A new roof in Wisconsin typically costs about $10,000 to $16,000 for 2,000 sq ft of roof in architectural asphalt shingles, based on our 2026 baseline of $5 to $8 per sq ft installed. This Old House’s Wisconsin average is lower, $7,043, but our arithmetic shows it is priced on only about 1,158 sq ft of roof. Wisconsin quotes move on drivers specific to the state: its own Uniform Dwelling Code rather than the IRC, a city-by-city permit split between Milwaukee and Madison, sales tax on materials that reaches 7.9% in the City of Milwaukee, border metros that share Minneapolis and Duluth wage pools, and a hail season concentrated in April to July.
This page is the Wisconsin-specific breakdown. For national ranges by material and size, start with our roof replacement cost guide. For how large metros compare nationally, see roof replacement cost by metro.
By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Key numbers at a glance
These are the Wisconsin figures most homeowners come looking for, each tied to a named source. They are typical ranges and rules, not quotes: roof area, pitch, layers to remove, material and your municipality decide where a specific house lands.
| Measure | Wisconsin figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin average roof replacement | $7,043; range $5,466 (asphalt) to $17,887 (slate), priced on about 1,158 sq ft of roof | This Old House, Wisconsin, updated June 12, 2026; roof area is our back-calculation |
| Architectural asphalt, 2,000 sq ft of roof | About $10,000 to $16,000 ($5 to $8 per sq ft installed) | The Roofing Brief 2026 roofing cost report baseline |
| Standardized 30-square asphalt tear-off | Milwaukee $31,184; Madison $35,865; Green Bay, Appleton and Wausau $26,765 (U.S. $31,871) | Remodeling, Cost vs Value 2025 |
| Roofer median wage, Wisconsin vs U.S. | $28.54 vs $26.65 per hour (7.1% higher); mean $27.91 vs $27.95 | BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 47-2181 |
| Ice dam protection required by state code | Shingle or shake roofs over heated space with a slope of 4:12 or less; at least 30 in up the slope and 12 in past the inside of the wall | Wis. Admin. Code SPS 321.28(4) |
| Milwaukee permit for a 1 or 2 family reroof | Not required when the roof structure is not affected | City of Milwaukee DNS, Application for Re-roofing Permit |
| Hail 1 inch or larger, Wisconsin, 2016 to 2025 | 1,636 reports; 73.7% fell in April to July | NOAA Storm Events Database, our tabulation |
| Contractor paying your deductible | Prohibited; forfeiture of $500 to $1,000 per violation | Wis. Stat. 100.65(2) and (9) |
How much does a new roof cost in Wisconsin?
A new roof in Wisconsin usually runs about $9,400 to $16,000 for 2,000 sq ft of roof in asphalt shingles. The low end is This Old House’s Wisconsin rate of $4.72 per sq ft for basic asphalt, and the high end is the top of our $5 to $8 architectural baseline. Metal, slate, steep pitches, two-layer tear-offs and rotten decking push totals past $20,000.
This Old House’s headline $7,043 average is real, but it describes a small roof. Divide each of its Wisconsin material totals by its per-square-foot rate and every one returns about 1,158 sq ft: $5,466 divided by $4.72, $10,203 divided by $8.81 and $17,887 divided by $15.45 all land within one square foot of each other. That back-calculation is ours, not a number This Old House prints, and it explains why its average sits well below most Wisconsin contractor quotes.
Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs Value 2025 report prices a much bigger job: 30 squares (3,000 sq ft) of roof torn off to bare sheathing, with new underlayment, drip edge and flashing, priced by a cost-estimating service. That is why its Milwaukee figure, $31,184, is roughly three times the This Old House average. It works out to about $10.39 per sq ft, 2.2% below the report’s $31,871 national figure.
| Source | What it measures | Wisconsin figure | Per sq ft of roof |
|---|---|---|---|
| This Old House, Wisconsin (June 12, 2026) | Statewide average, all materials, on about 1,158 sq ft of roof (our back-calculation) | $7,043 average; $5,466 to $17,887 | $4.72 (asphalt) to $15.45 (slate) |
| The Roofing Brief 2026 cost report | National installed baseline used across this site | $10,000 to $16,000 for 2,000 sq ft, architectural | $5 to $8 architectural; $4 to $6 three-tab |
| Remodeling, Cost vs Value 2025, Milwaukee | Standardized 3,000 sq ft full tear-off, cost-estimator priced | $31,184 asphalt; $51,215 metal | About $10.39 asphalt; about $17.07 metal |
| Remodeling, Cost vs Value 2025, Madison | Same standardized job | $35,865 asphalt; $60,133 metal | About $11.96 asphalt; about $20.04 metal |
| Remodeling, Cost vs Value 2025, Green Bay | Same standardized job | $26,765 asphalt; $43,529 metal | About $8.92 asphalt; about $14.51 metal |
Use This Old House to sanity-check a small, simple roof, the baseline for a typical house, and Cost vs Value for a large, cut-up roof with a full specification. A Madison bid on a big hip roof that sits near the Cost vs Value figure is not, by itself, a sign of overcharging.
