How Much Does Roof Sheathing Cost? [2025 Data]

Type of Roof Sheathing

There are a few types of roof sheathing to choose from: solid, open, or plank. Solid sheathing is the most common choice because it provides a continuous layer without gaps. Plank is rare because it’s more labor-intensive and the material cost is higher. Open roof sheathing requires large tiles—commonly sheet metal—to cover the gaps in the sheathing.  

Roof Sheathing Material

There are two primary materials used when constructing solid roof sheathing: oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood. While they are hard to tell apart, OSB is more popular due to its lower cost and similar application. However, plywood is stronger than OSB, so if you have a particularly heavy roofing material, it’s the better choice. 

Size of Roof Sheathing 

The size of your roof significantly affects the total cost of installing sheathing. The table below can help you get a rough idea of what an installation costs. Prices vary, but roof sheathing often costs between $2 and $6 per square foot.

Roofing Professional Cost

A local roofing professional will cost between $30 and $90 per hour to perform the work. If they charge a project-based fee, it’s often between 20% and 50% depending on whether special equipment is required or if your roof has difficult access. These pros work day in and day out on roofs specifically, so we consider them a better option than general contractors if you’re only performing roof work.

General Contractor Cost

General contractors will give a roofing estimate at the same price ballpark as a roofing professional or even slightly less. But unless you’re bundling other work into a roof sheath install, go with the roofing pro. There are other ways contractors price their work but they often charge for time and materials or as a percentage, called lump-sum contracts. 

Cost by Location

Roof sheathing costs vary significantly across the nation as transportation fees, local labor markets, and ease of working access all influence the total project cost. Cities like San Francisco and New York are some of the most expensive building markets while markets like the Midwest are less expensive. Areas close to wood mills, like the Pacific Northwest and deep South, may have lower costs as transport fees are low due to their proximity to the forests and factories. 

Additional Cost Factors

Demolition and Prep 

Demolition work costs between $25 and $80 per worker per hour, while prep work requires roofing expertise which drives the cost up to $35 to $110 per worker per hour. 

Permits 

In most cases, you need a permit to install sheathing because it’s a fairly substantial project that supports an integral part of your house (the roof). Expect to pay between $400 and $1,500 for the cost of a permit. 

Repairs 

Roof repairs are expensive and sheathing is no exception. It can actually be fairly expensive to repair sheathing as it’s sandwiched between roofing layers, so you’ll need to remove the top roofing material to have access. While normal repairs cost an average of around $1,200, expect sheathing repairs (if the roof is already installed) to cost a bit more. 

DIY Roof Sheathing vs. Hiring a Pro 

The weight of roof sheathing sheets combined with the inherently dangerous environment of roof work means that while tempting, you shouldn’t perform this work yourself. The labor cost savings aren’t worth the potential for injury and since the sheets are heavy enough on their own—let alone getting them in place—you can’t fully DIY the job without help. 

However, there are some aspects of the job you may be able to DIY, including:

• Cutting sheets

• Helping to raise sheets to the workers on the roof

• Doing disposal work 

Roof Sheathing Replacement vs. Repair

Roof sheathing is unique in that it’s underneath your roofing material. It’s only in very rare cases that sections of the roof are removed just to access the sheathing and in most cases, the sheathing itself is protected from physical damage from the roofing itself. If there is damage to the sheathing, it likely damages all of it in the form of water damage. 

So, when it comes to deciding whether to replace or repair, it often makes sense to replace the entire roof sheathing. Repair options commonly exceed the 50% rule of repairs which states that if a repair costs more than 50% of the project cost, you're better off just replacing it.

Tips to Reduce Cost While Installing Roof Sheathing 

Both plywood and OSB boards are cost-effective materials and labor isn’t something that you can negotiate much, so there aren't many ways to reduce cost with this project. As we mentioned before, you can help with some of the more physical aspects but it's better to stay off the roof and let the professionals work. The best way to reduce cost is to perform regular inspections so no large issues grow over time which end up costing far more in the end. Even if some parts of the roof aren’t expensive, the labor most certainly will be. 

Does Roof Sheathing Increase Home Value?

Roof sheathing isn't something a buyer sees and if your roof is in good condition it's probably because there's solid sheathing underneath. When considering the effect on home value it's more about how not having sheathing will severely drop the value of the home more than the presence of it will raise its value. If the shooting is new that may result in an increased return on investment but at most, you can expect to see a 50% recoup of the cost. An alternative gain is in the form of increased energy efficiency.

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. 

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