You can expect to pay an average of $300, although it may be as little as $200 or as much as $700 for roof snow removal costs.
You have plans for keeping your driveway and sidewalks cleared of snow this winter, but what about your roof? It is the one snow removal task that you can’t DIY, so plan ahead this season for roof snow removal costs. You can expect to pay an average of $300, although it may be as little as $150 or as much as $1,000 for roof snow removal costs.
Ready to get the snow removed from your roof? Here are the major cost factors you should know about.
You can get an idea of your roof snow removal costs by checking the average costs based on your home’s square footage. You can expect to pay between $150 to $1,000.
| House Size (Square Feet) | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 1,500 | $150–$300 |
| 2,000 | $200–$400 |
| 2,500 | $250–$500 |
| 3,000 | $350–$600 |
| 3,500 | $450–$700 |
Consistent snow removal from your roof is important to keep it in good shape throughout the winter months. The more snow you allow to pile up on your roof, the more costly its removal will be. Below are cost ranges for various depths of snow buildup:
| Snow Depth (Inches) | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Up to 12 | $250–$350 |
| 18 | $300–$400 |
| 24 | $250–$500 |
Whether your house has one or two or more stories will affect the price, as well as your roof pitch. You can expect to pay more for multiple stories and roofs with steep pitches greater than 9/12 than a single-story home with a standard roof pitch between 4/12 and 8/12.
If a roof has a pitch of 9/12, it means that your roof increases in height by nine inches for every foot. To find your roof pitch, check your roofing paperwork.
| House Type | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| One story, standard roof | $200–$500 |
| Two-story, large steep roof | $1,000–$2,000 |
The cost of roof snow removal consists entirely of labor costs. But there are some important things to note about labor.
Most roof snow removal companies charge by the hour or by the half-hour with a minimum charge of $40 to $100. The hourly charge is $50 to $100 per hour, or $50 for a 30-minute session. Some companies require a $50 to $100 deposit when making the appointment. Other pricing models include charging per visit, which can be a flat fee that ranges between $150 to $1,700.
Remember that rates will vary depending on your location, so talk to a local snow removal company to get the most accurate estimate.
The amount of snow your roof can handle before a potential collapse depends on your roof’s specifications. Generally, roofs can withstand 20 pounds per cubic foot of snow. This equates to around four feet of fresh snow accumulation, two feet of packed snow, or one inch of ice.
Knowing when to remove snow from your roof is key to avoiding issues, and it is not advisable to push the weight limits of your roof. A general rule of thumb is to clear your roof every time you reach half of the roof’s capacity. So, for example, do not wait until your roof has four feet of fresh snow accumulation, but rather, call a company to clear it once you have two feet of accumulation.
While it's beautiful to look at, allowing too much snow to build up on your roof can put your home at risk and make clearing it more difficult. Call a snow removal pro who can clear it for you safely.
The two main methods of snow removal are roof raking and shoveling. Roof raking is the DIY route, since you can do it without climbing on the roof or using ladders. Shoveling is what professional snow removal companies will almost always do, climbing on top of a home to remove snow from the roof.
Shoveling is the best way to clear snow and to prevent ice dams and roof collapse. It is also the only way to take care of 100% of the snow accumulation on a roof. This is because roof raking, while a manageable DIY job for many people, usually only takes care of the first five to six feet of snow from the roof’s edge. Roof raking is worthwhile because it can help alleviate some of the snow’s weight off your roof, and it may prevent ice dams. However, it is only a partial solution.
You can expect roof shoveling costs to range between $250 to $500 on average, while the one-time investment of a roof rake costs $50 to $120.
Here are common add-ons to roof removal services that you may run into.
If your gutters are iced over, it is important to take care of them as soon as possible. Even though you may have gotten your roof cleared of snow, gutters filled with ice means that future rain or melted snow will not drain properly. This can cause issues with your gutter system and eventual leaks in your home.
Get your icy gutters cleaned for $100 to $400 an hour.
A roof snow removal company may alert you to an ice dam on your roof after they finish the job. Not all roof snow removal companies deal with ice dams, so you may have to hire a professional ice dam removal company to tackle it.
Since the consequences of ice dams can lead to high repair costs, it is a good idea to take care of them right away. Ice dam removal costs $1,200 on average.
Installing heat cables on the roof can help melt snow and allow the water to drain into the gutters, preventing ice dams. Roof heat cables cost between $1 and $6 per linear foot and between $12 and $20 per linear foot for installation.
An ice shield is installed between the roof deck and the roofing material to provide an added layer of protection against damage from ice and water. In the event that the roofing material is damaged or allows water to seep through, an ice and water shield will keep the roof deck dry and prevent damage from moisture. Installing an ice shield costs between $4 and $5.50 per square foot, including installation, and should be done during the initial roof installation.
Heated gutters require installing heat tape or heat cables in the bottom of the gutter and through the downspouts. Heat cables can be self-regulating, constant wattage, or installed with a timer.
Another heated gutter option is heated gutter guards or gutter helmets. This heated gutter design is more involved than simply installing heat tape because a gutter guard will need to be installed on the top of the gutter. Gutter guard materials cost between $1 and $10 per linear foot, plus the cost of installation.
DIYing maintenance jobs can help you save a lot of money in the long run, but shoveling snow off a roof is one of those tasks that you need to hand over to a pro. You should avoid getting on a snowy roof because it can be dangerous. You might seriously injure yourself and potentially put yourself in a life-threatening situation.
So, while you will not be able to shovel the snow off your own roof, there are some tips to remove snow from your roof. For one, you can use a roof rake to help keep the snow load to a minimum. Since you use a roof rake with both feet on the ground, it is a fairly safe task, as long as you take the right safety precautions. And if your roof is low to the ground, you may be able to use a rope to pull down snow from your roof.
However, when it comes time to deal with all of the snow on your roof, there is no better way than to hire a professional roof cleaning company near you.
One way you can potentially save money on roof snow removal is by finding a company that offers an annual contract. This is best if you live in an area with extended heavy snowfall. Most likely, you will have to find one company for roof snow removal needs and a separate one for the other areas around your home, including driveway, walkways, and sidewalk.
Another way to save money is by getting quotes from at least three reputable companies. Check the fine print to see what they do and do not include in their services before making a final decision.
Also, some companies charge more for last-minute requests. To avoid calling someone for emergency roof snow removal, keep a close eye on the snow accumulation and make an appointment a week or two ahead of time.
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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You may be wondering if you really need the snow removed from your roof. Since most roofs can only handle 20 pounds per square foot of snow accumulation, there is a tipping point when you are suddenly at risk of roof collapse. This can cause a lot of damage, not just to your home, but to your belongings, too. It also poses a physical danger to your family. Also, a lot of snow on a roof makes it more susceptible to ice dams, leaks, and water damage.
It is a bad idea to try to walk on a roof with snow on it. In fact, you should stay off your roof all year long, even when it is dry and sunny outside. There are too many things that can go wrong, and one misstep can cause serious injury or even death.
Rather, if you need to get something done on your roof, call in a pro. They have the right experience and know-how to get things done safely on a snowy roof, including snow removal.
Maybe you waited a little longer than you should have before dealing with the snow accumulation on your roof, and now you are wondering if there is risk of roof collapse. Here are some signs you should look out for: a sagging roof, cracking and cracking sounds, cracks in walls, and leaks in your attic and ceiling.
If you suspect potential roof collapse, do not delay. Take immediate action. Call a professional roofing company and get an inspection. You may want to move your belongings to a safe place and relocate your family until everything has been taken care of.