Roof replacement cost in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and other Wisconsin cities
Cost vs Value 2025 prices its standardized asphalt job at $35,865 in Madison, $31,184 in Milwaukee and $26,765 in Green Bay, Appleton and Wausau. Madison sits 34% above Green Bay and 12.5% above the national figure. Roofer wages explain little of that gap: the median in metro Madison ($29.24 an hour) is only 2.5% above metro Green Bay ($28.52), per BLS.
| Metro | Asphalt job cost (30 squares) | Metal job cost | Asphalt cost recouped at resale | Roofer median wage (May 2025) | Roofers employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee and Waukesha | $31,184 | $51,215 | 63.1% | $28.91/hr | 980 |
| Madison | $35,865 | $60,133 | 57.0% | $29.24/hr | 270 |
| Green Bay | $26,765 | $43,529 | 77.1% | $28.52/hr | 90 |
| Appleton | $26,765 | $43,529 | 77.4% | $29.75/hr | 120 |
| Wausau | $26,765 | $43,529 | 76.9% | Not published separately | Not published |
| Oshkosh and Neenah | Not in report | Not in report | Not in report | About $28.31/hr ($58,880/yr) | 80 |
| Racine and Mount Pleasant | Not in report | Not in report | Not in report | About $29.17/hr ($60,680/yr) | 70 |
| Janesville and Beloit | Not in report | Not in report | Not in report | About $30.44/hr ($63,310/yr) | 70 |
| Eau Claire | Not in report | Not in report | Not in report | $24.70/hr | 70 |
| Sheboygan | Not in report | Not in report | Not in report | About $28.00/hr ($58,230/yr) | 50 |
| Superior (Duluth wage area) | Not split out | Not split out | Not split out | $35.03/hr | 240 (whole metro) |
| Hudson and River Falls (Minneapolis wage area) | Not split out | Not split out | Not split out | $36.25/hr | 1,250 (whole metro) |
| Wisconsin statewide | Not published | Not published | Not published | $28.54/hr | 2,400 |
| East North Central region | $29,253 | $47,473 | 69.2% | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| U.S. national | $31,871 | $51,865 | 67.5% | $26.65/hr | Not applicable |
Sources: Remodeling (Journal of Light Construction), Cost vs Value 2025 city pages for Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton and Wausau, with East North Central and national figures; BLS OEWS May 2025 metropolitan and state estimates for roofers (SOC 47-2181). Hourly figures marked “about” are BLS annual medians divided by 2,080 hours. BLS does not publish separate roofer wages for La Crosse, Wausau or Kenosha in the May 2025 metro data we used. City names link to our scored lists of contractors in each metro, including Kenosha and La Crosse.
Two patterns stand out. Green Bay, Appleton and Wausau share an identical Cost vs Value job cost, so the report treats northeast and central Wisconsin as one cost market. And resale recovery runs the other way from price: the cheapest market for the job, Green Bay, recoups 77.1% of an asphalt roof’s cost at sale, while Madison, the most expensive, recoups 57.0%.
Wisconsin roof cost by material
Asphalt shingles are the cheapest mainstream roof in Wisconsin at $4.72 per sq ft in This Old House’s state data, or $5 to $8 per sq ft for architectural shingles at our baseline. Metal averages $8.81 per sq ft, wood $11.46, clay tile $15.37 and slate $15.45. Scaled to 2,000 sq ft of roof, that is about $9,440 for basic asphalt and about $17,620 for metal.
| Material | This Old House Wisconsin, per sq ft | This Old House total (about 1,158 sq ft) | Implied total, 2,000 sq ft of roof | Overlay allowed under SPS 321.28(6)? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | $4.72 | $5,466 | $9,440 | Yes, over one existing layer in sound condition |
| Architectural asphalt (site baseline) | $5 to $8 | Not split out | $10,000 to $16,000 | Yes, over one existing layer in sound condition |
| Metal | $8.81 | $10,203 | $17,620 | Depends on the existing roof and the panel maker’s instructions |
| Wood shingles or shakes | $11.46 | $13,268 | $22,920 | No overlay on an existing wood shake roof |
| Clay tile | $15.37 | $17,795 | $30,740 | No overlay on an existing clay or cement tile roof |
| Slate | $15.45 | $17,887 | $30,900 | No overlay on an existing slate roof |
Sources: This Old House, “Roof Replacement Cost in Wisconsin,” updated June 12, 2026; The Roofing Brief 2026 roofing cost report; Wis. Admin. Code SPS 321.28(6). The fourth column is our arithmetic, per-sq-ft rate times 2,000 sq ft, and assumes a walkable pitch with one layer to remove. Our metal roof cost guide breaks out standing seam and exposed-fastener panels.
