All roofs have either a rafter or truss to maintain structural integrity. Historical and traditional homes typically use rafters, while modern homes use lightweight trusses. These structural frameworks bridge the space above a room and support the roof.
Trusses can last for years when installed correctly, but a severe storm or roof leak sometimes requires you to replace them. We’ve detailed what a roof truss does and the factors that affect replacement costs below.
What Is a Roof Truss?
A roof truss is a structure that uses one or more triangular units. Each triangle has two top chords, a bottom chord, and webbing that connects it all at the ends by joints. The chords are the triangle shape’s three sides (or perimeter elements).
Most standard roofs use timber roof trusses, which can be engineered to support heavier loads from solar panels or HVAC systems. Timber roof trusses are often prefabricated, making them easy to install. Steel roof trusses are primarily used in commercial buildings, but certain residential homes may require them. We recommend consulting a professional roofing company to determine what roof trusses your home needs.
Roof Truss Cost
Roof truss installation costs $3.50 to $9.25 per square foot for the material plus $27 to $52 per hour for labor. Labor costs are typically higher in urban areas, where the cost of living is higher. A contractor may also charge disposal fees, depending on local legislation.
Based on these ranges, we calculated that a new set of roof trusses for a 2,000-square-foot home would cost $7,400 to $21,000. The type, material, and size of trusses you need can significantly increase or decrease the price.
The number of trusses your roof needs depends on the roof’s length. You can divide your roof’s length by two to get an approximate number of required trusses, but we recommend contacting a pro for a more accurate estimate.
*Cost figures based on 2023 reports from Home Guide, Angi, and The Pricer.
Cost by Truss Size
Roof truss prices depend on roof size. The more materials required, the more expensive the project will be. Larger roofs cost more than smaller ones, and steep roofs require more materials than sloped or flat roofs. Add about 25% to your total for gable or end trusses.
- 20-foot span: $58 to $165
- 30-foot span: $83 to $233
- 40-foot span: $170 to $363
- 50-foot span: $188 to $508
Cost by Truss Material
Roof trusses come in either wood or steel. Below is a quick overview of each material’s average cost and performance.
- Wood trusses ($60 to $500 per truss): Most residential homes use wood roof trusses. Some homeowners use wood trusses as a decorative feature in addition to structural support. Wood trusses are more affordable than steel trusses, but wood is more vulnerable to the elements.
- Steel trusses ($150 to $700 per truss): Steel trusses are most common in commercial buildings because they’re pricier and have a higher weight capacity. Steel trusses may also be used for garages, pole barns, metal roofs, and steel residential building kits.
Cost by Truss Type
Manufacturers design roof trusses based on where a roofer must install them. Gable trusses, sometimes called common trusses, are the most popular. You can also find attic trusses, scissor trusses, and hip trusses. We recommend consulting a professional before deciding which type to install, as they can assess your home’s needs and provide you with an accurate estimate.
Here’s an overview of the types of roof trusses and their average costs:
- Attic truss ($100 to $400): These trusses provide more attic space by using webbing on the top and each side of the truss.
- Cathedral truss ($250 to $550): If you have cathedral-style, vaulted ceilings that require more clearance, you need this truss type.
- Fink truss ($120 to $260): These trusses use multiple diagonal beams from top to bottom.
- Flat truss ($75 to $250): These trusses are ideal for flat roofs. They have a shallow slope to compensate for sagging and allow proper drainage.
- Gable truss ($80 to $800): These trusses are the most common type. They act as the roof’s end caps and have one bottom chord, two top chords, and multiple vertical posts.
- Gambrel truss ($100 to $660): These trusses have two slopes on either side of the peak.
- King post truss ($60 to $160): This simple truss uses a central vertical post and several beams.
- Half truss: ($60–$450): Half trusses, also called half-hip trusses, have a pitch on only one side.
- Raised heel truss ($70–$580): A raised-heel truss is raised a bit higher than a standard truss and features a “heel” that extends up from the top of the wall and elevates the truss at the building’s edges.
- Scissor truss ($120–$500): Scissor trusses use sloped bottom chords, making them ideal for sloped roofs.
Other Factors That Influence Roof Truss Cost
Consider these additional factors when determining your total truss replacement cost.
Equipment
Roof truss installation requires heavy equipment. A roofer may use a crane to lift and position the truss onto your home’s frame, depending on your truss size and home’s layout. If your house is exceptionally tall, a roofing company may require you to rent scaffolding to reach the necessary height.
Equipment costs vary depending on location and what equipment is available to rent. Some companies charge hourly rates, while others charge per project. A crane typically costs $200 to $700 per day, and scaffolding costs $15 to $50 per day. If a roofer already owns the required equipment, they may not charge extra for its use.
Roof Pitch
Your roof’s pitch is the number of inches it rises vertically for every foot it extends horizontally. The larger and steeper your roof, the more you’ll spend on truss installation. This is because steep roofs are more complex and dangerous to work on. They also require more beams or boards to account for the pitch. Ask a professional roofer how your roof design might influence truss replacement costs.
Spacing
Most roof trusses are installed with two-foot spacing, meaning each beam or rod is placed two feet from the previous one. However, a roofing contractor may recommend spacing your truss rods 16 inches apart if your home needs extra stability. This means more labor, trusses, and materials. Increasing the spacing interval raises the cost by 20% to 30% on average.
Waste Removal
Disposal fees for truss installation on new construction homes can cost an additional $100 to $200. Waste removal fees for truss replacement on an existing home costs $4 to $5 per square foot. Disposal fees will be especially high if you require a total roof replacement. Discuss these charges with your roofer beforehand, as pros often lump these sums into the full quote.
Weight Load
Depending on your roof’s typical weight load, you may have to pay for additional or sturdier trusses. Roof trusses support the weight of your other roofing materials, including insulation. They must also support debris that lands on the roof, such as snow. You’ll need a bulkier truss design if you live in an area with high snowfall. Accounting for high snow volumes or heavy debris increases the total cost of roof truss installation by roughly 25%.
Contact a Professional
Roof truss installation is complicated and requires specialized knowledge and equipment. We don’t recommend attempting do-it-yourself (DIY) truss replacement. Use our tool below to find professional roofing contractors in your area to assist with truss repair and replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roof Truss Cost
When to Consider a Broader Home Inspection
When purchasing or selling a home, it is critical to complete a thorough inspection to understand the condition of the property. A standard home inspection includes assessing a home’s systems and physical structure. After the process, the inspector will provide a report detailing their findings and recommendations.
If you are considering buying a home or putting your home on the market, we strongly recommend finding an ASHI home inspector in your area.