The Average Cost to Retile a Roof

Description

• Tile roofs can come from clay or concrete, or be sand-cast, with a durability that lasts at least 50 years or more. They are available in many designs, and typically have a reddish-brown color, though other tints are possible. They are naturally fireproof and impervious to mold, rot and insects. However, they are heavy, so roofs may need reinforcement if they are not originally designed for tiles. Only a structural engineer can determine the needed structural changes. Though tiles may last forever, the underlayment needs replacement every eight to 20 years. This requires removing the tile, replacing the underlayment and then reinstalling the old tile.

Cost

• Concrete tiles costs about $4 to $9 a square foot including installation. This puts a new roof with 2,000-square-foot at between $8,000 and $18,000. Ceramic roof tiles cost more at $6 to $12 per square foot including installation. This prices the same roof at $12,000 to $24,000. One of the factors increasing installation cost is the tile’s susceptibility to chipping or breaking. Roofers require more careful planning with these materials since they cannot walk over them like they can with asphalt shingles.

Roofers

• A large part of the cost of retiling a roof goes to labor, which differs by location. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the mean wages of roofers was $18.21 per hour as of May 2010, with lows at a mean $10.50 per hour and highs at a mean $29.14 per hour. Highest wages were in Hawaii at a mean $26.20 per hour, Connecticut at a mean $26.08 per hour and Minnesota at a mean $24.81 per hour. But lower-than-average rates were found in New Mexico at a mean $14.11 per hour, Florida at a mean $15.36 per hour and Arizona at a mean $15.25 per hour.

Contractors

• The best way to retile a roof within the specified budget and time is to hire a reliable roofing contractor. Look for all required licenses, as a well as a permanent place of business, phone number and tax identification number. His proof of insurance must include liability coverage and worker’s compensation certificates. Ask for recent and older references. Phone the recent ones and ask whether the contractor finished the work professionally and on time, and how he kept the place clean. Visit the older projects to personally inspect the quality of the roofing. Obtain estimates from several contractors, so you can find the best mix of quality and price.