Cost to replace a roof on a 1,500, 2,000 or 2,200 sq ft house in Wisconsin
House size is floor area, not roof area, so the same 2,200 sq ft home can need about $6,300 or about $22,900 of architectural shingles depending on whether it is a two-story or a ranch. A one-story house carries roughly 1.15 to 1.3 times its floor area in roof; a two-story house carries about half that. This Old House’s Wisconsin table runs from $7,359 for a 1,000 sq ft one-story home to $11,708 for a 3,000 sq ft two-story home.
| House size and stories | Rough roof area (our estimate) | Architectural asphalt at $5 to $8 per sq ft | This Old House Wisconsin figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft, one story | 1,725 to 1,950 sq ft | $8,625 to $15,600 | $8,916 |
| 1,600 sq ft, one story | 1,840 to 2,080 sq ft | $9,200 to $16,640 | Not listed |
| 1,800 sq ft, one story | 2,070 to 2,340 sq ft | $10,350 to $18,720 | Not listed |
| 2,000 sq ft, one story | 2,300 to 2,600 sq ft | $11,500 to $20,800 | Not listed |
| 2,000 sq ft, two story | 1,150 to 1,300 sq ft | $5,750 to $10,400 | $9,091 |
| 2,200 sq ft, one story | 2,530 to 2,860 sq ft | $12,650 to $22,880 | Not listed |
| 2,200 sq ft, two story | 1,265 to 1,430 sq ft | $6,325 to $11,440 | Not listed |
| 3,000 sq ft, two story | 1,725 to 1,950 sq ft | $8,625 to $15,600 | $11,708 |
The roof-area column is a Roofing Brief estimate: footprint times 1.15 to 1.3 to allow for overhangs and a moderate pitch (a 6:12 slope alone adds about 12%), with a two-story footprint taken as half the floor area. This Old House says it modeled a 6:12 pitch with one-foot overhangs. Steep or cut-up roofs can exceed the top of the range. Our 1,000 sq ft roof cost, 1,200 sq ft roof cost and 3,000 sq ft roof cost guides show how to convert footprint and pitch into roof squares.
Why Wisconsin roofing labor costs about the U.S. average, except on the borders
Wisconsin’s roofer wages sit close to the national norm. The median Wisconsin roofer earned $28.54 an hour in May 2025, 7.1% above the U.S. median of $26.65, while the mean of $27.91 was essentially level with the U.S. mean of $27.95, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Wisconsin employed about 2,400 roofers, against much higher pay next door in Minnesota and Illinois.
| State | Roofer median hourly (May 2025) | Median vs U.S. | This Old House asphalt, per sq ft | Hail reports 1 in or larger, 2016 to 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $28.54 | 7.1% higher | $4.72 | 1,636 |
| Minnesota | $35.81 | 34.4% higher | $5.24 | 3,021 |
| Illinois | $37.45 | 40.5% higher | $4.70 | 2,210 |
| Michigan | $28.62 | 7.4% higher | $4.55 | 592 |
| Iowa | $23.39 | 12.2% lower | $4.65 | 2,638 |
| United States | $26.65 | Reference | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Sources: BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 47-2181 (Roofers), state and national estimates; This Old House’s Wisconsin page, which lists the neighboring-state asphalt rates; NOAA Storm Events Database detail files, 2016 to 2025, our count of hail events of 1.00 inch or larger after removing duplicate rows. Report counts track population and spotter density as well as hail, so treat the last column as a rough signal. Wisconsin’s annual median was $59,370, and our roofer salary by state report ranks every state.
Labor typically makes up roughly 50% to 60% of a roof replacement bill, per Angi’s roof cost guides. Applied to wage gaps, that gives a rough upper bound on how much labor alone can move a Wisconsin quote. The border metros are where it matters: Hudson and River Falls sit in the Minneapolis wage area, and Superior sits in the Duluth wage area, both far above any Wisconsin-only metro. For labor-only pricing, see roofing labor cost per square.
| Comparison | Median wage gap | Labor share assumed | Implied effect on total job cost (upper bound) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin vs U.S. | +7.1% ($28.54 vs $26.65) | 50% to 60% | +3.6% to +4.3% |
| Madison vs Green Bay | +2.5% ($29.24 vs $28.52) | 50% to 60% | +1.3% to +1.5% |
| Eau Claire vs Milwaukee | minus 14.6% ($24.70 vs $28.91) | 50% to 60% | minus 7.3% to minus 8.8% |
| Superior (Duluth wage area) vs Wisconsin median | +22.7% ($35.03 vs $28.54) | 50% to 60% | +11.4% to +13.6% |
| Hudson (Minneapolis wage area) vs Eau Claire | +46.8% ($36.25 vs $24.70) | 50% to 60% | +23.4% to +28.1% |
This is Roofing Brief arithmetic: wage gap times labor share. Crews travel, bid across metro lines and carry overhead that does not scale with wages, so real quote gaps are usually smaller. The Madison row also shows the limit of the method: Cost vs Value puts Madison 34% above Green Bay, far more than a 2.5% wage gap can explain, so materials, overhead and market conditions do most of that work.
