01Trade cost
Roofing cost in Canada
Membrane or shingle assembly, insulation, vapour control and flashing. Roof cost is measured on roof area and detail count, so a small roof with many penetrations can price above a large plain one.
02The rate
Commercial hourly
$85 – $145
Billed rate, national band
General hourly
$75 – $125
House-scale work
Commercial $/sf
$11 – $17
5% of hard cost
General $/sf
$14 – $21
From the residential band
The cost per square foot above is not a separate dataset. It is 5% of the curated new-build hard-cost band and 0% of the curated fit-out band that the market pages already publish, so this page can never contradict them.
03General versus commercial
The two segments, side by side
| Segment | Hourly | New build $/sf | Fit-out $/sf |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / residential | $75 – $125 | $14 – $21 | — |
| Commercial | $85 – $145 | $11 – $17 | — |
Why commercial roofing bills higher
Commercial roofing is a low-slope membrane assembly with insulation to a code R-value, tapered drainage, curbs, warranty inspection and safety anchorage. Residential roofing is largely a steep-slope shingle re-cover.
What the quoted rate covers
Normally: Membrane or shingle assembly and underlayment; Insulation and vapour control to specification; Flashing, edge metal and standard penetration details. Normally not: Structural deck repair discovered after tear-off; Fall-arrest anchorage and guardrail systems; Extended manufacturer warranty inspections; Snow and ice removal during the work.
Buildlor facts
- Roofing is 5% of hard cost on a new build.
- Roofing is 0% of hard cost on a fit-out.
- Hard cost is typically 60 to 75 percent of an all-in budget, so a trade's share of the total is smaller again.
04What moves the number
Cost drivers
- Penetration count: every curb, drain and vent is a detail priced individually, and details are where leaks and cost both live.
- Insulation R-value: energy code minimums have raised commercial roof insulation cost materially over the last decade.
- Tear-off versus re-cover: disposal and unexpected deck repair are the two largest variables.
- Access and staging on an occupied building adds hoisting and protection cost.
05By market
Roofing cost by city
Every market below carries a curated cost factor, so the trade rate moves with it. Markets we publish a dedicated page for are linked.
| Market | Commercial $/sf | General $/sf |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto, ON | $11 – $18 | $15 – $23 |
| Montreal, QC | $10 – $16 | $13 – $20 |
| Calgary, AB | $11 – $16 | $14 – $21 |
| Ottawa, ON | $11 – $17 | $14 – $22 |
| Edmonton, AB | $10 – $16 | $13 – $20 |
| Winnipeg, MB | $10 – $15 | $13 – $20 |
| Mississauga, ON | $11 – $18 | $15 – $23 |
| Vancouver, BC | $12 – $19 | $16 – $24 |
| Brampton, ON | $11 – $17 | $14 – $22 |
| Hamilton, ON | $11 – $17 | $14 – $22 |
| Surrey, BC | $12 – $18 | $15 – $23 |
| Quebec City, QC | $10 – $15 | $13 – $20 |
| Halifax, NS | $10 – $16 | $13 – $20 |
| Laval, QC | $10 – $16 | $13 – $20 |
| London, ON | $10 – $16 | $13 – $20 |
| Victoria, BC | $11 – $18 | $15 – $23 |
| Markham, ON | $11 – $17 | $14 – $22 |
| Vaughan, ON | $11 – $18 | $15 – $23 |
| Saskatoon, SK | $10 – $16 | $13 – $20 |
| Gatineau, QC | $10 – $16 | $13 – $20 |
| Kitchener, ON | $11 – $17 | $14 – $21 |
| Longueuil, QC | $10 – $16 | $13 – $20 |
| Regina, SK | $10 – $15 | $13 – $20 |
| Burnaby, BC | $12 – $19 | $16 – $24 |
| Windsor, ON | $10 – $16 | $13 – $20 |
06Questions
How much does roofing cost per hour?
Roofing is billed in a band, not at one rate. Commercial work bills above general work for the same hour because of documentation, inspection and coordination. The bands on this page are national baselines; the market table shows how they move by city.
Why is commercial roofing more expensive than residential?
Commercial roofing is a low-slope membrane assembly with insulation to a code R-value, tapered drainage, curbs, warranty inspection and safety anchorage. Residential roofing is largely a steep-slope shingle re-cover.
What share of a construction budget is roofing?
5% of hard cost on a new build and 0% of a fit-out, on the division splits Buildlor publishes. Those shares are how the cost per square foot on this page is derived.
Is this a quote?
No. Buildlor is a data publisher, not a contractor. These are indicative benchmarks for the stage before you tender, and every page states what it excludes.
Buildlor Construction Cost Index · Last updated 2026-01-15 · Maintained by Buildlor Cost Desk
Not advice — Buildlor is a data publisher. We do not bid, price, estimate, or build work, and nothing here is a quote, a tender price, or construction advice. Figures are indicative order-of-magnitude benchmarks for early budgeting and must be confirmed by a qualified cost consultant, quantity surveyor, or general contractor before you rely on them. About Buildlor