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How Many Squares Can a Roofer Do in an Hour?

by Rebecca Washington

If you’re planning a roof replacement or repair in New Jersey, you’ve likely asked yourself: “How many squares can a roofer do in an hour?” This question isn’t just about speed—it directly impacts labor costs, project timelines, and contractor efficiency, all of which matter when you’re making a major investment in your home.

Roofer nailing shingles in place.

In this article, we’ll explore this roofing metric in depth, breaking down what a “square” means, how various factors affect a roofer’s speed, what’s typical in New Jersey’s roofing industry, and how this impacts homeowners’ decisions.

📏 What Is a Roofing Square?

Before we talk numbers, let’s define the term. A “square” in roofing lingo refers to 100 square feet of roof surface. So, a 2,000 square foot roof is 20 squares. Roofers often estimate both labor and material quantities using this unit, making it a cornerstone metric of roofing estimates in New Jersey and beyond.

👷‍♂️ So… How Many Squares Can a Roofer Install in an Hour?

On average, a single experienced roofer can lay 1 to 3 squares per hour depending on the complexity of the job. That number may increase slightly in optimal conditions with a full crew but can drop if complications arise.

🧱 Factors That Affect Roofer Output Per Hour:

  1. Roof Type & Pitch:
    • Steep-sloped roofs (common in older NJ colonial homes) slow workers down.
    • Low-slope or flat roofs allow faster installation.
  2. Roofing Material:
    • Asphalt shingles, popular in New Jersey suburbs like Edison, Princeton, and Cherry Hill, are faster to install—up to 3 squares per hour.
    • Metal roofing or tile? You’re looking at 0.5 to 1 square per hour.
  3. Weather Conditions:
    • High humidity or sudden rain (not uncommon in New Jersey’s unpredictable spring) slows productivity or halts it altogether.
  4. Crew Size and Coordination:
    • A well-coordinated team of 4–6 pros might collectively install 10–20 squares per hour, assuming tear-off and underlayment are already complete.
  5. Tear-off or Layover:
    • Removing old shingles can cut productivity in half.
    • Layovers (if code permits) can double speed but reduce longevity.
  6. Obstructions and Roof Complexity:
    • Chimneys, dormers, valleys, and skylights—frequent in homes around Montclair or Hoboken—require meticulous labor, slowing progress.

📍 New Jersey Roofing Labor Rates & Time Efficiency

In New Jersey, roofing is a high-skill, moderately labor-intensive trade with hourly labor rates typically ranging from $45 to $90 per roofer, depending on the company and city. Since most roofers work in crews, their output per hour is better measured as team productivity rather than individual speed.

🧮 Sample Estimate:

  • Crew Size: 4 roofers
  • Average Output: 2 squares per roofer/hour
  • Total Output: 8 squares/hour
  • For a 20-square roof in Newark: ~2.5 to 3 hours of installation (weather permitting)

Visit roofing contractor for more.

🔍 Why Should Homeowners Care About Roofing Speed?

It might sound like insider baseball, but knowing how many squares a roofer can complete per hour affects:

  • Labor costs (you’re billed by the hour or square)
  • Downtime risks due to weather delays
  • Scheduling disruptions in multifamily or HOA properties
  • Choosing the right contractor based on transparency and project planning

Plus, if you’re comparing quotes across contractors in Middletown, Morristown, or Jersey City, understanding productivity gives you leverage in negotiations. A roofer that completes a job faster may not always be cheaper—but they may finish before the next rainstorm hits.

🧠 Pro Tips for Homeowners in New Jersey:

✅ Ask Your Contractor:

  • “What’s your average square-per-hour rate for this type of job?”
  • “Do you bring your own tear-off team or subcontract it?”
  • “Is there a weather contingency plan in place?”

🧰 Prepare for Delays:

Summer storms and winter freezes are notorious in North and Central Jersey. A job that could take a day in July may stretch into two or more in December.

💬 Read Reviews:

Efficiency often shows in client feedback. Reviews mentioning “quick turnaround,” “on-time completion,” or “smooth process” reflect well-organized teams.

🏘️ Regional Insights: North vs. South Jersey Roofing Dynamics

  • North Jersey (e.g., Paterson, West Orange): Older architecture and steep roofs mean slower square-per-hour averages. Expect 1–2 squares/hour per roofer.
  • Central Jersey (e.g., New Brunswick, Edison): Mixed housing types, moderate complexity. Averages hover at 2–2.5 squares/hour.
  • South Jersey (e.g., Cherry Hill, Toms River): More new builds with simple layouts mean higher productivity, up to 3 squares/hour.

Knowing this can help homeowners time their projects smartly or adjust expectations based on local housing stock.

💸 Does Faster Mean Cheaper?

Not always. While a high-output crew can finish a job quicker, that speed might come with higher per-hour rates or lower attention to detail. It’s essential to balance speed, quality, and cost transparency.

Example:

  • Roofer A charges $75/hour, installs 3 squares/hour = $25/square labor
  • Roofer B charges $55/hour, installs 1.5 squares/hour = ~$37/square labor

Faster isn’t always more expensive—and slower isn’t always cheaper.

📣 Final Take: What’s a Good Benchmark?

For asphalt shingles in New Jersey, the sweet spot is 2–2.5 squares per roofer per hour, weather permitting. A well-equipped crew should aim for 20–30 squares in a full workday, allowing for prep, cleanup, and breaks.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can DIY roofers hit the same output?
A: Nope. Even experienced DIYers max out at 0.5–1 square/hour due to lack of crew, tools, and experience—plus safety risks.

Q: How do roofers hit such high numbers?
A: They use pneumatic nailers, conveyor lifts, scaffolding, and efficient division of labor: tear-off crew, install crew, and finishers.

Q: Is the per-square rate negotiable in NJ?
A: Yes. Roofing contractor often provide a per-square labor quote based on anticipated speed. Getting 2–3 estimates is smart.

📌 Conclusion: Timing, Terrain & Technique Matter

So, how many squares can a roofer do in an hour? The real answer: It depends—but in New Jersey, 1 to 3 squares per hour is the norm. With factors like pitch, weather, crew size, and material type playing a role, understanding this metric helps homeowners plan smartly, compare bids more accurately, and protect their investments.

Whether you’re roofing in Trenton, Hackensack, or Cape May, a bit of knowledge goes a long way in maximizing both value and peace of mind.