Repairing a roof can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Don't let a contractor give you a quote without assessing the damage from both inside and outside of the home. The following factors will influence the price of a roof repair.

Roof type

The type of roof greatly influences repair costs. Roofs can be flat or sloped, high or low pitch and metal or shingled. Material costs vary greatly between roof types, and some require more labor and materials than others. The least expensive shingles are made of asphalt, and they run about $100 per 100 square feet while slate and tile shingles can go for as much as $1,000 per 100 square feet.

Permits

The city or town where you live can affect the repair costs as well. The contractor may need to pull permits for repairs. The price of the permit may be a flat rate in your area, or it could be based on your home's size or value. In some coastal areas, there is a separate permit to protect your home from hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane bracing and straps, which may be required in these areas, can add several hundred dollars to the final cost.

Size

The size of the repair is one of the biggest factors that determines the price of the job. Roofing contractors generally determine a price by the square footage of the roof. In roofing terms, a square is a 10-foot-square area. Shingles are sold by the square, so you will be charged for a square even if your repair is smaller than 10-feet square. The contractor, however, should give you leftover materials in case your roof needs to be repaired again.

Water damage

Water can quickly damage the structure of your home. This type of damage may not be obvious until the roofer has removed the shingles and inspected the decking. Repairing water damage can be expensive and inflate your final cost. However, it shouldn't be overlooked because it can lead to a total roof replacement.

Chimneys, sky lights

Chimneys and skylights can also raise the cost of a roofing job. They may need to be replaced at the same time, and you should ask your roofer to check them for damage while assessing the shingles. Even if they don't need to be replaced, the roofer will need to work around them, and this increases labor costs.

Quotes

Get roof repair cost quotes from at least three roofers before you make a hiring decision. Estimates can vary greatly between roofing companies. Be cautious if an estimate seems exceptionally low because it could mean the roofer isn't operating legally.

For more information, visit the Angie's List Guide to Roofing.