What changes the price of a roof in Wisconsin
Beyond size and material, a Wisconsin roof price moves on state-specific rules: the Uniform Dwelling Code’s ice dam, layering and fastener provisions, whether your city requires a reroof permit, sales tax on the contractor’s materials, the border wage pools and the timing of hail season. The table maps each driver to its effect and the source to check.
| Driver | Effect on a Wisconsin quote | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Low-slope eaves (4:12 or less) over heated space | Code requires ice dam protection at least 30 in up the slope and 12 in past the inside of the wall, adding membrane or metal and labor | Wis. Admin. Code SPS 321.28(4) |
| Two existing layers, or a wood shake, slate, clay or cement tile roof | Overlay is barred, so the bid must include full tear-off and disposal | SPS 321.28(6) |
| Rotted or soft decking found at tear-off | Replacement at about $2 to $5 per sq ft installed, often written as a per-sheet change order | HomeGuide decking cost data |
| Municipality | Milwaukee: no permit for a 1 or 2 family reroof that leaves the structure alone. Madison: reroof permit required | City of Milwaukee DNS form; City of Madison permit chart |
| Sales tax on materials | Contractor pays 5% to 7.9% on taxable materials depending on location, built into the price | Wisconsin DOR Publication 207 and rate chart |
| Border wage areas (Hudson, River Falls, Superior) | Labor pools with medians of $35 to $36 an hour can lift quotes | BLS OEWS May 2025 |
| Hail season (April to July) | Storm-claim demand fills crew calendars; booking outside the rush can be easier | NOAA Storm Events, our tabulation |
| Historic districts and design review areas (Milwaukee’s form names the Third Ward and East North Avenue) | Separate approvals regardless of permit exemptions; material choices can be limited | City of Milwaukee DNS form, note (d) |
The Uniform Dwelling Code, not the IRC
Wisconsin regulates one- and two-family homes through its own Uniform Dwelling Code, Wis. Admin. Code chapters SPS 320 to 325, rather than adopting the International Residential Code. The UDC applies to dwellings built on or after June 1, 1980. Its roof section, SPS 321.28, sets the rules a Wisconsin reroof is measured against.
The roofing rules are short and specific. Shingles need underlayment of No. 15 felt or an equivalent ASTM D226 or D4869 material, at least 4 fasteners per strip shingle unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise, at least a 2-inch head lap, and installation “in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.” Self-sealing shingles must use a sealant with an average bond strength of at least 1.5 pounds per 3.75 inches of width at 32°F. Chimneys more than 30 inches wide on the upslope side need a cricket.
Two scope rules decide whether the UDC reaches your reroof. SPS 320.05 exempts dwellings started before the code’s effective date, and their alterations, although a municipality may adopt the UDC for them. It also exempts “repairs or maintenance.” A note to SPS 321.28 says SPS 320.04(2) requires an alteration to a regulated dwelling to comply with these roofing provisions. Whether a given reroof counts as an alteration or as maintenance is a call your local building inspector makes.
Snow drives the structure, not the shingles. SPS 321.02 requires roofs to carry the snow load on the state zone map, and the DSPS commentary notes the UDC requires a uniform 30 or 40 psf. Moving to a much heavier covering such as slate or clay tile can call for a structural check of the rafters or trusses before the roof goes on.
Ice dam protection: what the Wisconsin code requires
Wisconsin’s code requires ice dam protection only on shingle or shake roofs that extend over heated space and have a slope of 4:12 or less, per SPS 321.28(4). The protection must be sheet metal or a product labeled as meeting ASTM D1970, running at least 30 inches up the slope from the roof edge and at least 12 inches past the inner face of the exterior wall. Steeper roofs are not covered by that paragraph.
That differs from the model IRC, whose section R905.1.2 ties the ice barrier to a local history of ice forming along the eaves rather than to slope, and runs it to a point at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. It does not mean a steep Wisconsin roof should go without a membrane: the UDC also requires shingles to be installed to the manufacturer’s recommendations, so a maker’s eave-membrane instruction carries weight. Our ice dam protection membrane code guide compares the national rules.
The 12-inch rule is what drives quantity on wide overhangs. Measured along the slope, the membrane must reach from the roof edge to 12 inches past the inside of the wall, so deeper eaves can need a second course. The table works the arithmetic for a wall about 6 inches thick.
| Roof slope and overhang | Edge to inside of wall, along the slope | Required coverage (larger of 30 in, or that distance plus 12 in) | Courses of a 3 ft wide roll |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:12, 12 in overhang | 18 in x 1.054 = 19.0 in | 31.0 in | One |
| 4:12, 18 in overhang | 24 in x 1.054 = 25.3 in | 37.3 in | Two (or one plus a partial) |
| 4:12, 24 in overhang | 30 in x 1.054 = 31.6 in | 43.6 in | Two |
| 3:12, 24 in overhang | 30 in x 1.031 = 30.9 in | 42.9 in | Two |
| 6:12, any overhang | Not triggered by SPS 321.28(4) | Follow the shingle maker’s instructions | Per manufacturer |
Roofing Brief arithmetic: horizontal distance (overhang plus a 6 in wall) times the slope factor, which is 1.054 for 4:12 and 1.031 for 3:12. Many self-adhered membranes are sold in rolls about 3 ft wide; check the product sheet for yours. Rule text from Wis. Admin. Code SPS 321.28(4).
