How Much Does Roof Truss Repair Cost?

You noticed that sag in the roof of your home. A trip into your attic and a bit of investigation and you found a roof trust with some damage. The damage doesn’t look too bad from the inside, but you can see the definite sag where the roof truss has bowed from the outside. How much does it cost to repair a roof truss?

If you are considering replacing your roof, get a quote from local contractors in your area here.

Repairing a roof truss is a critical repair that you shouldn’t ignore. Expect a roof truss repair to cost $750. In some cases, the cost can be as little as $50 if the damage is minimal. Most repairs will cost less than $1,500, while extensive damage may require a roof replacement that can cost up to $15,000.

Roof trusses come in a variety of styles using different construction methods. Typically, the cost of roof trusses for new home construction runs about $3.50 per square foot for the average truss. Specialty trusses can reach $400 or more. Repairing roof trusses is possible but requires special knowledge and equipment.

Roof truss repair requires understanding how roof trusses work, how the roof truss was damaged, and the extent of the damage. Typically, these are not factors that the average homeowner can assess. In some jurisdictions, a licensed engineer must evaluate and oversee the repair of roof trusses.

Where the damage is minimal and the truss is not compromised, contractors use timber resin or joist end repair plates to make in-place repairs. More important is to identify what caused the damage and repair the problem. In-place truss repairs typically cost between $300 and $800 per truss

In some cases, a qualified professional may reinforce the roof structure, including damaged trusses. In general, these types of repairs apply only to roof trusses with minimal damage that does not compromise the overall strength of the truss.

Most contractors qualified to repair or reinforce a roof truss won’t estimate the repair cost. Examining the damage often doesn’t reveal problems until the repair or reinforcement has begun. For this reason, most contractors will quote on a cost-plus basis. The cost is a combination of the cost of the materials plus an hourly charge. Typically, the hourly charge for these kinds of repairs averages $55 per hour.

Replacing a trussed roof with rafters can make sense if the original rafter designs are not available for the truss company. However, if your roof trusses are simple, they will usually cost much less than framing rafters on site. Framing rafters for a new roof typically costs between $13,500 and $22,00.

The size and complexity of the roof are the two factors contributing most to roof rafter construction costs. You may also incur costs for an engineer to draw a roof framing plan if your local building code requires the drawings for a permit.

No matter which option you choose, you should remain constantly aware of the building codes in your area. Many building codes require you to take out a permit for structural additions or repairs even if you are doing a homeowner repair. Permits often include periodic inspections by the building inspector during your work.

In general, homeowner permits are less expensive than contractor permits. In most locations, repairing or replacing a roof truss requires a construction permit. The range of costs for a homeowner construction permit varies with the complexity of the job. In general, you can expect to pay between $500 to $2,000 for a building permit.