Average Cost of a New Roof near Forest Hills, Queens | Call Today for Free Quote

A new roof in Forest Hills, Queens typically costs between $8,500 and $28,000, with most homeowners paying around $14,500 for a standard asphalt shingle replacement on a 1,800-square-foot home. That’s the answer you came here for. But here’s what I learned after 38 years replacing roofs in this neighborhood: that number shifts dramatically based on five factors-your roof size, the materials you choose, how steep your pitch is, what we find when we tear off the old layers, and whether your house is one of those beautiful Tudors on Continental Avenue or a compact Cape near Austin Street.

The most common phone call I get at Golden Roofing? “Tony, what’s a new roof going to cost me in Forest Hills?” And I understand why folks ask it that way-you’re planning your budget, maybe getting ready to sell, or you’ve got water staining your bedroom ceiling after last month’s thunderstorm. You want a number. But giving you one flat price would be like your doctor prescribing medication without examining you first. Let me walk you through exactly how these costs break down in our neighborhood, using real examples from jobs I’ve done within five blocks of where you probably live.

Breaking Down the Real Numbers for Forest Hills Homes

Most houses around here fall into predictable categories, and I can give you pretty accurate ranges because I’ve roofed hundreds of them. Your typical Forest Hills Colonial-about 1,800 to 2,200 square feet of roof surface-runs $12,000 to $18,000 for architectural shingles, which is what 70% of my customers choose. That includes tearing off one layer of old shingles, installing new underlayment, ice and water shield along the eaves and valleys, all new flashing, and a solid warranty.

Just last spring on 69th Avenue, I replaced the roof on a 1,950-square-foot Tudor for $15,800. Standard architectural shingles, medium gray, two layers to remove (which added $1,200 to the base price), and we discovered some rotted decking around the chimney that needed replacing-another $680. The homeowner had budgeted $13,000 based on an online calculator. See the problem? Those calculators don’t account for what we actually find once we start peeling back layers.

The bigger estates closer to Forest Hills Gardens? Different story entirely. I did a slate roof replacement there two years ago-$87,000 for 4,200 square feet. Slate lasts 75 to 100 years, but the material costs $800-$1,200 per square (a “square” covers 100 square feet), and the installation requires specialized expertise. You need a structural engineer to verify your house can even handle the weight-slate is heavy.

Material Choices and What They Actually Cost in 2025

Let me break down the materials I install most often in Forest Hills, with real per-square-foot pricing:

Those numbers include labor, materials, disposal, and everything required by NYC building code. I’m pricing for a 1,800-square-foot roof with standard complexity-two gables, maybe one valley, a couple of basic vents.

Here’s what I tell customers when they’re choosing: architectural shingles represent the sweet spot for Forest Hills. They look substantially better than 3-tab, they’re warranted for decades, and they stand up to our winter ice storms and summer heat. I installed them on my own house on Yellowstone Boulevard fifteen years ago, and they still look terrific. That’s not a sales pitch-it’s what actually makes sense for 70% of the homes in this neighborhood.

The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions (Until You Get the Bill)

This is where homeowners get blindsided, and I’m going to save you from that experience right now. The “average cost” you read online almost never includes these necessary expenses:

Decking Replacement: We don’t know how much plywood needs replacing until we remove your old shingles. On homes built before 1970-and Forest Hills has plenty-I typically find 15% to 30% of the decking has water damage, soft spots, or rot. That’s $65 to $85 per sheet of plywood, and each sheet covers 32 square feet. On that Tudor I mentioned? We replaced eleven sheets. Do the math: that’s an extra $715 to $935 you didn’t budget for.

Multiple Layer Removal: NYC building code allows two layers of shingles, and many Forest Hills homes have exactly that. Removing and disposing of that second layer adds $1,000 to $2,200 to your project. I just completed a job on Ascan Avenue where we discovered three layers-someone had ignored code years ago. That removal cost $2,850 because of the additional weight and disposal fees.

Chimney Work: Those beautiful brick chimneys that give Forest Hills homes their character? They need proper flashing, and often the masonry needs repointing where it meets the roofline. Budget $650 to $1,400 per chimney for proper counter-flashing and any necessary brick repair. Skipping this is the number one reason I get called back three years later for leaks-except it’s usually a different contractor who cut corners, and now I’m fixing his mess.

Skylight Replacement or Flashing: If your skylights are more than 15 years old, replace them when we’re doing your roof. The labor to reflash them properly costs $450-$650 per skylight. But if we reflash old skylights and they fail two years later, you’re paying me to come back, remove shingles carefully, replace the skylight, and reshingle-that’s $1,200 to $1,800. Replace them now for $800 to $1,400 including the unit. It’s cheaper and smarter.