How Wisconsin sales tax shows up in a roofing bid
Wisconsin treats a roofer as the consumer of the shingles, underlayment and flashing it installs. The contractor pays sales or use tax on those materials and may not charge you sales tax on the job, per Wisconsin DOR Publication 207. The tax is built into the price instead, and the rate depends on where the job sits: 5% state tax plus a 0.5% county tax in most counties, 0.9% in Milwaukee County, and a further 2% inside the City of Milwaukee since January 1, 2024.
| Job location | Combined rate | Tax on $6,000 of materials (illustration) |
|---|---|---|
| Waukesha or Winnebago County (no county tax) | 5.0% | $300 |
| Dane, Brown, Racine, Kenosha and most other counties | 5.5% | $330 |
| Milwaukee County, outside the City of Milwaukee | 5.9% | $354 |
| City of Milwaukee | 7.9% | $474 |
Sources: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Publication 207 (Sales and Use Tax Information for Contractors) and its county and city tax rate chart, checked October 2026. The $6,000 materials figure is an illustration, not a typical cost. A bid that adds a separate “sales tax” line on top of a roof replacement deserves a question, because DOR says a contractor performing real property construction activity is not permitted to collect sales tax from customers on it.
Worked example: one 2,000 sq ft roof priced in Milwaukee, Madison and Hudson
The same 20-square architectural shingle roof can land in noticeably different places across Wisconsin. Starting from our $5 to $8 per sq ft baseline, Milwaukee adds the highest materials tax but usually no permit, Madison adds a reroof permit, and Hudson’s Minneapolis-area wage pool can lift labor. The table shows each line and where it comes from.
| Line item | Milwaukee (city) | Madison | Hudson (St. Croix County) | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base installed price, 2,000 sq ft | $10,000 to $16,000 | $10,000 to $16,000 | $10,000 to $16,000 | Site baseline, $5 to $8 per sq ft |
| Labor wage-pool adjustment (upper bound) | None assumed | None assumed | Up to about +13.5% to +16.2% on the base | $36.25 Minneapolis area vs $28.54 Wisconsin median (+27.0%) times 50% to 60% labor share |
| Sales tax rate on materials (inside the base) | 7.9% | 5.5% | 5.5% | Wisconsin DOR rate chart |
| Reroof permit | $0 for a 1 or 2 family reroof that leaves the structure alone | About $110 to $176 if billed at $11 per $1,000 of value | Check with the city or village | Milwaukee DNS form; Madison fee schedule |
| Decking allowance, 3 sheets (96 sq ft) | $192 to $480 | $192 to $480 | $192 to $480 | HomeGuide, $2 to $5 per sq ft |
| Rough total | $10,192 to $16,480 | $10,302 to $16,656 | About $11,500 to $19,100 | Roofing Brief arithmetic |
The Hudson row applies the same 50% to 60% labor share used above: 27.0% times 0.5 is 13.5%, and 27.0% times 0.6 is 16.2%, applied to the $10,000 and $16,000 ends ($11,350 and $18,592) before the decking allowance. It is an upper bound, since crews from Wisconsin-side wage areas also bid there. The Madison permit line assumes the city charges its “alterations and repairs to existing structures” rate of $11 per $1,000 of value (minimum $25) on a $10,000 to $16,000 job; confirm the fee with Madison Building Inspection before budgeting. None of these totals is a quote.
Permits and licensing: Wisconsin’s rules
Wisconsin has no state roofing license, and reroof permits are set city by city. The City of Milwaukee does not require a permit to repair, recover or replace any quantity of roof covering on a one- or two-family home when the structural system is not affected, while the City of Madison lists reroofing a house or garage as permit work. Where a permit is pulled, the contractor generally needs a state Dwelling Contractor credential.
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Wisconsin?
It depends on your municipality. SPS 320.02 lets any municipality require permits and fees, by ordinance, for construction, alterations or repairs outside the UDC’s scope, so two neighboring cities can treat the same reroof differently. The three examples below show the range, and the permit decision belongs to your local building department.
| Jurisdiction | Reroof of a 1 or 2 family home | When a permit is still needed | Fee when required |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Milwaukee | No permit for repair, recover or replacement of any quantity of roof covering if the roof structure is not affected | Structural repairs, or a change that raises roof dead load by 5% or more; historic district and conservation areas need separate approvals | Re-roofing permit: $210 review plus $110 permit, each plus a 1.6% surcharge, plus a $10 processing fee (fees effective Jan. 1, 2023) |
| City of Madison | Permit required (“Roofing: Reroof your house or garage”) | Always, per the city’s permit chart | Confirm with Building Inspection; the posted rate for alterations and repairs to existing structures is $11 per $1,000 of value, minimum $25 |
| Other Wisconsin cities, villages and towns | Set by local ordinance | Ask the local building inspector, or check the DSPS list of UDC delegated agents | Varies |
Sources: City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services, Application for Re-roofing Permit; City of Madison Development Services Center, “Do I Need a Permit?” chart and Building Inspection fee schedule; Wis. Admin. Code SPS 320.02. Milwaukee’s form also says a re-roofing permit will not be issued for work that includes an asbestos project without a concurrent asbestos permit.
Who can pull the permit: the Dwelling Contractor credential
Wisconsin’s Department of Safety and Professional Services issues a Dwelling Contractor certification to businesses that obtain building permits for one- and two-family dwellings. DSPS requires a surety bond of at least $25,000 or general liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence, and the business must name a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier, an individual who completes 12 hours of approved continuing education each two-year cycle.
The credential is not a roofing skills license. A roofer working in Milwaukee on a reroof that needs no permit may not need it at all. Where a permit is required, ask for the business’s Dwelling Contractor credential number and look it up on the DSPS LicensE system before you sign.
