The average cost to replace a roof in Montreal is roughly $8,000 to $20,000 before taxes for asphalt shingles on a typical house, or about $6 to $12 per sq ft installed. Steel roofs run roughly $13 to $30 per sq ft. Final prices vary with size, slope, access and condition, and GST plus QST (14.975%) are added on top.
If your shingles are curling, granules are piling up in the gutters or you’ve had a second leak in two winters, you’re probably wondering what a full replacement is going to cost. It’s a fair question, and the honest answer is that it depends — but not in a vague way. A handful of very specific factors move the price up or down, and once you understand them, the quotes you receive start to make a lot more sense.
Below, we walk through realistic price ranges for the Montreal area, what pushes a job to the high end, and how to read a quote so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
The average cost to replace a roof in Montreal
For a typical single-family house or plex with asphalt shingles, many Montreal homeowners pay roughly $8,000 to $20,000 before taxes. Broken down by area, that’s often around $6 to $12 per square foot installed. That range varies with the size of the roof, its slope, how easy it is to access and the condition of what’s underneath.
If you’re considering steel or another metal roof, expect roughly double the upfront price of shingles — often around $13 to $30 per square foot. The trade-off is longevity: a well-installed metal roof typically lasts far longer than shingles.
| Roofing type | Rough installed price | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| 3-tab asphalt shingles | Around $6 to $12 per sq ft | About 15–20 years |
| Architectural shingles | Around $6 to $12 per sq ft (often toward the upper end) | About 25–30 years |
| Steel / metal | Around $13 to $30 per sq ft | 40–60+ years |
All of these are rough figures before taxes. Lifespans are typical and depend heavily on climate, ventilation and installation quality.
What drives the price up or down
Two houses on the same street can get very different quotes. Here’s why.
Size and shape
More square footage means more material and more labour, but shape matters too. A simple gable roof goes quickly. A roof with dormers, valleys, skylights and several chimneys takes far more cutting, flashing and time.
Slope and access
A steep roof requires extra safety equipment and slower work. Access is a big factor in Montreal: say you own a duplex in Rosemont with a narrow lane and no room for a dumpster. The crew may need to carry debris by hand or arrange a permit to occupy the street, and that shows up on the bill.
What’s under the shingles
Nobody knows the condition of the roof deck until the old shingles come off. If plywood or boards are rotten from an old leak, they need to be replaced. A good contractor will explain upfront how they price this — usually per sheet — so there are no surprises.
Number of layers to remove
Some older homes have two layers of shingles. Tearing off more material means more labour and more disposal fees.
Season and urgency
Emergency, winter or after-hours work generally costs more. If your roof is ageing but not leaking, planning the job for a regular season usually gets you better pricing and more choice of contractors.
Don’t forget the taxes
Most quotes are written before taxes. In Quebec, GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) — 14.975% in total — are usually added on top. On a five-figure roofing job, that’s a significant amount, so factor it into your budget from the start. When you compare quotes, make sure you’re comparing them on the same basis: all before taxes or all after.
What a complete quote should include
A low number means nothing if half the work is missing. A detailed written quote should spell out:
- Removal and disposal of the old roofing, including the number of layers
- The brand and line of shingles or metal panels
- Underlayment, ice and water membrane in valleys and at the eaves
- New flashing around chimneys, walls and plumbing vents
- Ventilation work (roof vents, ridge vent, soffit openings)
- The price per sheet for any deck replacement
- Who handles the municipal or borough permit, if one is required
- Start date, expected duration and payment schedule
- Warranty details for both materials and workmanship
How to protect yourself when you hire
In Quebec, any roofing contractor must hold a licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) with the right subclass. You can verify it in a few minutes with the RBQ’s online licence search. RBQ licence holders must also provide a security bond that may compensate clients in some situations — another reason never to hire someone without a licence.
It’s also worth checking the merchant’s record with the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC). And if a contractor knocks on your door and you sign a contract at home, the Consumer Protection Act generally gives you 10 days to cancel.
Above all, comparing quotes from several licensed contractors is the best protection you have. It shows you what a fair price looks like for your specific roof and makes outliers — too high or suspiciously low — easy to spot.
Is cheaper ever better?
Not usually. A quote that’s far below the others often skips ventilation, reuses old flashing or leaves out the ice and water membrane. Those shortcuts don’t show on day one, but they can cut years off your new roof’s life. Under the Civil Code of Québec, the contractor is liable for five years for loss of the work due to construction defects, but that protection is only useful if the contractor is still in business and properly licensed.
That said, the most expensive quote isn’t automatically the best either. Look for the one that’s clearest, most complete and comes from a contractor who answers your questions without pressure.
Bottom line
The average cost to replace a roof in Montreal is roughly $8,000 to $20,000 before taxes for asphalt shingles on a typical home, with metal costing roughly double upfront. Your final price depends on size, slope, access, the condition of the deck and timing. Add 14.975% for taxes, verify the RBQ licence, and get written, detailed quotes from more than one contractor. Permit rules vary by municipality and borough, so confirm those locally before work begins.
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Request my quotes →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Montreal?
It depends on your borough or municipality, since each sets its own rules. Some require a permit for a like-for-like replacement and others don’t, so check locally or ask your contractor to confirm.
Can I put new shingles over the old ones to save money?
Some contractors offer it, but most recommend a full tear-off so they can inspect the deck and install a proper membrane. Adding a layer can hide damage and may shorten the new roof’s life.
How long does a roof replacement take?
A typical house is often done in one to a few days, depending on size, complexity, weather and how much deck repair is needed. Your quote should include an expected duration.
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Estimations.pro is a referral service and does not perform the work. Prices are indicative only and vary with the size, slope, access and condition of your roof. Requirements (RBQ licence, municipal permits, programs) can change: check with the relevant organizations and get detailed written quotes.