How Much Do 30-Year Shingles Cost?

Seattle’s weather shingle roof installation Seattle atlasroofingwa.com demands a roof that can take consistent rain, seasonal wind, and winter cold without curling or leaking. Homeowners across Ballard, Beacon Hill, and Bellevue often ask a straight question: how much do shingles for roof cost, specifically 30-year architectural shingles? The short answer in the Seattle, WA area is that a full replacement with 30-year asphalt shingles typically runs between $10,500 and $22,000 for an average single-family home. The range is wide by design. Roof size, slope, access, layers to remove, ventilation upgrades, and material brand all move the number.

This guide lays out realistic pricing, what those numbers include, and how to budget for a roof in King County with fewer surprises.

What “30-Year Shingles” Actually Means

Most homeowners use “30-year shingles” to mean mid-grade architectural asphalt shingles rated to last around three decades in standard conditions. In Western Washington, service life varies with ventilation, tree cover, and maintenance. A properly installed 30-year shingle on a well-ventilated Seattle roof often delivers 22 to 28 years before replacement. The material is thicker and more wind-resistant than basic 3-tab shingles and stands up better to moss and frequent wetting.

Material Costs in Seattle

For architectural shingles labeled 30-year, material cost in the Seattle market typically falls between $120 and $180 per roofing square for shingles alone. One roofing square equals 100 square feet of roof surface. Underlayment, ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys, starter strips, hip and ridge caps, nails, flashings, and vents add another $80 to $150 per square, depending on the roof design and code requirements.

Residents in Queen Anne or West Seattle will see similar pricing on materials, with slight bumps for premium impact-rated shingles or algae-resistant lines. Many homeowners choose shingles with copper granules or added algicide to fight moss. That upgrade adds $10 to $25 per square but shingle roofers near me reduces long-term cleaning needs.

Labor and Installation Factors

Labor in King County is a meaningful portion of the total. Removal of one existing layer, deck inspection, minor sheathing repair, and full installation usually falls between $350 and $650 per square. Steeper roofs, multiple stories, limited driveway access in older neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, or strict HOA rules can push labor higher due to safety setups and staging.

Contractors plan for debris disposal, permits where applicable, and site protection. In Seattle’s rainy months, scheduling and weather protections such as temporary coverings add overhead but prevent water damage during tear-off.

Typical All-In Price Ranges by Home Size

These ranges reflect complete replacement with 30-year architectural shingles, including tear-off, underlayment, standard flashings, vents, and disposal. They assume one existing layer and a roof pitch in the moderate range.

Small bungalow or townhome, 12 to 18 squares: $10,500 to $15,000 Mid-size Craftsman or ranch, 20 to 28 squares: $14,000 to $19,500 Larger two-story or complex roof, 30 to 40 squares: $18,000 to $28,000

Complexities such as dormers, skylights, multiple valleys, or a second tear-off layer may add $1,000 to $4,000. A new gutter system, chimney rebuild, or full plywood deck replacement sits outside these ranges and is quoted after inspection.

What Drives the Difference: Real Seattle Examples

A 1920s Ballard Craftsman with a simple gable roof, one layer to remove, and good attic ventilation tends to price on the lower side. Most of the cost sits in the tear-off, new synthetic underlayment, architectural shingles, and ridge venting. The crew can stage materials easily along an alley, which keeps labor efficient.

A Queen Anne multi-facet roof with steep pitches, three skylights, and limited curb parking lands higher. The skylights need new flashing kits. The steep slope requires extra safety lines and staging time. If the home is under tree cover with needles clogging valleys, the crew installs wider metal valley flashing and ups the ice-and-water barrier area to manage heavy runoff.

Underlayment, Ventilation, and Flashings: Small Items, Big Payoff

Underlayment choice matters in Seattle’s climate. Many teams recommend high-quality synthetic underlayment rather than basic felt because it resists wrinkling in damp air and improves walkability for installers. Ice-and-water shield at eaves, valleys, and along skylights provides extra leak protection during wind-driven rain. Expect $400 to $900 of the project cost to be these membranes, depending on roof size and layout.

Ventilation upgrades reduce attic moisture and help shingles reach their potential lifespan. Ridge vents paired with adequate intake at the soffits are a common solution. If the soffits are painted shut or blocked by insulation, crews may add baffles or cut in new vents. These modest changes, often $300 to $1,200, lower the risk of winter condensation and summer heat buildup under the shingles.

Metal flashings around chimneys, sidewalls, and transitions are replaced during a proper reroof. Reusing old flashings saves little and risks leaks. New step and counter-flashings are standard, especially on older masonry chimneys in neighborhoods like Wallingford and Ravenna.