Wisconsin’s roofing contract laws: deductibles, cancellation and lien notices
Three Wisconsin laws shape a roofing contract. Wis. Stat. 100.65 bans contractors from paying or rebating your insurance deductible and gives you a right to cancel an insurance-funded roof contract after a claim denial. ATCP 110 sets what a written home improvement contract must say. And Wis. Stat. 779.02 requires a lien-rights notice, with ATCP 110.025 adding a lien-waiver notice.
- No deductible deals. Under Wis. Stat. 100.65(2), no residential contractor may promise to pay or rebate any part of a property insurance deductible, including in advertising. “Rebate” covers discounts, gift cards, referral fees and similar items. Violations carry a forfeiture of $500 to $1,000 each under 100.65(9).
- The insurance statement. Before signing a written contract for roof or exterior work, the contractor must give you a boldface statement asking whether the work relates to an insurance claim, plus a detachable cancellation form, per 100.65(3).
- Cancel after a denial. If the work is to be paid by insurance and the insurer denies the claim in whole or in part, you may cancel until midnight of the third business day after receiving the insurer’s written notice, per 100.65(5). The contractor must return payments within 10 days, keeping only the reasonable value of emergency work you acknowledged in writing.
- No public adjusting. A contractor may not represent you or negotiate your claim with the insurer under 100.65(8). With your express consent, it may discuss the damage with the adjuster and submit its estimate.
- A complete written contract. ATCP 110.05 requires a written contract when you pay anything before the work is finished or when the seller solicited you at your door, by phone or by flyer. It must name the seller, describe the work and the principal materials (make, type, grade), state the total price, give start and finish dates, and state any warranty.
- Lien notices and waivers. A prime contractor using subcontractors or suppliers must include Wisconsin’s lien-rights notice in the written contract, per Wis. Stat. 779.02(2)(a). ATCP 110.025 requires a separate written notice that you may request lien waivers, and the contractor must supply them at each payment if you ask.
Sources: Wis. Stat. 100.65 (2013 Wis. Act 24); Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 110.025 and 110.05; Wis. Stat. 779.02(2). Our roofing contractor red flags and storm chaser laws by state pages cover the wider pattern.
Hail, ice and insurance in Wisconsin
Hail is Wisconsin’s main roof-claim peril in the warm months. NOAA’s Storm Events Database logged 1,636 reports of hail 1 inch or larger in Wisconsin from 2016 to 2025, and 73.7% fell between April and July, with May alone at 24.1%. Dane County led with 152 reports. Winter adds ice dams, which the code addresses at low-slope eaves.
| Month | Reports of hail 1 in or larger, 2016 to 2025 | Share of Wisconsin total |
|---|---|---|
| March | 33 | 2.0% |
| April | 249 | 15.2% |
| May | 394 | 24.1% |
| June | 279 | 17.1% |
| July | 284 | 17.4% |
| August | 137 | 8.4% |
| September | 200 | 12.2% |
| October to February | 60 | 3.7% |
| Total | 1,636 | 100% |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database detail files for 2016 to 2025; our tabulation of hail events of 1.00 inch or larger, with duplicate rows removed. Of the 1,636 reports, 357 (21.8%) were 1.75 inches or larger and 171 were 2 inches or larger. The count ranged from 69 in 2019 to 299 in 2025. Counties with the most reports were Dane (152), Waukesha (67) and St. Croix (64). For claim patterns nationally, see hail damage roof insurance claims by state.
How insurers treat an older Wisconsin roof
Wisconsin’s insurance regulator, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI), says that after a storm or other covered loss the insurer must pay to repair or replace the portion of the roof damaged by that loss, minus the deductible. It is not required to replace undamaged parts. If a roof is simply worn out, replacement is the owner’s cost.
OCI also says an insurer may refuse to renew a policy because of a home’s condition, including a worn-out roof, but must mail or deliver a nonrenewal notice at least 60 days before the policy expires. Many policies settle older roofs at actual cash value, which subtracts depreciation, so check your declarations page for the roof settlement basis. Some insurers credit impact-rated shingles; our impact-resistant shingle discount by state page tracks them.
Programs and tax credits for a Wisconsin roof
No federal tax credit applies to a 2026 Wisconsin roof. Public Law 119-21 ended the 25C home improvement credit for property placed in service after December 31, 2025, and the 25D clean energy credit for expenditures after that date. Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program does offer 2026 rebates for attic insulation and air sealing, which can address the heat loss behind ice dams.
| Focus on Energy rebate (single-family, 1 to 3 units) | Higher income (above 150% AMI) | Moderate income (80% to 150% AMI) | Low income (below 80% AMI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attic insulation | $650 | $750 | $850 |
| ENERGY STAR qualified air sealing (energy assessment required) | $850 | $1,160 | $1,475 |
| DIY attic insulation and air sealing | $200 | $200 | $200 |
Source: Focus on Energy, Insulation and Air Sealing Rebates, for improvements made on or after January 1, 2026, checked October 2026. Standard rebates require a participating Trade Ally contractor, a participating utility that supplies at least 51% of the home’s heating, and an application within 60 days of installation and no later than January 31, 2027. Focus on Energy says assessments typically cost $500 to $700. Rebates do not cover roofing itself. Confirm current terms before you sign.
