How Much Does Slate Roof Repair Cost in 2024?

Slate Roof Repair Cost Factors

Keep these key factors in mind when estimating the cost of repairing slate roof damage on your home. 

Types of Repairs

Maintenance and repair are usually sufficient for most slate roofs. However, slate roof popularity peaked before 1925, making many slate roofs along the eastern United States at least 100 years old. That often puts them near the end of their expected lifespans. Real slate roofs require a professional assessment to determine the need for repairs, maintenance, restoration, or a complete replacement. 

Get a field survey to assess:

• Broken or missing shingles

• Condition of delamination

• Condition of fasteners and underlayments

• Flashing and gutter condition

Replace Individual Slates

Replacing a slate tile can range from $50 to $200, depending on the cost of local slate roof repair services and the specific procedure. For example, roofers may need to repair the surrounding fastenings when replacing a slate. They also commonly include sealing in a slate replacement.

Replacing individual slates is the most common and least expensive repair for a slate roof. A few cracked slate tiles may not cause leaks immediately, but replacing them may avoid more expensive future repairs. Hire a roofer with specific experience in slate tiles to inspect your roof and perform routine maintenance.

Replace Flashings

Flashing prevents water from leaking through gaps in the primary roofing material, especially chimneys and vents. It protects your home from the weather, working with the shingles wherever there’s an angle that a shingle can’t fit, such as valleys, edges, chimneys, and walls.

Replacing flashings on a slate roof costs $600 to $20,000, depending on the size of the roof repairs and the flashing materials. Replacing flashings is a common repair, though it’s more expensive than replacing slates. Natural slate roofs typically use copper flashing because it lasts as long as slate.

Along with copper, flashings and flashing materials generally contain malleable metal, such as galvanized steel, lead, or tin. Synthetic materials might use standard flashing techniques used on asphalt roofs but often include copper for the authentic look.

Replace Fastenings

Fastenings attach slate tiles to the roof. Fastenings are usually made of copper, steel, or galvanized steel. A slate roof doesn’t generally require replacement of the fasteners, provided it’s receiving regular, professional maintenance. However, excessive moisture can cause them to deteriorate, adding to your slate roof repair costs.

• Natural slate roofs use copper roofing nails since they’ll last as long as the slate. Sometimes, copper hooks are used, but this is less common. Stainless steel nails and hooks can be used.

• Synthetic slate roofs use a typical galvanized roofing nail or hook. Some types of fastenings also require wire in addition to the primary fastener.

Repair Project Size

While the average cost to repair slate roof damage ranges from $783 and $3,248, slate roof repair cost depends on how much of the roof needs to be repaired or replaced. Replacing one or two individual slate tiles may only cost $400, but bigger repair projects spanning a larger portion of the roof and involving new flashings cost up to $20,000. 

Labor Costs

The cost of labor makes up a significant portion of your slate roof repair budget. For labor alone, contractors may charge anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour, depending on the complexity of the project. Instead of an hourly rate, they may charge $4 to $17 per square foot for labor. The cost to hire a local structural engineer is $350 to $775. 

Slate Roof Repair Cost by Material

Slate roof repairs can cost twice as much as other common roof repairs, depending on whether the slate is real or synthetic. Synthetic roofing material prices tend to be less expensive, but only by about $2 per square foot. 

The procedures for maintaining and repairing a slate roof are generally the same, but there are a few differences depending on the specific type of slate. Furthermore, several alternative materials may be considered when a replacement is necessary. These materials provide the look of slate but are less expensive.

Synthetic Slate

Synthetic slate costs $5 to $13 per square foot to repair. It’s usually made from composite materials such as plastics and rubber, and repairs may only involve replacing a shingle or two. Consider replacing it if it's near the end of its lifespan, which varies based on the material. Synthetic slate is:

• Slightly less expensive to maintain than natural slate 

• Slightly more impact-resistant than stone, meaning you shouldn’t need to repair it as often

• Better suited for lower-angle roofs 

• Expected to last up to 80 years with regular maintenance

• A better choice for modern homes that need an upgraded look

Synthetic slate materials come in two different varieties: asphalt and composite. 

Asphalt

Slate-style asphalt shingle repair costs $600 to $1,600. While not a true slate look-alike, it’s a viable alternative. Asphalt shingles are cut in a slate or shake style and last about 30 years.

Composite

Composite and rubber slate repairs cost $300 to $1,000. Composite tiles are made from plastics and rubber, often with recycled materials. They make up the majority of synthetic slate and last up to 80 years.

Natural Slate

Installing natural slate shingles costs more than synthetic, but repair costs are similar. Natural stone has a long life—up to 200 years—so the materials used with it need to last just as long. Roofing nails, hooks, and flashing are typically made of copper, though stainless steel is often suitable.

