Metal roof cost Vancouver: 2025 homeowner guide

Harman Singh • August 18, 2025
Metal roof cost in Vancouver (2025) — Complete Homeowner Guide | Paragon Roofing BC

Metal roof cost in Vancouver (2025)

metal roof cost Vancouver

Metal roof cost in Vancouver (2025): for a typical home, expect installed pricing around CAD $12–$28 per square foot—lower for exposed-fastener steel, higher for aluminum standing seam—plus 5% GST; PST is usually embedded in contractor materials under B.C.’s real-property rules.

  • Decide system first: exposed fastener, standing seam, or metal shingles. standing seam vs metal shingles Vancouver
  • Match metal to exposure: steel inland, aluminum near surf.
  • Budget for tear-off, flashing, underlayment, and disposal.
  • Add contingency (8–12%) for access, skylights, surprises.
  • Confirm taxes: GST on invoice; PST usually embedded.

All figures below are in Canadian dollars.

Cost snapshot table (installed, typical 2025 quotes)

Type Typical range (CAD/ft²) Where it fits best
Exposed-fastener steel (PVDF) $8–$14 Simple, steeper slopes, inland sites
Steel standing seam (PVDF) $14–$22 Most suburban homes, 2:12–12:12
Aluminum standing seam (PVDF) $18–$28 Coastal influence, near bays/surf
Stamped metal shingles (PVDF) $12–$20 Complex roofs, heritage look
Zinc (ventilated assembly) $30–$45 Premium longevity, architect-driven
Copper (full detailing) $45–$70 Landmark aesthetics, heirloom lifespan

Why 2025 costs look like this (and how to control them)

I write, price, and install metal systems across Metro Vancouver. In 2025, two forces drive the numbers you’re seeing: materials/labour inflation and climate-fit specifications. Statistics Canada shows residential construction costs still rising into Q2 2025 (roughly 1.0% quarter-over-quarter; ~3.7% year-over-year across major CMAs), so last year’s quotes often need a small step-up. See the government summary if you’re benchmarking old bids (“construction costs increased 1.0% in Q2 2025”). That’s the background hum you’re feeling in suppliers’ numbers. (StatsCan BCPI, summary release: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250724/dq250724d-eng.htm ).

The climate part is local. Vancouver’s long wet seasons, occasional wind-driven rain, and marine influence push you toward PVDF coatings, high-temp underlayment, and conservative flashings. Those improve lifespan and keep colour/gloss stable—but they add line items. You’re buying decades. Spend the dollars where they earn years.

What’s included in “installed price”

Installed price typically bundles: site protection, tear-off (if needed), deck prep/repairs, high-temp underlayment, panels/shingles, trims/flashings, fasteners/clips, sealants/closures, engineered attachment where applicable, penetrations (vents, chimneys, skylight curbs), gutters/downspouts if in scope, disposal, and labour. Crane time or scaffolding may appear on complex or tight-access sites. Solar brackets, snow retention, and structural upgrades are add-ons. Always read the inclusions page; it decides the true range.

How system choice shifts cost

Exposed-fastener steel is the budget gateway to metal: fewer forming steps, faster installs, and simple detailing keep the per-foot cost down. Standing seam—especially mechanical-lock profiles—raises the bar on weather performance, movement control, and looks; you pay more for PVDF coil, clips, and craft time. Stamped metal shingles add many small interlocks and flashings, which makes complex roofs efficient but increases seam count and labour. Zinc and copper are material-cost stories married to meticulous detailing. standing seam vs metal shingles Vancouver

Metal type vs. Vancouver exposure

Steel is strong, economical, and ideal inland/suburban sites, especially with PVDF finish. Aluminum shines near salt exposure—think open surf, inlets, or wind corridors that deliver halides; same PVDF logic applies. Zinc and copper lead on longevity and patina but demand compatible substrates, isolated dissimilar metals, and true expansion planning. If you’re coastal, aluminum often reduces long-term spend by avoiding warranty carve-outs common to coated steels near surf. (General cost context for 2025 metal roofing ranges: This Old House overview; HomeGuide standing-seam ranges. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/roofing/metal-roofing-cost ; https://homeguide.com/costs/metal-roof-cost ) metal roof rust Vancouver

Slope, shape, and penetrations: the silent multipliers

Slope controls drainage speed and the allowed profiles: many standing-seam systems are tested down to 2:12 (profile-specific); metal shingles usually want 3:12–4:12. Shape adds time and hardware. Two planes and a ridge? Cheap to cover. Hips, dormers, dead valleys, skylights, and chimney clusters? Each break needs back-pans, end dams, and precision hem work. Count penetrations before you compare bids—those details set the “why” behind a number.

