How much do Roof Trusses cost?

In a home where you are just replacing one truss, it could run you $50 in materials and $200 to $500 in labour costs, depending on the difficulty. A typical wooden roof frame for a two-storey home can cost between $9,000 to $15,000. The cost of a truss is very dependent on the size of your home, the design of the truss and the slope, therefore your final price can differ drastically from this average.

Each truss must be made to the exacting specifications of the individual structure. Companies who make preformed trusses sell them at different rates. Combining the cost of labour and materials, roof truss costs per square metre can range from $30 to $90 per hour.

Without trusses, there is nothing to hold the roof up. The outer frame would be too weak for the weight. Each triangular truss is designed to hold part of the load. With all of them in place, the roof is secure. Typically, preformed trusses are made of wood and metal. The bottom board is called the runner and the sides, top chords. Inside the triangle are more runners to brace the structure. The top chords extend beyond the bottom board to attach to the house frame.

A truss and rafter do the same job. The difference is that a rafter is built from scratch on-site, while a truss is made in a factory. Rafters require much more intensive labour than using trusses. In today’s construction, trusses have become favoured because it is faster to use prefabricated parts for building than to have carpenters make the parts. If you are comparing roof rafters or truss costs, the chances are good that the trusses will be much less.

Generally, the price of a preformed truss is meant to include labour costs at a lower rate than they would for an actual carpenter. However, wooden trusses are still subject to fluctuations in the price of timber. Since they are used for design purposes, exposed trusses cost more due to the quality and expertise needed.

Wood vs Steel: Wood truss prices cost less than steel, although the price may fluctuate more widely. Steel roof trusses cost about twice as much due to the material and weight. An on-site inspection is the best way to determine the most accurate quote.

Building type: The type of building may dictate which kind of truss will be the most suitable. Renovations may require more labour due to the workaround factor. Adding an extension such as a garage may be more expensive than adding a separate building.

Labour rates: Carpentry rates range from $40 to $80. A small job may end up costing more per truss than a job involving multiple trusses.

Truss installation costs: The individual job will dictate roof truss costs. For instance, a new home will incorporate roof trusses in the building costs. A renovation will require new ones if the roof is raised. A damaged roof may need some, but not all trusses to be replaced. A proper quote from a contractor should lay out all costs related to the purchase and installation of trusses.

Replacing trusses: Generally, a single truss, which may have been damaged over time, will cost around $50 in supplies and $200 to $400 in labour. The difficulty in reaching the area will factor into the final price. You may want to combine this work with other carpentry needed.

Types of Roof Trusses: The standard truss looks like a triangle. The gable or end truss has vertical webbing and is used to cap the ends of a roof. A scissor truss, which is used to create a vaulted ceiling, is more expensive.

Within Australia, the most significant difference for homeowners will be labour costs. Sydney and other large cities will have higher labour costs than smaller, more rural areas. However, the lack of qualified builders can drive the price up if you are doing renovations in an isolated area.

Tip #1: It’s essential to get multiple qualified roofers or builders. It is a good idea to have multiple bids to get an idea of what the plan costs. Since a roof truss needs a strong foundation to support your home, opting for the most affordable option is not a good choice indicator.

Tip #2: Ask about permits for building or renovations. You don’t want to make changes to a structure and find out later that the project needed council approval.

Before hiring, check certifications. You want to be sure that the company you hire has highly qualified carpenters who can handle the interior truss work and experienced roofers who can handle the exterior work. Otherwise, you may need to hire a carpentry contractor and a separate roofing contractor.

Tip #1: Roofs are protection for the whole house. You should make sure that contractors have all the necessary qualifications before signing on the dotted line. 

Tip #2: If this is a brand new house, have your roof contractor be part of the process from the beginning.

Tip #3: Get a firm grip on the work that needs to be done and the order in which it must be completed before agreeing to the quote. 

Tip #4: If this is for a renovation or rescue, costs involve more than materials and labour. It also includes tearing out and disposing of the old trusses.

 

 

* The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources