🔨 Roof Truss Cost Calculator

Understanding Roof Truss Types and Costs

Engineered wood trusses are prefabricated structural components designed to span the full width of a building without interior load-bearing walls. They are manufactured in controlled factory conditions, which ensures consistent quality and structural performance.

Standard Gable Trusses are the most common and most affordable type. They have a triangular shape with a flat bottom chord (ceiling) and two sloped top chords (roof surface). For spans under 40 feet and standard pitches, these are the economical default choice at $80–$250 each.

Scissor Trusses create vaulted or cathedral ceiling effects by sloping the bottom chord inward. The bottom chord pitch is typically half the roof pitch (e.g., a 6/12 roof pitch creates a 3/12 ceiling slope). These are significantly more complex and expensive than standard trusses but far cheaper than custom stick-framing a vaulted ceiling.

Attic Storage Trusses have a raised lower section that creates a floor-level platform for storage or a finished bonus room. They require larger lumber and more complex engineering, adding 40–80% to the cost of standard trusses.

• Gable: $80–$250 — standard roofs, most affordable
• Scissor: $120–$300 — vaulted ceilings, cathedral looks
• Attic: $150–$400 — storage or bonus room overhead
• Hip: $200–$600 per set — complex geometry, all-hip roofs

Truss Installation and Lead Times

Ordering roof trusses requires advance planning. Unlike dimensional lumber available at any home center, engineered trusses are custom-manufactured to your exact specifications and typically require 3–6 weeks lead time.

What you need to order trusses: Building width (span), building length, desired pitch, overhang dimensions, spacing, and any special loading requirements (snow load, tile roofing). Some manufacturers also need ceiling type and bearing wall locations.

Delivery and crane costs: Trusses are typically delivered on a flatbed truck and set with a crane or boom truck. For a standard house, crane rental runs $600–$1,200 for a half-day. The crane cost is often worth it — attempting to set trusses without proper equipment is dangerous and time-consuming.

Installation labor: Professional truss installation runs $50–$100 per truss, not including crane rental. A crew of 3–4 experienced framers can typically set an entire house of trusses in one day. Truss installation also requires bracing according to the Truss Plate Institute (TPI) guidelines — temporary bracing during installation and permanent lateral bracing are both required components.

Span reference table: Under 24 ft: $80–$120 each, 24–36 ft: $100–$200 each, 36–48 ft: $150–$300 each, 48–60 ft: $250–$500 each, over 60 ft: custom engineering required, $400+.