Which roof should you pick in Wisconsin?
For most Wisconsin homes, architectural asphalt is the default: it is the cheapest mainstream roof and recoups the most at resale in Cost vs Value 2025. Metal makes more sense for long ownership and snow shedding, and the code itself forces some choices, such as tear-off when two layers already exist. Match your situation to the row below.
| If your situation is… | Then consider… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Selling within a few years in Green Bay, Appleton or Wausau | Architectural asphalt | Asphalt recoups 76.9% to 77.4% there vs 51.2% to 52.3% for metal (Cost vs Value 2025) |
| Staying for decades on a steep roof that sheds snow | Standing-seam metal | Costs about 1.6 to 1.7 times asphalt in Cost vs Value’s Wisconsin markets, but lasts longer |
| Roof already has two layers | Full tear-off, any material | SPS 321.28(6)(c) bars a third layer |
| Existing slate, clay or cement tile, or wood shake | Tear-off before any new covering | SPS 321.28(6)(b) bars overlays on those roofs |
| Eaves at 4:12 or less over heated rooms | Budget for ice dam membrane or metal, sometimes two courses | SPS 321.28(4) sets 30 in minimum and 12 in past the wall |
| Recurring ice dams at any slope | Air sealing and attic insulation alongside the roof | Focus on Energy rebates of $650 to $850 for attic insulation in 2026 |
| Hail-prone area such as Dane County | Class 4 impact-rated shingles, after asking your insurer about a credit | Dane County logged 152 reports of 1 in or larger hail, 2016 to 2025 (NOAA) |
| Insurance-funded replacement | Any material, with the 100.65 statement and cancellation form in hand | Wis. Stat. 100.65 gives a cancellation right after a claim denial |
How to price a Wisconsin roof replacement, step by step
Pricing a Wisconsin roof well takes about nine checks, in this order: measure the roof, confirm which rules apply to your house and city, then compare written bids that meet the state’s contract rules. Each step below stands alone, so skip the ones that do not apply to your home.
- Measure roof area in squares. Use the house-size table above for a first estimate, then ask each bidder to state the square count. Bids for the same house that differ by several squares need an explanation.
- Check the year built and your municipality. Homes started on or after June 1, 1980 fall under the UDC. Call your building department to ask whether a reroof needs a permit; Milwaukee and Madison answer differently.
- Count the layers and check the eave slope. Two existing layers mean a tear-off under SPS 321.28(6). Eaves at 4:12 or less over heated space need ice dam protection under SPS 321.28(4).
- Get at least three written bids. Each should name the shingle make and line, underlayment, ice dam protection, ventilation and flashing, plus the price, dates and warranty that ATCP 110.05 requires.
- Ask how decking is priced. A per-sheet or per-square-foot rate in the contract avoids surprises; HomeGuide puts decking at about $2 to $5 per sq ft installed.
- Read the lien and lien-waiver notices. Ask for lien waivers from the roofer and its suppliers at each payment, as ATCP 110.025 allows.
- For an insurance claim, use the 100.65 paperwork. Fill in the insurance statement, keep the cancellation form, and walk away from any offer to cover your deductible.
- Verify credentials. If a permit is needed, confirm the Dwelling Contractor credential on DSPS LicensE, and ask for proof of liability insurance before final payment.
- Schedule around hail season and cold. Crews are busiest after April to July storms. In cold weather, follow the shingle maker’s instructions for sealing, which may call for hand-sealing.
Neighboring-state comparisons: roof replacement cost in Minnesota, roof replacement cost in Illinois and roof replacement cost in Michigan. For how long each material should last, see how long a roof lasts.
Verified roofers in Wisconsin metros
Pricing a roof is half the job; the other half is choosing who installs it. The Roofing Brief ranks manufacturer-certified roofers in 14 Wisconsin metros, scoring each on a published formula and checking the leaders against state licence and BBB records.
- Best roofers in Minneapolis, MN: five certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by Sela Roofing & Remodeling (TRB Score 93.7).
- Best roofers in Milwaukee, WI: five certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by Elite Exteriors LLC (TRB Score 85.0).
- Best roofers in Madison, WI: five certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by The Badger Company (TRB Score 93.8).
- Best roofers in Green Bay, WI: five certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by Weather-Tite Exteriors LLC (TRB Score 79.9).
- Best roofers in Duluth, MN: five certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by Empire Roofing (TRB Score 87.9).
- Best roofers in Appleton, WI: five certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by Keeney Home Services (TRB Score 78.5).
- Best roofers in Racine, WI: two certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by BNW Installations (TRB Score 85.1).
- Best roofers in Eau Claire, WI: four certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by Orange Roofing (TRB Score 73.4).
- Best roofers in Oshkosh, WI: five certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by Keeney Home Services (TRB Score 74.2).
- Best roofers in La Crosse, WI: five certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by Riverland Exteriors (TRB Score 80.3).
- Best roofers in Kenosha, WI: four certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by Benjamin Brothers Roofing & Exteriors (TRB Score 86.0).
- Best roofers in Janesville, WI: five certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by DMR Exteriors (TRB Score 79.4).
