Shingle Roofing
Shingle roofs from a family roofing business in Scottsdale since 1987. We put the work into what goes under the shingles, because that's what keeps water out.
About Our Shingle Roofing Services
Mikel Wallesen explains this on our YouTube channel
A shingle roof is only as good as what's under it. The shingle is the part you see from the street. The underlayment and the details around the valleys and vents are what keep water out of the house, so that's where we put our attention. Big Red Roofing is a family business in Scottsdale. It started in Nebraska, and the family has roofed here since 1987. Mikel Wallesen took it over from his father and runs it today.
Price is usually the first question. From our price sheet, a shingle roof runs about $7,500 to $9,500 on a 2,000 sq ft roof, $11,250 to $14,250 on 3,000 sq ft and $15,000 to $19,000 on 4,000 sq ft, plus about 5% on a two-story house. (Side note: that's $3.75 to $4.75 per square foot of roof.) Mikel's rule of thumb is about $10,000 to $15,000 on smaller homes, climbing to $40,000 to $50,000 on large ones. Two things move the number most: the size of the roof and the grade of shingle, architectural or designer. He walks through it in how much a shingle roof really costs, and every range is on our pricing page.
Underneath, we lay self-adhering underlayment. Old felt dries out over the years and gives out first where water collects, like the valleys. Self-adhering underlayment bonds to the deck, and an Arizona summer basically melts it in place. We also watch what sits in the water's path. On one roof we found a vent at the bottom of a valley, so we moved it to the next set of trusses, out of the valley, where it could still breathe out the roof.
Have questions before you commit? We're happy to talk through it.
What Does Shingle Roofing Cost?
From our price sheet, a shingle roof runs about:
- 2,000 sq ft roof: $7,500 to $9,500
- 3,000 sq ft roof: $11,250 to $14,250
- 4,000 sq ft roof: $15,000 to $19,000
A two-story house adds about 5%. Side note: that's $3.75 to $4.75 per square foot of roof. Roof size and shingle grade move it most. See every range on our pricing page.
For your roof, get a starting number from our instant estimator.
Want a precise number for your specific situation?
Our estimator takes about 90 seconds.
What Affects the Price?
- Size of the roof
- Shingle grade: architectural or designer
What Does the Process Look Like?
- 1
Free Inspection and Quote
We come out and look at your roof in person, and the inspection and quote are free. Want a number first? The instant estimator on this page gives you one, or call us at (602) 799-6837.
- 2
Pick Your Shingle Grade
Architectural or designer. Grade and roof size are the two things that move the price most, so this is the main choice you make on cost.
- 3
Old Roof Off, New Underlayment Down
The old shingles and felt come off. Old felt dries out over time and fails first where water collects, so it doesn't stay. We lay self-adhering underlayment on the deck. In an Arizona summer it basically melts to the deck, and once it's down it's nearly impossible to pull apart.
- 4
Check the Valleys and Vents
Valleys are where the water collects. If a vent sits in one, it's right in the water's path, so we move it to where it can breathe out the roof without the valley's runoff hitting it.
- 5
New Shingles On
Then the shingles you picked go on over the new underlayment. The shingles are the part you see from the street. Steps 3 and 4 are the part that keeps water out.
What Should You Know About Shingle Roofing?
Architectural or Designer Shingles
Shingle grade is one of the two things that move the price most. The other is the size of the roof. Designer is the higher grade and costs more. Architectural keeps the price lower. The work underneath is the same either way. Mikel breaks down the cost here.
Self-Adhering Underlayment
You peel the film off the back and it sticks to the deck. In an Arizona summer it basically melts into the deck, so once it's down it's nearly impossible to pull apart. That's the layer keeping water out of your house. Why it sticks so hard.
Why Old Felt Has to Go
Older roofs often have 30 lb felt under them. It dries out over time, and it goes first in the valleys and other spots where water collects. That's why it comes off and self-adhering underlayment goes down. More on old felt.
Vents Out of the Valley
A vent at the bottom of a valley sits right where the water comes off the roof. On one job we found exactly that, so we ran flat stock off the old dryer vent and moved it to the next set of trusses, out of the valley's path, where it could still breathe out the roof. See the vent move.
How Does Shingle Roofing Compare?
Architectural vs. Designer Shingles
The lower-priced of the two grades
Same self-adhering underlayment underneath
The higher grade, and it pushes the price up
Same self-adhering underlayment underneath
Pick the grade that fits your budget. Grade and roof size move the price more than anything else, but neither one changes what keeps water out. That's the underlayment and the valleys, and we do those the same way on both.
Old Felt vs. Self-Adhering Underlayment
Dries out over time
Fails first where water collects, like valleys
Peel the film and it sticks to the deck
Arizona summer heat basically melts it in place
Nearly impossible to pull apart once it's down
Old felt gives out where the water runs. That's why our shingle roofs go down over self-adhering underlayment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a shingle roof cost?
From our price sheet: about $7,500 to $9,500 for a 2,000 sq ft roof, $11,250 to $14,250 for 3,000 sq ft and $15,000 to $19,000 for 4,000 sq ft, plus about 5% on a two-story house. Mikel's rule of thumb is $10,000 to $15,000 on smaller homes and up to $40,000 to $50,000 on large ones. Roof size and shingle grade, architectural or designer, move the number most. See every range on our pricing page, use the instant estimator, or call (602) 799-6837 for a free inspection and quote.
What goes under the shingles?
Self-adhering underlayment. You peel off the film and it bonds to the deck, and an Arizona summer basically melts it in place. Once it's down, it's nearly impossible to pull apart. That matters because old felt dries out over time and fails first where water collects.
Why do valleys matter so much on a shingle roof?
Valleys are where the water collects. Old felt dries out and gives out there first, and a vent sitting in a valley is right in the path of that water. When we redo a roof, the old felt comes off, self-adhering underlayment goes down, and a vent in the valley gets moved out of the way.
Who is Big Red Roofing?
A family roofing business in Scottsdale. It started in Nebraska, and the family has roofed here since 1987. Mikel Wallesen took it over from his father and runs it today. Arizona ROC #276008. A+ rated by the BBB, accredited since 2012, with 0 complaints. Our Google rating is live on the reviews page.
Ready to Move Forward?
Step 1: Get a Number
Use the instant estimator, or call us at (602) 799-6837.
Step 2: Free Inspection
We come out, look at your roof and give you a free quote.
Step 3: Pick Your Shingle
Architectural or designer. Then the old roof comes off and the new one goes on, starting with what goes underneath.
Explore Our Other Services
Shingle Roofing by City
Local pages with neighborhood-specific notes for shingle roofing across the Valley.