When Your Roof Replacement Gets More Expensive: How the 2024 Labor Shortage is Changing Everything
If you’ve been putting off that roof replacement, you might want to reconsider your timeline. The roofing industry is facing an unprecedented labor shortage in 2024 that’s driving up costs across the board, making what was already a significant investment even more expensive for homeowners.
The Perfect Storm: Why Roofing Labor is Scarce
A combination of an aging workforce, fewer young workers entering the trade, and an increased demand for construction projects has led to a lack of skilled roofers. This isn’t just a temporary blip—it’s a structural shift that’s been building for years and reached a tipping point in 2024.
By far, the biggest challenge facing commercial contractors is the lack of qualified workers; 61% said it was an issue. This shortage extends beyond commercial work to residential roofing, where homeowners are experiencing the direct impact through higher prices and longer wait times.
The Real Cost Impact on Your Wallet
The numbers tell a sobering story. For commercial contractors who said labor costs went up since January 2024, they saw a mean percentage increase of 14%. While residential rates haven’t climbed quite as steeply, labor hikes pushed total installed roofing costs up ~4% for the year, varying by region.
What does this mean for your project? Labor costs make up about 60% of the total cost of a new roof. When you’re looking at a roof replacement cost that can range from $10,000 to $80,000 in New Jersey, even a modest labor increase translates to thousands of additional dollars.
Beyond the Price Tag: Project Delays and Quality Concerns
With fewer workers available, roofing projects take longer to complete, leading to delays and increased costs for clients and contractors alike. This creates a domino effect where homeowners face not just higher costs, but also extended timelines that can leave their homes vulnerable to weather damage during the replacement process.
The shortage also raises quality concerns. Areas with higher living costs or a shortage of skilled roofers may have higher labor rates. Some contractors are forced to hire less experienced workers or stretch their existing crews thin, potentially compromising the quality of installation.
How Local Contractors Are Adapting
Established contractors like A Russo Roofing in New Jersey are taking proactive approaches to navigate these challenges. A Russo Roofing & Siding has been protecting Shrewsbury homes since the 1980s. We’re not some fly-by-night operation—we’re your neighbors, and we’ve built our reputation one roof at a time.
The company’s approach illustrates how quality contractors are maintaining standards despite industry pressures. Our owner shows up to every job. Not just to check boxes, but because your roof matters. We’ve seen what happens when contractors cut corners, and we refuse to be that company.
Industry Solutions and Technology Integration
The roofing industry isn’t sitting idle. To bridge the skills gap, many roofing companies are implementing apprenticeship programs that provide on-the-job training for new workers. This helps develop the next generation of roofers while ensuring quality standards are met.
Automation and roofing technology, such as drones for roof inspections and robotic equipment for material handling, are helping companies improve efficiency despite labor shortages. These technological advances are helping contractors do more with fewer workers while maintaining quality standards.
What This Means for Homeowners
The labor shortage creates a challenging environment for homeowners, but understanding the landscape can help you make better decisions. First, expect to pay more and wait longer for quality work. However, the industry-wide labor shortage will likely remain an issue, affecting project timelines and costs.
Second, the shortage makes choosing the right contractor even more critical. Companies with established reputations and stable workforces are better positioned to deliver quality work on schedule, even if they command premium pricing.
Looking Ahead: Will Relief Come?
Industry experts offer cautious optimism for the future. Experts suggest that roofing prices might stabilize as supply chain issues ease and labor shortages improve. While predicting exact timelines is difficult, prices might stabilize soon as supply chain issues and labor shortages ease.
However, Our insiders, like the economists, all agree that the labor shortage is not going away any time soon, though some companies appear to be harder hit than others. This suggests that while some relief may come, the fundamental challenge of attracting and retaining skilled roofers will persist.
Making Smart Decisions in a Difficult Market
If you need roofing work, don’t let the labor shortage force you into poor decisions. Focus on contractors with proven track records, stable workforces, and transparent pricing. While you may pay more than you would have a few years ago, investing in quality work from experienced professionals protects your home and your wallet in the long run.
The labor shortage has fundamentally changed the roofing landscape, but homeowners who understand these dynamics and choose their contractors carefully can still get excellent results. The key is recognizing that in today’s market, the cheapest bid often comes with hidden costs in terms of delays, quality issues, and potential rework.