We have one of those "faux-shingle" aluminum roofs ~ actually, thanks to Hurricane Katrina, we've had two of them. They are the most expensive option in the short run, but (at least in our climate) their longevity and high insulation rating make them pretty economical in the long term. (In the heat and humidity of South Louisiana, a so-called "30-year" standard shingle roof is good for maybe 10-12 years, if that.)

In most American cities/"metro-areas," including here in New Orleans, there are two competing companies selling two slightly different-looking lines of this type of metal roof. The two products actually come out of the same factory in Ohio and have the same lifetime warranty, same basic specs (thickness, etc.). The dual product lines and distribution/installation channels are to promote competition and avoid antitrust problems, etc., apparently.

Anyway: Our metal roof cost us $7500 in 2003. It's a small house (1,000 sq ft) with a simple gable roof design and shallow pitch. In the standard installation, the old roof is NOT torn off, but is retained as an extra layer of insulation. The new roof consists of interlocking panels about 2 x 3 feet, attached by screws rather than nails.

The 2005 hurricane season saw us sustain three small punctures in this roof despite high winds that tore most of our neighbors' roofs to shreds. I firmly believe that the metal roof saved the main-floor interior and contents of our home. (The lower floor, which is sort of an above-ground "basement," was totally devastated by flooding, but that had nothing to do with the roof.)

The lifetime warranty is good only up to a Category 3 or 4 hurricane, so damage from Cat-5 Katrina was not covered by the manufacturer ~ but it was covered by our insurance. When I called the roofer/dealer to repair the three small holes, I was surprised to learn that he proposed to replace the entire roof. Although basically intact, it was throughly dented and scratched by tons of tree limbs that had fallen on the roof and bounced to the ground. The guy explained that it was no longer sufficiently intact to be warranteed, mostly due to potential corrosion where the finish had been damaged.

I am very well aware of how very much debris had peppered that roof. The house was surrounded by four big shady trees each over 100 feet high, three pecans and a pine. They are now still almost as tall, but were severely thinned out by the winds and the yard is no longer the shady oasis that it used to be. I cleared the yard of all those fallen limbs, and can testify that there were plenty of 'em ~ the whole yard was neck-high in debris when we first returned home.

The roofing-company guy met with the insurance adjuster and convinced him to pay $11,000 for the replacement roof. That's a big increase over $7,500 just 2 years or so earlier, but the price did include tearing off the previous metal roof, while removal of the old roof was not part of the original installation. Also, it's entirely possible that part of the $11G was an under-the-table payment to the adjuster ~ I don't know and don't care. What's important is that it didn't cost me a penny out of pocket.

Anyway, back to the original post. That estimate seems WAY high for a plain galvanized roof, and could be remotely fair only if it covers extensive structural carpentry work before they even start the actual roofing job. Getting a second and even third opinion should clarify things.

If all the competitors agree that such a high price is required, you might consider some redesign options, either to reduce the cost or to include substantial improvements ~ you'll be rebuilding the whole top of your house anyway