Estimated total
$17,309–$34,605
Squares
18.45 · Tile
Project details
Roof footprint
Section 1
Footprint: 1500 sq ftRoof area: 1677 sq ft
Total roof area1677 sq ft · 16.77 squares
Roofing material
Clay / Concrete Tile — Heavy — verify roof structure can support. 50–100 yr lifespan. Common in Southwest/coastal.
Optional override
Tear-off & decking
Older roofs may have 2-3 layers
$50–$100/sheet (4×8 = 32 sq ft)
Underlayment & flashing
Auto: 80 lf (half perimeter for eaves)
0 if no valleys (simple gable)
Penetrations
$40–$80 each
$200–$500 each
$200–$400 each
Permits & labor
Cost breakdown
Itemized for your selected configuration.
Clay / Concrete Tile · 18.45 squares × $700/sq$7,379 – $18,447
Underlayment · 5 rolls$125 – $300
Ice & water shield · 80 lf$120 – $280
Drip edge · 160 lf$240 – $480
Ridge cap · 50 lf$100 – $250
Ridge vent · 50 lf$400 – $750
Penetrations · 4 vents + 0 skylights + 1 chimney$360 – $720
Tear-off · 16.77 sq × 1 layer$1,677 – $2,516
Building permit$200 – $800
Pro labor · 16.77 sq × $400–$600/sq$6,708 – $10,062
Total project cost$17,309 – $34,605
50-year cost of ownership
Your same roof across all 7 materials, accounting for replacement cycles.
| Material | One install | Lifespan | Re-roofs | 50-yr total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-tab | $9,950 | 18 yr | 3× | $29,849 |
| ArchitecturalCHEAPEST 50-YR | $10,738 | 28 yr | 2× | $21,476 |
| Corrugated metal | $18,326 | 45 yr | 2× | $36,653 |
| Standing seam | $24,112 | 60 yr | 1× | $24,112 |
| TileYOUR PICK | $25,957 | 75 yr | 1× | $25,957 |
| Slate | $37,696 | 125 yr | 1× | $37,696 |
| EPDM | $11,392 | 25 yr | 2× | $22,784 |
💡 Asphalt looks cheapest until you factor in 2–3 replacement cycles. Metal and slate often win over 50 years.
Shopping list
Major roofing materials.
- Clay / Concrete Tile18.45 squares
- Synthetic underlayment rolls5
- Ice & water shield80 lf
- Drip edge (10' lengths)16 pieces
- Ridge cap shingles or coil50 lf
- Ridge vent (4' sections)13 pieces
- Pipe & vent flashings4
- Step & counter flashing20 lf
- Roofing nails (1.25" galvanized)74 lbs
- Roofing cement (10 oz tubes)4 tubes
- Roofing shovel & tarps for tear-offSet
- Safety harness, ladder, knee padsSet
- Dumpster rental (10–20 yard)1
Get quotes
Get 3+ itemized quotes from licensed, insured roofing contractors in your area.
Pro tips
Verify the roof structure first. Clay/concrete tile weighs 600-1,100 lbs per square — 3-5× asphalt's weight. Older homes built for asphalt may need engineered reinforcement before going tile. Cost of reinforcement: $3,000-$10,000.
Underlayment is what fails, not the tile. Tile itself lasts 50-100 years. The underlayment beneath fails at 20-40 years. When re-roofing tile, you can often lift and reset the existing tiles, just replacing the underlayment underneath. Saves 60% of the material cost.
Hire tile-specific roofers. Tile installation is a specialty — generic roofers will damage the brittle tiles. Always hire experienced tile roofers. Ask to see 3-5 years of portfolio work specifically with clay/concrete tile.
Frequently asked questions
Clay tile vs. concrete tile?▾
Clay: more expensive ($400-$1,000/sq), 75-100 year lifespan, fade-resistant colors, classic look. Concrete: cheaper ($300-$700/sq), 50-75 year lifespan, can fade. Both perform structurally the same.
Cost of tile roof installation?▾
Materials: $400-$1,000/square. Labor: $400-$700/square (specialty work). Total: $800-$1,700/square installed. A 2,500 sq ft roof with tile: $25K-$60K.
Can tile roof crack?▾
Yes — primarily from foot traffic during maintenance or impacts from falling branches. Walking on tile is risky (use roof ladder hooks). Cracked tiles are individually replaceable — keep a stack of spare tiles from the original install.
How long does a tile roof last?▾
The tiles: 50-100 years for concrete, 75-100+ for clay. The underlayment beneath: 20-40 years (this fails first, prompting re-underlayment with tile re-set). Total system: 50-75 years between major work.
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Disclaimer. This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. Actual material quantities and costs may vary based on site conditions, material availability, and local pricing.