Natural slate characteristics:

• Lasts four times as long as synthetics.

• Tends to delaminate and deteriorate faster on lower-sloped roofs.

• Lasts longer than any other roofing material.

Real slate roofs weigh about twice as much as synthetic slate, so the roof framing needs to be reinforced to support them. Repairs to natural slate roofs cost $5 to $15 per square foot, about $2 per square foot more than synthetic slate.

Types of Natural Slate

All slate is made of stone, but its specific characteristics directly affect its lifespan. Hardness is the most important characteristic of durability. Mineral composition and impurities in the stone can cause delamination over time, shortening the lifespan. 

The specific composition of slate primarily depends on its origin, which includes New York, Vermont, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Each quarried area has its own lifespan range—the types of slate fall into the general categories of hard and soft slate.

Common Slate Roof Problems

Although slate looks beautiful, can last centuries, and costs more than most to install, it still has a few common issues you’ll want to watch out for:

• Chipped or missing tiles: Expect to pay $50 to $200 per tile. A roofer can spot these from ground level. 

• Leaks: The cost to repair slate roof leaks varies, but you’ll likely pay at least $500. Leaks happen most often on older roofs with missing tiles.

• Hail damage: Repairing hail damage costs about the same as missing and chipped tiles. It involves simply replacing each damaged tile. 

• Delamination: Delamination slate roof repair costs vary depending on the extent of the damage. It can involve replacing a tile or two or a complete roof replacement. 

Slate Roof Maintenance Costs

Real slate roofs need regular maintenance like any other roof. Clean the gutters in the spring and the fall and budget for other slate roof maintenance costs, like periodically replacing any broken or missing slate.

Get an inspection by an experienced slate professional every five years. Roof inspections cost $120 to $300, but they might be a little more for steep slopes. Make sure you hire a professional experienced in inspecting or working on slate. 

Cleaning

You’ll spend $0.30 to $1 per square foot for a low-pressure wash of your slate tiles. Cleaning your slate roof regularly can help maintain its appearance and structural integrity. The process generally involves removing debris, such as moss and fallen leaves. The roofer then washes the tiles with a gentle cleaning solution. The recommended cleaning frequency depends primarily on your climate, so you’ll need to consult with a roofer in your area.

Gutters

You’ll want to clean, maintain, and sometimes repair your gutters. With real slate, you’ll likely have copper gutters, but cleaning costs the same regardless of the material. 

• Gutter cleaning costs $160 on average

• Copper gutter replacement costs $2,400 on average

• Gutter repairs cost $375 on average

Slate Roof Repairs vs. Replacement

Deciding between repairing and replacing a slate roof depends on cost and the age and condition of the existing roof. Slate roof maintenance costs may seem minor compared to the larger investment of a full roof replacement. Restoration and replacement may be better options in the long term for older roofs.

Restoration

Restoration is the process of bringing an older slate roof up to like-new status. It’s recommended for historical homes or restoration projects. Roof restoration can mean minor repairs or a complete replacement.

One exception is after a long period of neglect, which often occurs with historical buildings. In these cases, restoration may be better than individual repairs. Restoration is a comprehensive form of repair that involves the entire roof rather than specific areas of damage.

A restoration includes any combination of large-scale repairs. For example, it may involve replacing all fastenings and flashing. Most sources recommend complete replacement if more than 20% to 30% of the roof needs replacing. 

Replacement

New slate roof installation costs $15,000 on average, including both synthetic and natural slate. Natural slate costs $1,000 to $3,000 per square (per 100 square feet). A roof generally requires complete replacement once 20% to 30% of the slates have deteriorated beyond reasonable repair. 

A local slate roofer will inspect for signs such as flaking tiles and powdering on the underside. A tile that produces a hollow sound when tapped is also a sign that the slate is breaking down.

The following table compares the costs of replacing a roof with various types of roofing shingles, including slate.

Budgeting for Slate Roof Repairs

Slate roofing can last a long time if you stay on top of regular maintenance and promptly complete important repairs. To save money in the long run and keep long-term slate roof repair costs low, keep these budget-friendly tips in mind:

• Conduct annual roof inspections to catch minor issues before they develop into more extensive and costly damage.

• Hire a contractor with specific experience in slate roofing to ensure quality work and reduce the risk of improper repairs.

• Reuse undamaged slate tiles to minimize material costs whenever possible.

• Opt for partial repairs of localized damage if the rest of the slate roof is still in good shape.

• Consider synthetic slate options for full roof replacements. They tend to be more cost-effective while maintaining a similar aesthetic.

• Coordinate slate roof repairs with other exterior home improvement projects to reduce labor costs.

• Review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if roof repair costs may be covered, especially if the damage is due to severe weather.

• Request estimates from multiple reputable contractors in your area. 

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the 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.