How Much Does It Cost to Replace Roof Vent Boots [2024 Data]
Normal range: $250 - $600
The cost to replace roof vent boots averages around $400
, and most homeowners pay somewhere between $250
and $600
, depending on the size and location of the vent and the roof material around it.
The cost to replace a roof vent boot averages around $400
, but you could see prices ranging anywhere from $150
up to $1,200
, depending mostly on the location of the boot and the roofing material on your home.
In this guide, we’ll explain the factors that affect the cost to replace a roof vent boot to help you get an idea of what your project total will be.
Size of Roof Vent Boot
The size of the roof vent boot you need will play a small role in your material costs but a much larger role in the labor costs. A roof vent boot with a larger flange will require your professional to cut out or temporarily remove a larger portion of the roofing material around the vent and then reinstall it after the job is done. The larger the flange, the more roofing material your expert will need to remove and replace.
In most cases, you can expect your replacement cost to sit between $4 and $11 per square foot, but prices can climb up to around $30 per square foot if you need to replace more expensive roofing materials.
Roofer Costs
Replacing a roof vent boot is a labor-intensive project, so you can expect around 90% of the total to go toward labor, meaning an average of $360. Labor costs can climb significantly from there if you need roof deck repairs or if you have a particularly steep roof that makes access more challenging and dangerous.
Cost by Location
Labor costs to replace roof vent boots will vary based on location, with areas that have a higher cost of living often carrying slightly higher costs for the replacement. In addition to differences between states, you’ll also tend to see slightly higher prices to replace roof vent boots in major metropolitan areas that tend to have higher living costs.
State | Roof Vent Boot Replacement Cost |
---|---|
California | $580 |
Florida | $410 |
Georgia | $370 |
Illinois | $370 |
Michigan | $370 |
New York | $490 |
North Carolina | $390 |
Ohio | $380 |
Pennsylvania | $382 |
Texas | $370 |
Additional Cost Factors
There are some additional things you should consider if you want to get the most accurate estimate possible for your roof vent boot replacement.
Accessibility
The slope of your roof can affect how easy it is to access the roof vent for replacement. Steep roofs require more safety equipment and caution, which can make the job take longer and cost you more in labor.
Additionally, accessing the roof on the first floor is easier than on the second floor or higher, and working on the upper floors will often require additional safety equipment. As such, you will likely pay more to replace a boot on a second-floor roof than you would on a first-floor roof.
Roof Material
A portion of the cost to replace a roof vent boot will go toward removing and replacing the roofing material around the old boot. Depending on the condition of the roofing your contractor needs to work with, you might need to pay to replace a few square feet, in which case the cost will depend on the material. Asphalt shingles tend to be the most affordable to replace, while something like clay tiles, slate shingles, or high-end metal roofs can cost many times more per square foot.
Material
Roof vent boots come in a few different material options that can affect how the finished work looks from the street. All vent boots have rubber rings that prevent water from getting under the boot, but the base can consist of steel, plastic, or another metal, like copper or lead. Your material cost can vary based on which option you choose.
Material | Vent Boot Cost |
---|---|
Copper | $30–$50 |
Lead | $25–$35 |
Plastic | $10–$25 |
Steel | $20–$40 |
Repairs
Another area where you could see a major increase in your replacement cost is for repairs. If you’re replacing a roof vent boot proactively, you might not need to pay for any further repairs, but if your old one was leaking, your professional might find water damage and mold growth on your roof decking and possibly even the building materials below.
Repairs could add anywhere from $100 to $1,000 or more to your total replacement cost, with higher costs often pertaining to ongoing or major leaks.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Replace a Roof Vent Boot
Since most of the cost to replace roof vent boots goes toward labor, you could save an average of around $360 by doing the work yourself, which accounts for around 90% of the total. While the job is relatively straightforward in some cases, we strongly recommend hiring a local roofer to get the job done properly.
Not only is working on your roof dangerous, but making mistakes during the installation can lead to major property damage, including water damage, mold growth, reduced home efficiency, and an increased risk of mold growth and pest infestation. It’s easy to make even minor mistakes during the installation, and since the average price to hire a pro sits at just $400
, it’s well worth the small investment to hire an expert.
Additionally, a professional will be able to assess and correct any damage to your roof decking or other building materials while they’re on-site, so hiring a pro is especially worthwhile if you’ve had issues with leaking roof vents in the past.
Roof Vent Boot Replacement vs. Repair
It’s possible to repair a roof vent boot, often using rubber sleeves that slide over the existing one to create a new seal against the vent pipe. You can pick these up at your local home improvement store for around $25 and slide them on yourself if it’s safe to access the roof vent.
Unfortunately, these repair pieces aren’t permanent solutions to a leaking roof vent, so you should only use them in emergency situations when you can’t get a professional out right away. Given the relatively low cost of hiring a pro for a full replacement, we strongly recommend this option over a temporary repair that you’ll eventually need to replace anyway.
How to Save Money on Roof Vent Boot Replacement
Replacing a roof vent boot is usually pretty affordable, but there are a few things you can do to help keep costs down.
Choose a more affordable material. There are a few different roof vent boot materials you can choose, all at different price points, so consider a more affordable option to bring costs down. We do recommend speaking with a professional before choosing to make sure the material you pick is suitable for your roof type and climate.
Use temporary solutions to avoid an emergency roof repair. Calling for emergency roof repairs can add hundreds to your repair bill, so consider using a roof vent boot repair sleeve on a temporary basis until you can schedule a regular replacement service. Just make sure to keep a close eye on the leak to make sure it doesn’t worsen.
Hire a professional. With labor accounting for 90% of the cost to replace roof vent boots, it’s tempting to tackle the work yourself to save. Unfortunately, it’s easy to make mistakes, and mistakes on your roof can quickly lead to leaks and property damage that end up costing you more than you’d save. Hire a pro to avoid ongoing leaking.
Does Replacing a Roof Vent Boot Increase Home Value?
Replacing a roof vent boot likely won’t increase your home value, as the pieces are minimally visible and don’t contribute nearly as much to your curb appeal as your roof, siding, and exterior doors and windows. However, an active roof leak is going to be a major concern for any buyer, so if your roof vent boot is leaking, a replacement can help avoid buyers being willing to pay less for your home.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Roof vent boots last for about as long as the roofing material above them, or an average of between 20 and 25 years, so you should replace them whenever you replace your roof. If you have a long-lasting metal, clay, or slate roof, consider replacing them every 20 years, even if you aren’t replacing the entire roof. Additionally, you should replace roof vent boots anytime you find an existing one leaking or visibly damaged.
The easiest way to tell if your roof vent boot is leaking is to look in your attic for signs of water damage. You might see visible moisture, water spots, or mold on the roof decking around the roof vent or damaged or soggy insulation below it. If you don’t have access to your attic or aren’t sure if the vent boot is the issue, hire a professional to come inspect your roof and figure out the underlying issue.
You can use silicone caulk around the upper lip of your roof vent boot to seal it temporarily, or you can slide a repair sleeve over the roof vent and old vent boot to stop air and water leaks temporarily. However, these aren’t permanent solutions, so you should always hire a professional to come out and replace the roof vent boot for a long-lasting fix and peace of mind.