Underlayment and ventilation (worth every dollar)

High-temperature, rubberised underlayment is not optional in our market. It damps movement, seals around fasteners, and tolerates the heat that dark metal skins reach in summer. Balanced ventilation (soffit intake + ridge exhaust, with baffles) keeps the deck dry, stabilizes fasteners, and protects finishes from the inside out. These lines may feel invisible; they’re lifespan multipliers.

Access and logistics

Vancouver jobs often juggle narrow lanes, mature trees, and tight property lines. Add fencing protection, material hoisting, or scaffold in the estimate. Logistics spend isn’t “overhead”; it prevents damage claims and accelerates the schedule. Time is money—yours, too.

Tear-off, deck repairs, and disposal

A single-layer shingle tear-off adds less than a double-layer tear-off. Soft decking around valleys and penetrations is common after long damp seasons; plan a repair allowance. Disposal costs scale with distance to the transfer station and weight. Ask for receipts or a flat rate—either approach is fine when documented.

Taxes in British Columbia (how they actually show up on your invoice)

In B.C., you’ll see 5% GST applied to the contract total. The 7% PST is generally paid by the contractor on materials used to improve real property, so it’s embedded in the price rather than shown as a separate line—unless a specific agreement shifts PST liability. Check the official guidance: CRA’s current GST rates list B.C. at 5%; the B.C. Ministry of Finance page for real property contractors explains the PST treatment and that contractors typically do not charge PST to customers on supply-and-install contracts. (GST rates: https://www.canada.ca/.../charge-collect-which-rate.html ; PST and real property contractors: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/.../pst-real-property-contractors )

Permits, energy rules, and why your roofing quote mentions “by-law”

Most residential re-roofs in the city are straightforward, but total renovation project value can trigger energy requirements under the Vancouver Building By-law—especially if your broader reno crosses cost thresholds. Roofing alone rarely hits those, yet if you’re bundling envelope work, read the city’s energy-upgrade table for 2025 applications. It can influence choices (ventilation, insulation, electric readiness) that share roof interfaces. (Vancouver energy-upgrade thresholds: https://vancouver.ca/.../energy-requirements-for-single-family-home-renovations.aspx )

Rebates and incentives (what exists in 2025)

There’s no stand-alone provincial rebate for “metal roofing.” However, pairing a re-roof with insulation upgrades or electrical modernization can qualify for programs under CleanBC Better Homes and utility partners (BC Hydro / FortisBC). If you plan solar or battery storage, BC Hydro’s 2025 offer is up to $10,000 combined, which sometimes overlaps with roof-timing for conduit and mounts. (CleanBC portal: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/.../rebates-and-incentives/ ; BC Hydro solar/battery rebates: https://www.bchydro.com/.../solar-battery.html )

How to budget like a pro (and avoid “install it twice”)

  1. Confirm roof area, slope, and complexity. Ask us to mark up a plan view with penetrations; numbers beat guesses.
  2. Choose the system for your slope and exposure; don’t force a profile into the wrong physics.
  3. Lock coating chemistry: PVDF holds colour and chalk ratings; cheaper resins don’t age as gracefully here.
  4. Insist on high-temp underlayment, conservative flashing, and ridge/baffle ventilation.
  5. Add a contingency: 8–12% covers hidden sheathing repairs, fastener changes for unusual decks, or a crane day.
  6. Time it smartly: off-peak scheduling can shave costs if access and weather cooperate.
  7. Ask for unit pricing on add-ons (skylights, snow retention, solar brackets). Unit lines de-stress change orders.
  8. Check the tax lines: GST on invoice; PST embedded unless otherwise specified. You’ll know what’s what.

Worked examples (plain arithmetic you can copy)

Example A — 1,800 ft² gable, 6:12, few penetrations, inland

  • Steel standing seam (PVDF) at $16/ft² midpoint = $28,800
  • Tear-off and disposal (1 layer): ~$2,200
  • Flashing/vents/skylight curb allowance: ~$1,000
  • Contingency (8%): ~$2,480
  • Subtotal:~$34,480
  • GST (5%):~~$1,724
  • Total:**~~$36,200**

Example B — 2,200 ft² hip roof, 8:12, dormers, near bay

  • Aluminum standing seam (PVDF) at $23/ft² midpoint = $50,600
  • Tear-off: ~$2,800
  • Complex flashings/valleys/back-pans: ~$3,000
  • Access/scaffold: ~$2,000
  • Contingency (10%): ~$5,840
  • Subtotal:~$64,240
  • GST (5%):~~$3,212
  • Total:**~~$67,450**

Example C — 2,000 ft² complex heritage roof

  • Stamped metal shingles (PVDF) at $16/ft² midpoint = $32,000
  • Tear-off: ~$2,400
  • Extra flashing labor (hips/dormers): ~$2,500
  • Contingency (10%): ~$3,670
  • Subtotal:~$40,570
  • GST (5%):~~$2,029
  • Total:**~~$42,600**

