Replies

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   Guest_ | Jun 21, 1999 09:08pm | #1

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   Never did slate but I would say that it is safe to assume that the increase would be about... Ummm.... hmmm, let me see.... right about a whole heck of a lot more than asphalt. Best advice is to get a few bids. Check references of roofers and see other slate jobs and then determine if the expense is worth the need. Remember that the cheapest price is not always the best especially when the cheapest is way below the average of other bids.

   Pete Draganic

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   Guest_ | Jun 22, 1999 04:55am | #2

   *The quick answer is we can charge as much as we want and absolutely no effort will be made to be cost competetive.At a absolute minimum a slate roof will cost at least 5 times the highest quality shingle roof.I live in a fair size city and I know of only one roof off-hand, put on in my memory ,that was a new slate job.( and not by me,by the way)In this area all slate work is repair work and even that market is shrinking every year.I think it is great that you would contemplate this material,but I won't hold my breath waiting for you to actually use it.If you go ahead with the project,and it is new construction make sure the framing is designed for this load.Good Luck and best wishes ,Stephen

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   Guest_ | Jun 22, 1999 05:33am | #3

   *Eric,We get about $1000.00 a square for slating around here. That includes two ply 30# felt and copper nails, using a 10" or 12" X 20" to 24" nominal 1/4" thick slate. Exposure varies but we try and maintain a 2" to 3" headlap. No copper work is included in that price (Valleys, exposed step flashing,crickets,etc.). This is for anything up to a 6/6. If it's very cut up or there is lots of other detail obviously the price goes up accordingly. Material costs are between $350 and $500 a square. A laddavator really helps getting it up on the roof, worth renting if you don't have one. About fifteen pieces at a time is the limit if your shouldering it up. Hope this helps you some.P.S. For a basis of comparison piece work for fiberglass/asphalt three tabs here runs about $20 to $50 a square.Richard Max.

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   Guest_ | Jun 26, 1999 12:28am | #4

   *Richard Max, Could you share a little more info about the slate roofing market in your area. This is a topic near and dear to my heart.Roughly, where are you And are you in an older urban area or more of a rural area?How is the supply situation for this material in your area? Is there actually much of a demand for this type of roof in your area?(This was Once a very common material here in Ohio but in my city it is rarely, if ever ,used now except for repair work.Ironically, most of the homeowners(in my area) Who own these roofs find that they are coming to the end of the roofs lifespan and find it much more practical to T.O. the slate and settle for a dimensional shingle roof rather than shell out a few hundred $ every couple of years for the on-going repairs to 80-100 year old slate installed with iron nailsAny additional info will be appreciated,Stephen

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   Guest_ | Jun 27, 1999 05:50am | #5

   *Stephen,Well to start off I'd say ninety percent of the work here is repair work. The only consistent client base for the new work comes from a small village here (Long Island, N.Y. about 30 mins from NYC) that requires it as part of there building code. The houses there are all about 40 to 80 years old so when the owners are facing replacement they really have no choice. Material is readily available. I buy from Allied Supply,and I believe they have yards in Ohio. There are several other local suppliers that carry stock. Most of the locally available stuff is Pennsylvania Gray, which in my opinion is inferior to the Vermont slate. I have called a company in Vermont that said they would ship direct and the price was competitive. I may give them a try. Slate roofing is not my bread and butter the jobs are to few and far between, but for my money it is a superior roofing material and an attractive one. The trend around here is the same as in your area unfortunately. The high cost and the availablity of dimensional shingles with 40 year warranties is causing nearly everyone who has to tearoff a slate roof to opt for the dimensionals as the new material. Do you repair slate? What are the costs like out there? And do what do you guys call the copper repair straps?...we call 'em "tingles" . Always wanted to know where that word came from. We get $25 to $35 a slate for replacements on average. If they're all in one area and the pitch isn't too bad the price drops, but we charge a minimum job fee if there's only two or three. Richard

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   Guest_ | Jun 28, 1999 10:52pm | #6

   *Richard, Thanks for the info! Repair prices here are roughly the same although I try to charge about $5 more per slate cause I have to drive about 35 miles to get them.That location is a good source for used slates. Last slate I bought was some barn slate about $6 each.(about 26"-28" high)The supplier tells me that some of the more locally situated slate specialists stop in 3-4 times a day to pick up replacement slates(They serve a big urban market)I learned to use the copper straps but the suppliers have turned me on to slate hooks.3"-4" long,Stainless steel,with a J shaped hook at one end and sharp diametrically opposedpoint at the other. Sort of Z shaped over all.They work very well,fast and cheapSad to say,but for me slate work is now pretty much just a hobby,since demand gets lower every year, but it makes a refreshing change of pace from shingles and the customers who do pay are appreciative of the material.Any body have some used buggy whip manufacturing equipment for sale?Good luck,stephen

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   Eric_M._Borgman | Jul 01, 1999 05:17pm | #7

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   Thanks to all who have contibuted their time, expertise and comments. It is appreciated. I'm currently managing a train station construction project and we have 190 +/- squares of non-weathering mottled purple and green slate with copper flashing, gutters and downspouts. It is going to be beautiful! I eventually found the answer I was looking for through R.S. Means. I know they're high, but I was looking for the differential costs not a bid price. Thanks again to all. Site Admin. may archive this site at will.

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   Eric_Borgman | Jul 06, 1999 06:43pm | #8

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   What is the additional labor percentage for installing slate roofing as opposed to asphalt?