Brand and Warranty Choices

Most homeowners ask how much do shingles for roof cost, then quickly follow with which brand lasts longest here. In Seattle’s environment, mid-grade architectural shingles from major manufacturers perform similarly when installed correctly and vented well. Key differences show up in wind ratings, algae resistance, and warranty language.

Consider these trade-offs. Upgrading to Class 4 impact-rated shingles can increase material cost by 20 to 40 percent, which makes sense under heavy tree cover or near frequent branch fall, but may be overkill in open areas. Extended manufacturer warranties require certified installation and full accessory systems from the same brand. That adds cost upfront but can simplify claims. Homeowners who plan to sell within five years might choose a standard manufacturer warranty with a strong workmanship warranty from the contractor instead.

Timing and Seasonal Pricing in Seattle

Roofing crews in Seattle book heavily from May through September. Prices tend to hold firm in peak season due to demand and longer daylight hours. Late fall can bring short booking windows, weather delays, and higher setup costs. Some homeowners in Shoreline or Renton find better availability and modest price flexibility in late winter, weather permitting, though project duration may stretch due to rain. The core message stands: pick a contractor based on quality and schedule integrity, not a small seasonal discount.

How to Build a Realistic Budget

A straightforward way to budget is to estimate the roof size and apply a per-square blended cost. A 2,000-square-foot two-story home might have 24 squares of roof surface after accounting for slope and overhangs. At $500 to $800 per square all-in, the project would likely span $12,000 to $19,000. Add a contingency of 10 percent for sheathing repairs or ventilation upgrades. Seattle’s older homes often reveal a few sheets of soft plywood or plank decking that need replacement.

Permits vary by jurisdiction. Some cities around Seattle require a simple reroof permit. Fees are typically modest. Disposal fees for asphalt tear-off are built into the bid; large roofs or multiple layers increase the dumpster weight and cost.

Signs That Justify Upgrading Now

Homeowners often wait for leaks, but a few early flags justify moving sooner. Granule loss collecting in gutters after windstorms, surface cracking or cupping on south-facing slopes, and stubborn moss that returns within months after cleaning all signal age. Inside the attic, darkened sheathing, rusted nails, or a musty odor after heavy rain suggest poor ventilation or trapped moisture. Addressing the roof before water reaches the interior saves drywall, insulation, and flooring costs later.

What a Proper Estimate Should Include

A clean estimate in Seattle should specify the shingle brand and line, underlayment type, ice-and-water shield locations, flashing replacements, venting details, tear-off layers, and disposal. It should call out plywood replacement pricing per sheet. It should outline the workmanship warranty length and whether it transfers to a new owner. Vague quotes lead to change orders mid-project, and those rarely favor the homeowner.

Here is a short checklist to use when reviewing bids:

Shingle line, color, and wind rating clearly stated Underlayment and ice-and-water shield areas defined Ventilation plan with intake and exhaust explained Flashing details for chimneys, skylights, and sidewalls included Deck repair pricing per sheet and cleanup plan listed

How Atlas Roofing Services Prices 30-Year Shingle Roofs

Atlas Roofing Services bases estimates on exact roof measurements, a venting assessment, and a quick attic look where access exists. The team uses drone imagery where trees allow and will hand-measure if canopies block views. For most Seattle homes, Atlas provides two to three material options: a solid mid-range architectural shingle, an algae-resistant upgrade for shaded lots, and a heavier shingle for high-wind exposures near the Sound.

On average, Atlas projects for 30-year shingles in Seattle land between $550 and $780 per square, all-in, with clear allowances for plywood replacement. That includes new flashings, synthetic underlayment, ridge venting, and standard pipe boots. Crews maintain weather protection during tear-off, which matters in our climate. The workmanship warranty covers leak repairs caused by installation issues, and service calls are scheduled promptly, even in the rainy season.

Local Notes by Neighborhood

Shoreline and Edmonds homes near tall evergreens benefit from algae-resistant shingles and wider valleys. Magnolia and Alki Point properties with open exposure see stronger winds; higher wind-rated shingles and extra starter rows at eaves make sense there. Older homes in Columbia City and Phinney Ridge often have plank decking. Crews may add plywood overlay for a smoother shingle base. These local quirks shift the bid but pay back in fewer service calls and longer roof life.

Ready for Numbers Specific to Your Roof?

If the question is how much do shingles for roof cost in Seattle, the honest answer starts with a site visit. One roof can be $12,800 while a neighbor’s hits $20,000 due to slope, skylights, and venting corrections. Atlas Roofing Services offers fast, written estimates with clear scope and line-item pricing, so homeowners can compare apples to apples.

Homeowners across Seattle, Bellevue, and the Eastside can request a free assessment today. Atlas will measure, check ventilation, review materials on-site, and provide options that fit the budget and the home’s exposure. Call or book online to schedule an appointment, and get a dependable 30-year shingle roof priced right for Seattle’s weather.