Three quotes, three very different numbers, and no obvious way to tell which is reasonable. Here are the public benchmarks for the Quebec market in 2026.
Ranges by material
| Material | Per sq ft | Single-family home | Advertised life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle | $6 – $12 | $9,500 – $16,500 | 25 to 30 years |
| Metal roofing | $15 – $30 | $22,000 – $45,000 | 40 to 50 years |
| Elastomeric membrane / TPO | $11 – $21 | By surface area | 25 to 35 years |
These prices normally include tear-off of the old covering, debris disposal, materials and labour.
What drives the bill up
- Decking replacement: $75 to $120 per sheet of plywood. You only find out once the old shingle is off, the main source of overruns.
- Roof vents: $250 to $500 each. Inadequate ventilation is a leading cause of premature ageing.
- Pitch. A steep roof demands more safety equipment and more time. Expect a meaningful premium.
- Number of faces, dormers and valleys. Every intersection is a labour point and a risk point.
- Site access. No truck access, sloped lot, landscaping to protect.
What about actual lifespan?
This is where the math gets complicated. The advertised warranty on asphalt shingle is 25 to 30 years. The observed real-world lifespan in Quebec sits closer to 18 to 22 years. Across 142 roofs inspected in west Montreal in 2025, average age at replacement due to leaking was 19.4 years.
The reason is climate. Shingles are engineered for roughly 50 freeze-thaw cycles a year. Quebec sees over 100. In Saguenay, with only 95 to 110 frost-free days a year and 330 cm of snow, the assault is harder still.
Put another way: divide $13,000 by 25 years and you get $520 a year. Divide it by 20 and you get $650. That is a 25% gap in real cost of ownership.
Are there grants?
Essentially none, and it pays to be clear about this. Existing programs target energy efficiency, not roof covering:
- Rénoclimat $50 to $3,750, for insulation, with before-and-after assessment.
- LogisVert (Hydro-Québec), up to $1,500, insulation and electric heating, requiring RSI ≥ 8.8.
- Federal 0% loan, up to $40,000 for eligible energy-efficient renovations.
Government grants generally do not cover roof covering replacement on its own. And none applies to a surface treatment. If a salesperson mentions a grant for roof treatment, treat it as a red flag.
How to read a roofer's quote
- The exact shingle brand and model. "Architectural shingle" means nothing on its own.
- Decking treatment. Is there a unit price if sheets need replacing? If not, prepare for a surprise.
- Ventilation. How many vents, what type, and are they included?
- Ice-and-water membrane. A self-adhering membrane at the eaves and in the valleys is not a luxury in Saguenay.
- Proof of liability insurance and CNESST compliance. Ask for it in writing.
The question to ask first
Before comparing three replacement prices, it is worth knowing whether replacement is genuinely necessary this year. A watertight 15-year-old roof is not at the same stage as a 15-year-old roof that leaks. The difference is not visible from the ground.