Where U.S. reference ranges help—and where they don’t

North-American consumer guides put standing-seam installs around USD $9–$16/ft² on average and metal in general from USD $4–$30/ft², depending on metal and system. Those are useful sanity checks, but Vancouver labour, logistics, and PVDF-everywhere specs tend to push toward the upper half in CAD. Use them for context, not for a definitive local budget. (This Old House cost overview; HomeGuide standing-seam: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/roofing/metal-roofing-cost ; https://homeguide.com/costs/metal-roof-cost )

How to get a quote that won’t drift

  • A drawing or marked-up aerial with measured square footage and slope.
  • The exact profile, gauge, and finish (PVDF called out by name).
  • Clip/fastener schedule notes for edge/corner zones.
  • Underlayment brand/type and coverage (full deck).
  • Flashing list (valleys, rakes, eaves, back-pans at penetrations).
  • Ventilation scope (intake, ridge, baffles).
  • Unit pricing for add-ons (skylights, snow retention, solar brackets).
  • Tax treatment (GST on invoice; PST embedded unless otherwise specified).

When two quotes look different by 20%, it’s usually scope or system—not a “deal.”

People Also Ask — 2025 Vancouver cost answers

How much does a metal roof cost in Vancouver in 2025?

Installed pricing generally runs $12–$28 per square foot in 2025. Exposed-fastener steel sits near the low end; aluminum standing seam near the high end. Add tear-off, complex flashings, and access costs where applicable, then 5% GST on the invoice. PST is typically embedded in contractor materials. (CRA GST; BC PST real property contractors)

Is standing seam worth the premium over exposed-fastener panels?

Yes for storm performance, longevity, and clean aesthetics. Standing seam hides fasteners, moves with temperature, and reduces maintenance on wet coasts. Expect $14–$22/ft² for steel standing seam and $18–$28/ft² for aluminum in 2025 Vancouver, depending on slope, penetrations, and access.

What does aluminum vs steel change in cost near the ocean?

Aluminum costs more but resists marine exposure better, which protects finish aesthetics and simplifies maintenance near bays or surf. Inland, PVDF-coated steel offers excellent value. Choose aluminum for shore-proximate sites; steel for inland suburbs; both need PVDF finishes for long-term colour stability.

Do I pay GST or PST on a roof replacement?

You’ll see 5% GST added to the contract total. For supply-and-install improvements to real property, contractors generally pay the 7% PST on materials and do not charge PST separately to the homeowner unless a specific agreement transfers liability. (CRA GST rates; BC “PST for real property contractors”)

Why are 2025 quotes higher than 2023–2024?

Materials, logistics, and wages nudged up. Statistics Canada reports construction costs rising into 2025 (about 1.0% in Q2; ~3.7% year-over-year across CMAs). PVDF-only specifications, high-temp underlayment, and conservative flashing—smart in Vancouver—also push quality bids upward. (StatsCan BCPI)

What roof size should I use for budgeting?

Use roof surface area, not floor area. Multiply footprint by slope factor and add eaves/overhangs. A quick rule: a 2,000 ft² home often carries 2,200–2,800 ft² of roof, depending on pitch and shape. Ask for a measured takeoff or marked-up plan—guesswork hides costs.

Will a re-roof trigger other code or energy upgrades?

Roofing alone usually doesn’t, but whole-home renos can. In Vancouver, certain total project cost thresholds trigger energy upgrades under the Building By-law. If your roof is part of a broader renovation, check the city’s table to avoid surprises. (City of Vancouver energy-upgrade thresholds)

Are there rebates for metal roofs in B.C. in 2025?

Not for “metal roofing” specifically. You can, however, stack CleanBC/utility rebates for insulation or electrification upgrades timed with roofing, and BC Hydro offers up to $10,000 combined for eligible solar and battery installs that sometimes coordinate with roof work. (CleanBC; BC Hydro)

How much should I set aside for contingencies?

Plan 8–12%. Hidden sheathing repairs, access adjustments, or added flashings are common. Complex roofs with many penetrations trend toward the higher end; simple gables closer to the lower end. A clean contingency prevents scope creep from turning into stress.

What single choice changes lifetime cost the most?

Pick the right system for your slope and exposure, then insist on PVDF finish, high-temp underlayment, and a conservative edge/corner attachment schedule. That quartet stabilizes appearance, reduces maintenance, and keeps seams honest in long, wet seasons.

Author and credentials

Written by Harman, Roofer, Paragon Roofing BC (Vancouver).

I specify, install, and inspect metal systems across Metro Vancouver’s wet, windy microclimates. My pricing and guidance prioritize climate physics, clean detailing, and lifetime value—so homeowners buy once and enjoy the roof for decades. Credentials: https://www.paragonroofingbc.ca/

References (accessed Aug 17, 2025)

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