How Much Does a Slate Roof Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $4,385 - $21,843
A slate roof costs around $12,973 on average, and most projects total between $4,385 and $21,843, depending on roof size, style, and more.
On average, a slate roof costs around $12,973, but prices can range anywhere from $420 to $44,000 depending on a few factors, including the size of your roof, your location, whether you need structural reinforcements to support the heavy roofing material, and more. In this article, we’ll discuss slate roof costs more in-depth and discuss the different cost factors to help you get an accurate estimate for your roofing project.
- Average
- $12,973
- Low end
- $420
- high end
- $44,000
Size of Slate Roof
Slate roofs cost between $10 and $30 per square foot for materials and labor, so the size of your roof can play a major role in the total installation cost. In most cases, roofing companies will charge by the roofing square, which covers 100 square feet, and the cost per roofing square for slate roofs sits between $1,000 and $3,000.
Given the high cost of a slate roof, it’s common to use slate as an accent roofing material, which means the roof square footage you’re covering will often be lower than the full size of your roof. It’s a good idea to have a roofer measure your roof slopes for a more accurate price, and keep in mind that you might also need to budget for replacing the other sections of your roof with a different material.
| Roof Square Footage | Slate Roof Cost |
|---|---|
| 100 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| 250 | $2,500–$7,500 |
| 500 | $5,000–$15,000 |
| 750 | $7,500–$22,500 |
| 1,000 | $10,000–$30,000 |
Roofer Costs
In most cases, you can expect to pay somewhere between 40% and 50% of the total installation cost for labor alone or somewhere between $1,800 and $10,900. Installing a slate roof is more labor intensive than most other types, not only because the materials are heavier and more challenging to work with but also because slate requires special fasteners that make the installation take longer.
You can expect labor costs to increase if you have a complex roof style with hips, valleys, or dormers that complicate the process.
Cost by Location
The cost of a slate roof will vary by location for two reasons. First, labor charges will often be higher in areas with a higher cost of living. Totals will tend to be higher in major metropolitan areas as a result. Additionally, since slate is a natural material, the distance from a quarry or mine to your area will affect the material costs, with prices increasing for delivery the further away from a source of slate you are.
| State | Average Slate Roof Cost |
|---|---|
| California | $18,600 |
| Florida | $13,200 |
| Georgia | $11,700 |
| Illinois | $11,900 |
| Michigan | $11,800 |
| New York | $15,700 |
| North Carolina | $12,600 |
| Ohio | $12,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $12,200 |
| Texas | $11,800 |
Additional Slate Roof Cost Factors
There are a few other cost factors you should consider if you want to arrive at the most accurate estimate possible for your slate roof.
Material
You can choose between natural and synthetic slate for your new roof, both of which offer the look of slate but different life spans and installation costs.
Natural slate comes from quarries or mines and can cost anywhere from $10 to $30 per square foot to install. High-end slate will often cost toward the upper end of that price range. Natural slate is more expensive, but it can last for up to 200 years, so it can provide greater long-term value for the money than any other roofing material.
Synthetic slate looks like natural slate but can consist of a variety of materials made to look like slate, including metal, plastic, and even high-end asphalt shingles. Synthetic slate costs between $10 and $15 per square foot. While it’s more affordable, it doesn’t have the same life span and lasts for around 50 to 100 years.
Type of Slate Roof
There are five types of slate shingles you can install on your roof. Natural slate will typically be the most expensive, while bituminous and concrete tiles made to look like slate are the most affordable.
| Type of Slate Roof | Cost (per Sq. Ft.) |
|---|---|
| Bituminous | $10–$15 |
| Concrete | $10–$20 |
| Metal | $15–$25 |
| Natural | $20–$30 |
| Synthetic | $10–$15 |
Structural Reinforcement
Slate roofs weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds per roofing square (100 square feet), which makes them two to four times heavier than a standard asphalt roof. As such, you might need to pay for structural reinforcement for your roof system to ensure your home can support the heavier load. Your cost will vary widely based on your roof size and existing structural components, but you could pay anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 for this work alone.
