, or not checking what’s in writing, is a sure way to pay twice.

Roofing prices per square make a solid starting point for any homeowner or builder hunting for new work in Wellington or anywhere else in New Zealand. Go in armed with the facts, challenge quotes that look suspicious, and focus on quality as much as price. Your house—and your wallet—will thank you in the next storm.