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How Much Does Roof Tarping Cost in 2025?
Normal Range: $150 - $3,300
Roof tarping costs an average of $450, and depending on the size and complexity of the job, it ranges between $150 and $3,300. A roofing pro can evaluate your roof and provide an estimate.
How we get this data
Highlights
Temporary roof tarping prevents interior home damage while you plan for permanent repairs.
The main cost factors include roof size, labor rates, and whether you need an emergency service.
Check with your homeowners insurance to see if they cover emergency roof tarping, and document the damage.
Most homeowners cannot safely DIY this project, so hire a roofing pro.
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This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
When your roof sustains damage from storms or a fallen tree, a temporary tarp installation can prevent costly interior water damage. The national average for roof tarping is $450, though prices range from $150 to $3,300. Your overall cost depends on the square footage of the area, the type of repair, labor, and materials.
Review the breakdown below before an emergency strikes so you’re better prepared to budget for a roof tarping installation in the future.
Cost Factors
Understanding what affects roof tarping prices can help you evaluate quotes from roofing professionals. Several key elements influence your final cost.
Type of Repair
Different types of roof damage require varying approaches to tarping at different price points. The extent of the damage directly impacts the materials needed and how challenging the installation will be.
The costs for small repairs covering minor roof leaks are on the lower end of the spectrum. However, more extensive damage over large sections of the roof will cost more. The price increases with the square footage and the complexity of the installation.
A professional assessment is crucial to determine the appropriate tarping solution for your specific situation. Most roofers will evaluate the damage and recommend the most effective temporary protection for your home.
Temporary Patching
When dealing with small leaks or isolated damage, temporary patching offers a quick solution. These smaller repairs help stop water infiltration until permanent fixes can be arranged. While less extensive than full tarping, even small leaks require prompt attention to prevent structural or interior damage.
Partial Tarping
For situations with multiple missing shingles or moderate damage, partial tarping provides essential protection. This level of repair covers sections of the roof rather than the entire surface. Addressing these issues quickly helps keep the damage from spreading during rain or snow.
Full Tarping
Severe weather events or fallen trees can cause extensive roof damage requiring full or large-section tarping. These major repairs are urgent, especially when large portions of the roof are compromised. While tarping provides a temporary defense, planning for permanent repairs should begin immediately in these cases.
Type of Roof Tarp
Tarps come in various thicknesses ranging from 10 to 25 mils for roof applications (with a mil measuring one-thousandth of an inch). The right type of tarp will depend on your local weather conditions and how long it will need to remain in place.
Thinner tarps between 10 and 15 mils work for covering openings and short-term protection in mild weather conditions. Thicker options between 15 and 25 mils offer greater durability in severe weather or when repairs might be delayed. Some tarps also feature UV resistance, which is beneficial in sunny climates to stop premature degradation.
While thinner tarps cost less initially, they may require replacement sooner if permanent repairs are delayed.
Brand
For most residential tarping projects, brand distinctions are less important than the tarp's thickness and overall quality. Professional roofing contractors use commercial-grade tarps regardless of brand name.
Some specialty brands offer features like enhanced reinforcement or superior UV protection, but these rarely justify significant price increases for temporary installations. Focus instead on appropriate thickness and proper installation for effective and short-term defense.
Size
One of the most significant cost factors is the square footage requiring coverage. Most professionals price tarping by the square foot, with rates varying based on the roof's design and the urgency of the project.
| Coverage Area (Square Feet) | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 35 | $100–$150 |
| 48 | $150–$200 |
| 80 | $175–$225 |
| 120 | $200–$340 |
| 192 | $225–$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 |
Tarping larger sections requires more materials and time, directly increasing costs. To estimate your needs, measure the damaged area's length and width, then multiply them to find the square footage. Adding about 10% extra accounts for overlapping areas and materials to secure the anchoring around the edges.
Materials
While the tarp is the primary material, proper installation requires additional components to ensure the tarp stays secure, especially in windy conditions.
Depending on thickness and quality, roofing tarps cost about $0.10 to $0.30 per square foot (excluding labor). Your roofing professional may also use cap nails, wooden battens, or waterproof tape to secure the tarp effectively. The type of securing materials you use will vary based on your roof's design and local weather conditions.
Quality materials are essential even for temporary solutions. Inadequately secured tarps can tear loose during storms, potentially causing more damage than the original issue.
Labor
Professional roofers charge $45 to $75 per hour for tarping services, which translates to about $0.60 to $2.50 per square foot. Most residential tarping projects take between 2 and 4 hours to complete, though complex roofs or extensive damage may take longer.
Emergency or after-hours service significantly increases labor rates, often by 1 1/2 to 2 times the standard rate. This premium reflects the urgency and inconvenience of an immediate response. Whenever possible, scheduling even a day in advance can substantially reduce your costs.
Accessibility
Complicated roof structures with steep pitches, dormer windows, bump-outs, or other architectural features require more materials and careful installation. Hard-to-reach or particularly high roof sections may require special equipment, increasing labor expenses.
Additional Repair Costs
When tarping a roof, professionals may recommend additional services to keep your home safe. These supplementary services help assess the damage and catch issues.
| Roof Repair or Service | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Tree removal | $200–$2,000 |
| Roof inspection | $125–$360 |
| Roof repairs | $390–$1,930 |
| Full roof replacement | $5,900–$13,200 |
| Water damage remediation | $1,400–$6,300 |
A thorough roof inspection costs $125 to $360 and can identify hidden damage that might not be immediately visible. An inspection is recommended after emergency tarping to assess the full extent of the damage. If fallen branches caused the initial roof damage, tree removal services may be necessary and range between $200 and $2,000.
Addressing water damage quickly prevents mold and structural issues for homes with interior water infiltration. Depending on how much of the home is affected, water damage remediation costs between $1,400 and $6,300.
While these services increase your costs, they can help you avoid more expensive repairs down the road and provide valuable documentation for insurance claims. A roof repair pro can let you know which fixes are of the highest priority. In extreme cases, your pro might recommend a full roof replacement for $5,900 to $13,200.
DIY Roof Tarping vs. Hiring a Pro
While handling the tarping yourself might seem cost-effective, it comes with significant safety risks. Roof work involves significant fall risks, especially on wet or damaged surfaces. Hire a roofing professional with extensive training and the safety equipment to minimize these concerns.
If the tarping isn’t installed properly, it could lead to further damage to the roof and the inside of the home. Remember that roof tarps are temporary solutions that last about 90 days before degrading. Planning for permanent repairs should begin immediately, regardless of who installs the tarp.
Budgeting for Roof Tarping
Before starting your roof tarping project, keep these tips in mind to help manage your budget.
Buy materials yourself: Purchase tarps and securing materials before your pro arrives to install them to avoid a potential markup.
Avoid emergency services: Schedule tarping in advance when possible, potentially saving around $500 by avoiding emergency rates.
Get multiple quotes: Contact at least three local roofing professionals to get competitive pricing and compare quotes.
Consider annual inspections: Having a pro inspect your roof once a year can identify potential issues before they become more costly and require emergency tarping. The average roof inspection costs $240.
Document your project for insurance: Take photos and keep receipts for insurance claims if the damage resulted from a covered event.
Plan for permanent repairs: Roof tarps have a 90-day effective lifespan, so you’ll need to plan ahead for repairs that will permanently resolve the issue.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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