Old Roof Removal
Installing a slate roof over existing roof material is possible, but it’s usually best to remove the old roof first. If you’re having a roofing professional add this to the cost of the new roof, you can expect to pay an additional $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the type of roof you need removed and the size. Heavier materials like old slate or clay tile will tend to be more expensive due to higher disposal costs.
Roof Deck Repairs
When your professional is removing your old roof, there’s a chance they’ll find damage to the decking material underneath, including rotting or mold growth if you’ve had past roof leaks. You may need to budget between $2 and $5 per square foot that needs replacement.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Install a Slate Roof
It’s possible to install a slate roof yourself, and doing so will save you an average of between $1,800 and $10,900 in most cases. However, we strongly recommend hiring a local roofing company that specializes in slate roof installation to carry out the work for a few reasons.
First, slate is a heavy and fragile material, so hauling it up to your roof and installing it while minimizing breakage is exceedingly challenging. You can easily crack the slate by walking on it, which complicates the installation and can drive up material costs for DIYers who make mistakes.
Working on the roof is also always dangerous, and mistakes during the installation can lead to expensive water damage, mold growth, indoor air quality issues, and more. While the labor costs for a roofer who installs slate roofing are expensive, the investment is almost always worthwhile for peace of mind. Many roofing manufacturers will also void warranty coverage on roofs that aren’t professionally installed, so overall, it’s a good idea to hire a pro.
Slate Roof Replacement vs. Repair
In almost all cases, a roof repair is going to be significantly more affordable than a total replacement, and since slate roofing can last for more than 100 years, chances are a repair is going to be an option for you, as your roof is more likely to have a long remaining life span that makes a partial repair worthwhile.
Generally speaking, slate roof repairs cost around $2,000, which is significantly less expensive than a full replacement, which averages around $12,973.
How to Save Money on the Cost of a Slate Roof
Installing a slate roof can quickly get expensive, sometimes totaling up to $44,000. There are a couple of things you can do to help keep installation costs to a minimum.
Choose synthetic slate over natural slate. Synthetic slate, which can consist of a variety of materials made to look like traditional slate roofing, costs about half what you’d pay for natural slate roofing. You’ll see less value overall because the life span is significantly shorter, but you’ll also save an average of more than $6,400 on the upfront installation costs.
Hire a professional for the actual installation. Hiring a professional roofing contractor to complete your roof replacement will cost more up front, but you’ll also be far more likely to avoid severe property damage from mistakes you might make when DIYing the work. With the addition of roof warranties from a pro, hiring an expert is almost always worth the investment.
Does a Slate Roof Increase Home Value?
In almost all cases, installing a slate roof will drastically improve your home value. Slate roofs can last for between 100 and 200 years, and they often add more to your home’s curb appeal than a more traditional asphalt roof, so many home buyers will be willing to pay a premium for a home with a slate roof, especially if you have it installed by a professional that includes a lengthy warranty.
In most cases, you can expect an ROI of between 60% and 70% when you install a slate roof, which is often a bit higher than you’d get from an asphalt roof.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When maintained properly, a natural slate roof can last multiple generations, often lasting for at least 100 years and sometimes double that. You’ll pay more up front but won’t have to worry about installing a new roof every 30 years as you would with an asphalt shingle roof. Additionally, slate roofs are more aesthetically pleasing than many other roof types, so they’re more likely to color a buyer’s opinion of your property in a positive light, which can lead to a higher sale price in many cases.
Natural slate roofs can last anywhere from 50 to 200 years, and it depends on the hardness of the slate. Hard slate can last anywhere from 100 to 200 years. Soft slate will last anywhere from 50 to 125 years, and synthetic slate lasts between 50 and 100 years. Slate is prone to cracking on impact—whether it’s from a tree branch or walking around on your roof while making other repairs, so longevity depends on your climate and the maintenance you carry out on your roof.
You should avoid walking on a slate roof. Though the material is highly durable, it can crack under the pressure of your feet, and the surface of the slate tiles can become extremely slippery when they get wet. Walking on a slate roof is, therefore, more dangerous than walking on something like asphalt shingles, both in terms of personal injury and property damage. If you do have to work on your slate roof, hire a pro. Most contractors use special equipment to avoid putting pressure on slate tiles.