A tile roof costs more upfront than shingle, and the price swings widely with the details. The biggest factors are clay versus concrete tile, the size and pitch of the roof, whether the old roof needs a tear-off, the underlayment going under the tile, and any wood repair found once it is opened up. On the plus side, a well-built tile roof can last fifty years or more, so the cost is spread over a long life. The only accurate number comes from a look at your roof.
Two homes on the same street can get very different tile quotes, and it is usually for good reasons. Clay tile costs more than concrete. A steep or complex roof takes more labor and safety setup than a simple one. A tear-off of the old roof adds disposal and time, while going over is cheaper but not always allowed. The underlayment beneath the tile matters a lot, since that is the real waterproof layer and the part that wears out first. And once the roof is open, any soft or rotted wood found in the deck has to be replaced before the new tile goes down.
Because tile itself is heavy and long-lived, much of what you pay for is the labor and the layers underneath, not just the tile on top. If your tile is mostly fine and only leaking in spots, a tile roof repair costs a fraction of a full replacement, and a roof inspection tells you which one you actually need.
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Clay vs concrete tile | Clay costs more |
| Roof size and pitch | Larger and steeper costs more |
| Tear-off vs overlay | Tear-off adds disposal and labor |
| Underlayment grade | Better felt, higher cost, longer life |
| Hidden wood repair | Adds cost, found once opened |
Tile is durable, so many tile roofs do not need full replacement even when they leak. Often the tile is sound and only the underlayment beneath has aged out, which is a reroof of the waterproof layer while the same tile is lifted and reset. If you are weighing your options, our pages on roof replacement and reroofing explain the difference, and if you are still deciding between tile and other materials, see tile versus shingle roofing. For a real number on your home, an estimate is the honest starting point.
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