- Best roofers in Wausau, WI: five certified contractors ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by A-Rite Exteriors (TRB Score 85.7).
- Best roofers in Sheboygan, WI: one certified contractor ranked and checked against licence and BBB records, led by Gellings Roofing & Siding (TRB Score 80.1).
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new roof cost in Wisconsin?
For about 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect roughly $9,400 for basic asphalt and $10,000 to $16,000 for architectural shingles in 2026. This Old House’s Wisconsin average of $7,043 is priced on only about 1,158 sq ft of roof. Metal runs about $17,600 at 2,000 sq ft, and Cost vs Value 2025 prices a larger 3,000 sq ft tear-off at $31,184 in Milwaukee.
What is the 25% rule for roofing, and does it apply in Wisconsin?
The 25% rule comes from Florida’s building code, which historically required replacing a roof section when more than 25% was repaired within 12 months. Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code has no such trigger. Milwaukee uses 25% only as a permit threshold for buildings other than one- and two-family homes; a house reroof there needs no permit if the structure is untouched. Repair versus replacement turns on condition, layers and the insurer.
What is the cheapest time of year to get a new roof in Wisconsin?
No published Wisconsin price index shows a seasonal discount, but scheduling is easier outside the hail rush. From 2016 to 2025, 73.7% of Wisconsin’s 1-inch-plus hail reports fell in April to July, when storm work fills crew calendars. Late summer and early fall often bring more open dates while it is still warm enough for shingle seal strips to bond without extra steps.
Will insurance cover a 20-year-old roof in Wisconsin?
It may, if a covered peril such as hail or wind caused the damage. Wisconsin’s OCI says insurers must pay to repair or replace the damaged portion, minus the deductible, but a worn-out roof is the owner’s cost. Many policies settle older roofs at actual cash value, and an insurer may nonrenew over a worn roof with at least 60 days’ notice.
How much does it cost to replace a roof on a 2,200 square-foot house in Wisconsin?
It depends on the number of stories. A 2,200 sq ft ranch carries roughly 2,530 to 2,860 sq ft of roof, or about $12,650 to $22,880 in architectural asphalt at $5 to $8 per sq ft. A two-story house of the same size has about half the roof, roughly $6,325 to $11,440. Pitch, layers and decking repairs move the final number.
Is it cheaper to put a metal roof or shingles on a Wisconsin house?
Shingles are cheaper upfront. This Old House’s Wisconsin data puts asphalt at $4.72 per sq ft and metal at $8.81, and Cost vs Value 2025 prices the same Milwaukee job at $31,184 for asphalt and $51,215 for metal. Asphalt also recouped more at resale in every Wisconsin market in that report, though metal can last longer and shed snow.
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Wisconsin?
It depends on your municipality, because Wisconsin leaves reroof permits to local ordinance. The City of Milwaukee requires no permit to replace roof covering on a one- or two-family home when the structure is not affected. The City of Madison requires a permit to reroof a house or garage. Ask your local building department before work starts.
Can a Wisconsin roofer pay or waive my insurance deductible?
No. Wis. Stat. 100.65 bars residential contractors from promising to pay or rebate any part of a property insurance deductible, including through discounts, gifts or referral fees, with forfeitures of $500 to $1,000 per violation. The same law lets you cancel an insurance-funded roof contract within three business days after a written claim denial.
Sources
- This Old House, “Roof Replacement Cost in Wisconsin,” updated June 12, 2026.
- The Roofing Brief, 2026 roofing cost report (architectural asphalt $5 to $8 per sq ft installed; three-tab $4 to $6).
- Remodeling (Journal of Light Construction), Cost vs Value Report 2025: Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton and Wausau, WI, roofing replacement (asphalt shingles) and roofing replacement (metal), with East North Central and national figures; project description for roofing replacement (asphalt shingles).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 47-2181 Roofers: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, national and metropolitan estimates.
- Angi, roof replacement and metal roofing cost guides (labor share of total cost), checked October 2026.
- Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 320.02, 320.05, 321.02 and 321.28 (Uniform Dwelling Code); Wisconsin DSPS, SPS 321 Commentary.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, UDC program page; Dwelling Contractor and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier credential pages, checked October 2026.
- City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services, Application for Re-roofing Permit (fees effective January 1, 2023).
- City of Madison Development Services Center, “Do I Need a Permit?” chart and Building Inspection fee schedule, checked October 2026.
- Wisconsin Statutes 100.65 (Residential contractors) and 779.02(2) (Notice to owner, lender, and supplier).
- Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 110.025 (Lien waivers) and ATCP 110.05 (Home improvement contract requirements).
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Publication 207, Sales and Use Tax Information for Contractors, and county and city sales tax rate chart, checked October 2026.
- Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, Frequently Asked Questions: Homeowner’s Insurance (PI-232, last updated March 3, 2023), checked October 2026.
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database detail files, 2016 to 2025.
- HomeGuide, roof decking replacement cost ($2 to $5 per sq ft installed).
- Focus on Energy, Insulation and Air Sealing Rebates, checked October 2026.
- Public Law 119-21, sections 70505 and 70506.
Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Prices, fees and code status change; confirm current figures with your local building department and at least three contractors.