The average U.S. homeowner spends about $2,004 to repair a slate roof. Depending on the size, material, prep work, and location, most spend between $783 and $3,248.
The national slate roof repair cost is $2,004 on average, but costs can range from $783 to $3,248. Be it a fresh, modern look or a more traditional colonial or European style, slate roofing is a versatile material that offers homeowners a unique attraction. Over time, however, this natural or synthetic roofing option can come at a cost when repairs are due, so buckle up and see just how much it costs to repair your slate roof.
Many factors can impact the cost of slate roof repairs, including the size of your roof, the materials, labor, prep work, and location. Here's a breakdown of each of these factors to help you tally up your expenses.
The average cost to repair a slate roof is between $5 and $15 per square foot. If you only need a few tiles repaired, your expenses could be minor, but repairing an entire slate roof can really rack up in price.
Most roofing materials come in roofing squares, with one square equalling 100 square feet. Replacing an entire slate roof could cost upward of $15,000, but most repair projects are much smaller than this. Prices range from less than $500 for individual tile replacements to more than $7,500 for more extensive work.
Let’s look at how much your repairs could cost based on the different sizes.
| Roof Size (Roofing Square) | Roof Size (Square Feet) | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 | $500–$1,500 |
| 2 | 200 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| 3 | 300 | $1,500–$4,500 |
| 4 | 400 | $2,000–$6,000 |
| 5+ | 500 | $2,500–$7,500+ |
There are two types of slate roofing material, including natural slate and synthetic slate. On average, you’ll pay roughly $2 more per square foot on natural slate than synthetic slate.
| Type of Material | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Natural slate | $5–$15 |
| Synthetic slate | $5–$13 |
As the name suggests, natural slate roofs come from authentic stone. You’ll pay around $10 per square foot for natural slate, which has a life span of up to 100 years. This material is much heavier than most roofing materials and requires a professional to repair.
Synthetic slate comes from asphalt or composite materials like plastic polymers and rubber. It is more economical and, on average, costs $9 per square foot to repair. The material is also easier to maintain and more resistant to impact than natural slate.
Asphalt designed to look like slate costs slightly more than composite and rubber materials, but choosing a composite slate can greatly increase your roof’s life span by up to 80 years, compared to just 30 years for asphalt.
Labor for slate roofs ranges from $4 to $17 per square foot, depending on the conditions, slope, and complexity. Due to its weight and the skill level required to repair or replace it safely, slate costs $2 to $15 more per square foot to repair than other roofing materials.
Repairing underlying structural problems may require the expertise of a local structural engineer in addition to a roofing contractor. Structural engineers cost between $350 and $775 on average to hire.
Prep work can add to the cost of your project. For example, if you need to remove existing tiles, you'll need to set aside an additional $1 to $5 per square foot. If you just need to replace the mechanisms that hold the roof or gutter together, you won't necessarily need to account for the removal of your roof.
If your local roofing company needs to repair a slate roof in inclement weather, you may pay more for repairing a slate roof. This means homes in extremely hot, cold, or wet climates could face higher costs.
Meanwhile, accessibility also plays a major role in labor costs. A roof located under trees may require tree trimming services, whereas a uniquely shaped roof could require more time, effort, and money to repair.
Several different types of slate roof repairs can impact the cost of your project. Below are the most common roofing repairs.
| Roof Repair Type | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Individual slate replacement | $50–$200 |
| Flashing and fastening replacement | $600–$20,000 |
| Roof replacement | $4,200–$21,300 |
If you only need to replace individual slate tiles, you’ll spend somewhere between $50 and $200 per tile. The total cost depends on where you live and the scope of the work. Some pros include fastening reparation and sealing services while replacing tiles, which can increase the cost.
Roof flashing and fastening replacement costs anywhere from $600 to $20,000 based on the roof size and materials. Copper has one of the highest price tags, galvanized steel falls somewhere in the middle, while aluminum costs the least on average. Most slate roofs need copper flashings and fastenings, as they have a long life span. However, synthetic slate can use galvanized steel.
In some cases, your slate roof is beyond repair and needs to be replaced. Signs you need a new roof include leaks, sagging, and higher heating and cooling bills. Though the time to replace a roof can be much more labor-intensive, if your roof is over 20% to 30% damaged, it’s a good idea just to replace the entire roof. Replacing a natural slate roof costs between $4,200 and $21,300, with the size of the roof playing one of the biggest roles in how much it will cost.
Once your pro repairs your slate roof, you’ll still need to consider several ongoing costs, including inspections, cleaning, and gutter maintenance.
Roof inspections cost anywhere from $125 to $350 on average, with larger roofs or roofs with higher pitches coming in at the higher end of the price range. Having a local roof inspector conduct a roof inspection every five years helps keep your roof in tip-top shape.
Anticipate spending between $300 and $600, or between $0.20 and $0.60 per square foot, to clean your slate roof. Slate roof maintenance costs can help prevent even higher repair costs over time while keeping your roof looking beautiful. A roofing pro will typically remove debris and then use a cleaning solution to rinse off any stubborn buildup.
On top of cleaning and maintaining your roof, you may also have gutters that need routine maintenance. Gutter cleaning costs typically fall between $125 and $225.
Since labor for slate roof repairs costs anywhere from $4 to $17 per square foot, you might be tempted to save on robust projects by repairing your slate roof yourself. We don’t recommend DIYing slate roof repairs or replacements because the stone is heavy and challenging to work with, requiring the skills of a trained professional to handle it correctly. If you install slate tiles incorrectly, you could cause the tiles to crack and lead to costly water damage.
For this reason, it’s best to hire a professional slate roof installer near you. When vetting local pros, always double-check their qualifications to ensure they have experience working with slate tiles, as general roofing skills won’t cut it for this type of material.
While you’re getting your slate roof repaired, your pro may offer additional services to help tidy up and improve your roof. Several add-ons for slate roofs include:
Chimney replacement cost: $3,100 to $15,400
Gutter installation cost: $625 to $1,700
Gutter guards cost: $650 to $2,400
Roof vent boots replacement cost: $250 to $500
Siding replacement cost: $5,600 to $17,600
Solar panel installation cost: $18,400 to $36,300
Tree trimming cost: $275 to $1,800
There’s no way around it—repairing a slate roof can be a costly endeavor. But the following tips can potentially save on the cost of repairing a slate roof.
Don’t settle for one price. Instead, compare at least three contractors to choose the best roofing pro for the job.
Research each company to make sure that they do reputable work to avoid future issues and premature repairs.
Hire a pro during the off-season, like spring or winter, to potentially find lower offerings.
See if your contractor can salvage old materials and reuse them.
DIY prep work that helps clear the way for workers, like removing obstacles and trimming branches and shrubs.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
A slate roof lasts anywhere from 60 to 150 years, depending on the quality of the installation, how well you maintain it, and where you live. For example, homeowners in areas that experience lots of hail and snow may experience a shorter life span for their roofs. Choosing a reputable roofing company for the installation and for any repairs will help ensure your slate roof has a long life span.
Not all slate roofs are worth repairing. If more than 30% of your roof needs repairs, you should consider replacing vs. repairing the roof. Replacing your entire roof costs between $11,700 and $28,700 on average, but if you’re replacing slate with new slate, you could spend upward of $44,000 depending on the size. Remember that slate has one of the longest life spans, which can make this high upfront cost worth it in the long run.