Steep Pitch Premium: Many Forest Hills homes, especially the Tudors and English Colonials, have steep roof pitches that look gorgeous but require additional safety equipment, more labor time, and specialized staging. Anything over a 7/12 pitch (that means 7 inches of rise for every 12 inches of horizontal run) adds 15% to 25% to your labor costs. That beautiful steep roof you love? It’s costing you $1,800 to $3,500 extra.

Forest Hills-Specific Factors That Affect Your Cost

Our neighborhood isn’t like Flushing or Bayside. We’ve got unique characteristics that impact roofing costs, and you should know about them before you sign a contract.

First, parking and access. Your contractor needs to park a dumpster and material delivery truck. Many Forest Hills streets have alternate side parking, resident-only zones, and narrow driveways between houses. On Continental Avenue, I’ve had to get special parking permits from the city ($150-$275) and hire a traffic management company for two days ($680) because there was literally nowhere to park the dumpster legally. That’s an extra $830 to $955 that only happens in dense neighborhoods like ours.

Second, the tree canopy. I love our trees-they’re what makes Forest Hills beautiful-but they complicate roof replacements. Overhanging branches need trimming before we start (that’s your responsibility, and it runs $350-$800 depending on the tree company). If we’re working under or near protected trees, we need additional precautions to avoid damaging them, which slows us down. Time is money in this business.

Third, the mix of architectural styles means no two roofs are identical. Your neighbor’s straightforward Colonial with two simple gables costs less per square foot than your Tudor with multiple dormers, valleys, and those decorative half-timbered peaks. I quoted two houses on Dartmouth Street last month-same square footage, both getting architectural shingles. One was $13,200. The other was $18,900. The difference? Complexity. One had two roof planes. The other had eleven, plus three valleys, four dormers, and decorative copper flashing the homeowner wanted to preserve and reinstall.

What Time of Year You Choose Matters More Than You Think

Here’s something most contractors won’t tell you because they want your business whenever they can get it: timing affects your cost and your result.

I’m busiest from late April through October. Everyone wants their roof done when the weather’s nice. My crews are scheduled solid, and frankly, I charge peak-season pricing because I can. That same roof that costs $15,800 in September? I might quote it at $14,200 in February. We still work in winter-we absolutely can install asphalt shingles down to about 40 degrees using special cold-weather installation techniques-and I’ve got the availability to schedule you quickly instead of making you wait six weeks.

But here’s the trade: winter installations require hand-sealing every shingle tab because they won’t seal themselves in cold weather (the sun normally does this in warm months). That’s more labor-intensive, which eats into my winter discount a bit. Still, I’d rather give you a fair price and keep my crews working through the slow season than jack up prices in July when everyone’s panicking about summer storms.

The absolute worst time to need a roof in Forest Hills? Right after a major storm when half the neighborhood got damaged. After Hurricane Ida in 2021, my phone rang off the hook. Emergency tarping alone was $800-$1,500. Actual roof replacements were taking 8-12 weeks to schedule (normally it’s 2-4 weeks), and material costs spiked 20% due to sudden demand. If your roof is aging but still functional, don’t wait for a crisis. Plan ahead.

Getting Accurate Estimates: What to Ask

When you call Golden Roofing or any contractor, here’s how to get a real number instead of a runaround:

Ask for an itemized estimate that separately lists materials, labor, permits, dumpster rental, and disposal fees. If a contractor gives you one lump sum, you can’t tell if you’re being overcharged on materials to hide lower-quality labor. I break everything out because I want you to see exactly where your money goes.

Get confirmation on who handles the permit. In NYC, you need a permit for most roof replacements-that’s $325 to $475 depending on the scope. Some contractors include it in their quote. Others assume you’ll handle it (you won’t-you don’t know how). I pull all permits because I know the inspectors at Queens Borough Hall, I know what documentation they want, and I don’t want your project delayed three weeks because paperwork got rejected.

Ask what warranty covers what. Manufacturers typically warranty the shingles themselves for 25-50 years. But that’s just the materials-it doesn’t cover installation errors. At Golden Roofing, I provide a 10-year workmanship warranty in writing. That means if there’s a leak because we flashed something wrong, I’m back to fix it at no charge. Many contractors offer only 1-2 years on workmanship, or they go out of business before you discover the leak. After 38 years, I’m not going anywhere.

