Start with measured roof area
Roofing area is the sloped surface, not the floor area of the house. Ask for a measured roof plan with slopes, valleys, hips, ridges and penetrations. One roofing square equals 100 square feet.
Separate the cost lines
Ask for materials, accessories, delivery, removal, deck repairs, underlayment, metalwork, attachment, labor, access equipment and permits to be described. Complex roof geometry changes cutting and detailing requirements.
Plan for uncertainty
On an existing roof, hidden deck damage and tile breakage may only become clear after opening the assembly. Request the unit rates or allowances for those items before work begins.
Compare scope before price
Obtain written proposals with the same material and project assumptions. Confirm how changes, cleanup, warranty responsibilities and payment stages will be handled. Use our calculator for preliminary quantities, then have a roofer complete the takeoff.
Related questions
Tile Roofing USA editorial guide · Published October 26, 2026.