When storm season sneaks up on you or roof repairs leave a temporary hole in your home, tarping a roof is often your best defense. The average cost to tarp a roof is $450, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $3.300 depending on several factors. Let’s walk through your DIY and professional options when installing a tarp across a small or large section of your roof.
Cost Factors to Tarp a Roof
Whether you have tiles or asphalt shingles, roofs will naturally break down over time and require repairs. One of the most helpful roof replacement tips is understanding the role of a tarp when doing those repairs. Tarps also come in handy for unexpected damage and when storm clouds roll in during renovations. A few key factors will impact how much you end up paying to tarp your roof.
Roof and Area Size
The cost to tarp a roof depends on the size that requires coverage. Professionals almost always use a per-square-foot price to determine the cost while also considering the other factors below. You can expect to pay between $0.70 and $2.80 per square foot to tarp a roof.
The lower end of this range—between $0.70 and $2.00 per square foot—accounts for standard professional jobs, while you’ll pay between $1.00 and $2.80 for last-minute emergency services. Keep in mind that these prices include professional labor costs.
Let’s take a look at some common tarp and roof area sizes. Smaller tarp sizes—5 by seven feet or six by eight feet—are ideal for covering damaged shingles. Larger tarps, like ones over 100 square feet, are good for covering a large section of a damaged roof or roof under repair.
| Tarp Size (sq. ft.) | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 35 | $25–$100 |
| 48 | $30–$140 |
| 80 | $60–$225 |
| 120 | $85–$340 |
| 192 | $135–$540 |
| 600 | $420–$1,700 |
| 1,200 | $840–$3,360 |
| 1,500 | $1,050–$4,200 |
| 2,050 | $1,440–$5,800 |
| 3,000 | $2,100–$8,400 |
Tarp Thickness
Tarps come in a range of materials and thicknesses measured in mils, or one-thousandth of an inch. Tarps used for covering openings in roofs often fall between 10 and 25 mils. Thinner tarps under ten mils are best for covering items not exposed to the elements, such as furniture, before home renovations. While prices widely range by brand, keep in mind that the thicker the tarp, the higher the materials cost.
Roof Design
Whenever you hire a professional to repair your roof, they will adjust their price based on your roof’s slope, accessibility, and other design details. Roofs with steep pitches, dormer windows, or multiple ridges may cost more to tarp than one that is easy to maneuver. Contractors will need to trim and shape the tarp to accommodate features such as chimneys and vents, for example. The stability of your roof will also dictate the length and complexity of your project.
Labor
Photo: OceanProd / Adobe Stock
Professional roofers charge between $45 and $75 an hour. Between $0.60 and $2.20 of the per-square-foot cost will account for labor prices. Since this is a large percentage of your bottom line, it might be tempting to tarp the roof yourself, but hiring a professional who can tarp your roof properly could actually save you money by ensuring no water gets through.
Materials
Labor aside, you’ll pay between $0.10 and $0.30 per square foot for the tarp itself. Prices will also depend on the materials needed to secure your tarp. Cap nails, wooden battens, or waterproof tape may be necessary to keep the tarp in place. The extent of the materials needed to secure the tarp depends on the roof’s slope and your local weather. Areas with high winds and rains require more extensive installation than areas without expected storms.
Scenario
Roofers will charge rush and emergency fees for tarping a roof in extreme scenarios. If a branch, snow, or strong winds damage your roof in a storm, you will need to tarp the roof as soon as the storm passes. Emergency roofing professionals will charge between $1.00 and $2.80 per square foot for rush services. Whenever possible, be sure to take photos of roof damage before tarping the roof—and after the storm has passed—for insurance purposes.
| Scenario | Cost Range (For 1,500 square feet) |
|---|---|
| Small DIY tarping | $150–$450 |
| Standard professional tarping | $1,050–$3,000 |
| Emergency professional tarping | $1,500–$4,200 |
DIY Roof Tarping vs. Hiring a Pro
While tarping your roof yourself might be tempting, it’s best to leave this one to the pros. Not only is tarping a roof dangerous, but improper tarping can lead to extensive water damage. If you’re in a pinch and need to tarp your roof immediately, call an emergency roofing company near you to see if they can do the job.