When It Makes Sense to Spend More (and When It Doesn’t)

I talked a customer out of spending $31,000 on a slate roof last year. He loved the look, he could afford it, but here’s what I told him: “You’re 68 years old, you’re planning to downsize to a condo in five to seven years, and slate’s big advantage is lasting 80 years. You’ll never see the benefit of that investment.” He went with premium architectural shingles for $17,200, pocketed the $14,000 difference, and got a roof that looks beautiful and will last long past his ownership. That’s the right advice, even though it cost me a more profitable job.

On the other hand, I encouraged a young couple on Loubet Street to upgrade from standard architectural shingles ($14,900) to designer shingles with a slate appearance ($19,400). They’re planning to raise their kids in that house for the next 30 years. The premium look adds curb appeal, the extended warranty matches their ownership timeline, and spreading that $4,500 difference over 30 years? It’s $12.50 a month. That made sense for them.

Metal roofing is having a moment in Forest Hills, particularly standing seam in charcoal gray or bronze. It’s expensive-$24,000 to $34,000 for a typical home-but it’s virtually maintenance-free, it’s energy-efficient (reflects summer heat), and it lasts 50+ years. I installed metal on three homes near the West Side Tennis Club last year. But I’ll be honest: it doesn’t suit every Forest Hills architectural style. On a mid-century ranch? Perfect. On a 1930s Tudor? It looks wrong. Architecture matters.

The Real Cost of Hiring the Wrong Contractor

I’m going to get specific here because I’ve seen this disaster too many times. Last fall, a homeowner on Ingram Street hired a crew he found on Craigslist-$9,200 for a roof that should have cost $14,500. Seemed like a great deal until water started pouring into his living room during the first November rain. I got called to inspect, and here’s what I found: no ice and water shield, improper flashing around the chimney, valleys installed wrong, missing drip edge, and plywood that should have been replaced but wasn’t.

The “cheap” contractor was long gone. Fixing it properly cost this homeowner $16,800-more than if he’d hired a reputable company from the start. Plus he had water damage inside: ruined ceiling, damaged insulation, mold remediation. That added another $7,200. His $5,300 savings cost him $9,500 in extra expenses. I felt terrible for him.

Here’s how to protect yourself: verify the contractor is licensed and insured (in New York, that means asking for their Home Improvement Contractor license number and calling to confirm it’s active). Ask for local references, preferably in Forest Hills, and actually call them. Check how long they’ve been in business-I’ve been at this since 1986, and that longevity matters when you need warranty service ten years from now.

What Your Final Investment Should Include

When you’re comparing estimates, make sure these elements are included, not extras added later:

Complete tear-off of existing shingles and felt paper down to the decking. Full inspection of all decking with replacement of any damaged areas. New synthetic underlayment (not old-style felt-synthetic is superior in every way and adds maybe $200 to your project). Ice and water shield installed along all eaves, valleys, and around all penetrations-this is required by code and is your primary defense against ice dams and wind-driven rain. All new flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and walls. New drip edge along all eaves and rakes. Ridge venting for proper attic ventilation (this extends your shingle life and reduces energy costs). Complete cleanup and magnetic sweep of your property (those roofing nails get everywhere).

That’s a proper roof installation. Anything less is someone cutting corners, and you’ll pay for those shortcuts later.

Final Thoughts from 38 Years on Forest Hills Roofs

The average cost of a new roof near Forest Hills, Queens is $14,500. But your roof isn’t average-it’s yours, with its own size, complexity, condition, and requirements. The number that matters isn’t what your neighbor paid or what some online calculator estimates. It’s what a qualified contractor like Golden Roofing determines after actually examining your specific home.

I’ve replaced roofs on probably 400 homes within a two-mile radius of where you’re sitting right now. I know which streets have homes with multiple layers that need removal. I know which architectural styles hide complex roof structures that drive up costs. I know how long each job actually takes, not how long it’s supposed to take in theory.

If you’re thinking about a new roof-whether it’s time now or you’re planning for next year-call Golden Roofing for a free, detailed estimate. I’ll come personally, I’ll spend 30-45 minutes actually inspecting your roof and attic (not just glancing from the street), and I’ll give you an itemized quote that reflects reality, not fantasy. No pressure, no games, just honest numbers from someone who’s been doing this since before you moved to Forest Hills.

Your roof is the most important protection your home has. It deserves more than a quick online estimate and a stranger who might not be around next year. It deserves experience, quality work, and a contractor who’ll stand behind it for the long term. That’s what we’ve been doing for nearly four decades, one Forest Hills home at a time.