Tile Roof Costs in the Inland Empire

Quick answer: a full tile roof replacement for a typical home runs about $8,200 to $24,600, with an average near $16,000, according to This Old House (page updated April 10, 2026). That is a national estimate, not an Inland Empire quote. A 1,500 square foot roof can land higher, so read on.

• Full replacement, clay tile

  Typical cost

  $8 to $22 per sq ft installed

  Lifespan

  About 100 years

  Good to know

  The most expensive tile choice

  Source

  This Old House, Apr 2026

• Full replacement, concrete tile

  Typical cost

  $7 to $19 per sq ft installed

  Lifespan

  Up to about 50 years

  Good to know

  Heavy, so the roof frame matters

  Source

  This Old House, Apr 2026

• Whole roof, typical home

  Typical cost

  $8,202 to $24,645, average $16,000

  Lifespan

  See above

  Good to know

  National figure, not local

  Source

  This Old House, Apr 2026

• New underlayment only

  Typical cost

  $0.50 to $2 per sq ft for the layer

  Lifespan

  About 10 years

  Good to know

  Labor to lift and reset tile is extra

  Source

  Fixr, Jan 2025

• Repair a cracked tile

  Typical cost

  $25 to $50 per tile

  Lifespan

  Rest of roof unchanged

  Good to know

  Small jobs may have a minimum fee

  Source

  Fixr, Jan 2025

• Leak repair

  Typical cost

  $150 to $500 per leak

  Lifespan

  Depends on the cause

  Good to know

  Find the source first

  Source

  Fixr, Jan 2025

All of these are estimates from published cost guides. No trustworthy price list exists just for the Inland Empire, so every number on this page is national or comes from the sources named in the text.

How to read this page

Tile roof costs have several parts. This page walks through the price ranges we could source, what moves them up or down, and how to check a bid with confidence.

A few ground rules. Every price has a source and a date next to it. Where two guides disagree, we show both and say so. We never fill a gap with a guess. If a number is missing, that is on purpose.

We are not a roofing company. We do not give quotes, send crews or take jobs. This is a homeowner guide, and the only real prices come from licensed roofers who look at your actual roof.

Clay tile vs concrete tile

Both are tile, and both can last for decades. They differ in price, weight and how long they tend to last.

The second guide is wider on the low end for concrete. Fixr's own page gives two different ranges for each material, which is a good reminder that these numbers are rough. Fixr also lists material-only prices of $4 to $20 for concrete and $5 to $15 for clay, which do not match the first guide. When guides disagree, treat the overlap as the safer zone: roughly $9 to $19 per square foot installed for both materials.

RoofingCalc (updated July 30, 2023) gives a higher range for concrete: $9.50 to $23.50 per sq ft installed, with an average of $16.50. It also says concrete tile weighs 575 to 1,100 pounds per roofing square (100 square feet), compared with 150 to 400 pounds for asphalt shingles, and that most codes call for roof framing checks above about 600 pounds per square. That page is older, so prices may have risen since.

What this means for you:

• Clay usually costs more up front and is often described as longer lived.
• Concrete is usually the lower price in the guides cited here.
• Weight matters more than most people expect. Ask any roofer how they will confirm your framing can carry the tile.

Full replacement vs new underlayment under your tiles

Here is the money tip many owners miss. On a tile roof, the tile often outlives what is underneath it. Fixr says underlayment lasts about 10 years in its lifespan list, while tile can last 50 years or more. So a roof can have healthy tile on top and a tired layer beneath.

That is where a "lift and relay" comes in. The roofer lifts the tile, replaces the underlayment, and sets the tile back, adding new pieces for any that break. It can cost less than starting over with all new tile, because you keep material you already own.

What we can source: underlayment as a material runs $0.50 to $2 per square foot (Fixr, January 2025). For a 1,500 square foot roof, Fixr puts underlayment at $750 to $3,000. Removing an old roof adds $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot in that guide, or $750 to $2,250 for 1,500 square feet.

No reliable published price for the labor of lifting and re-setting tile was found, so none is given. Ask for a written bid that lists the underlayment type, the labor and the number of replacement tiles included. RoofingCalc also warns that tile laid over old shingles may cut tile life by 15 to 25 percent, so removal of the old layer is recommended.

What each part of a bid can cost

Here is one sourced example, so you can see how pieces add up. These come from Fixr's page (January 31, 2025), for a 1,500 square foot roof.

Notice how far apart the two big guides are. This Old House says $16,000 on average for a typical home. Fixr says $27,000 for a 1,500 square foot roof. They use different roof sizes, tile types and definitions. For a different size, This Old House lists installed totals for a 2,000 square foot roof of $16,000 to $50,000. That range is wide because it covers every kind of tile roof from the cheapest to the priciest.

A tip: ask each roofer to bid the same scope, then compare line by line. That is the only way to compare apples to apples.

Repairs

Not every tile problem needs a new roof. Many do not. Fixr's repair guide (updated January 31, 2025) lists these prices with labor included:

That guide does not list ridge cap or valley prices, and no reliable source for them is given here. In practice, ridge and hip work, valleys and flashing are the spots where leaks often start, and they are worth asking about by name. Our roof photos page shows what each of those looks like.

Broken pieces on a roof deserve quick attention. A cracked tile can let water reach the underlayment. Small fixes now can save a bigger bill later.

What drives the price

Think of these as dials. Each one can turn your quote up or down.

1. Tile type. Clay vs concrete, and flat vs barrel vs mission profiles. Special shapes and colors cost more.
2. Roof size and shape. More hips, valleys, dormers and stories mean more labor. This Old House suggests a quick check: multiply the home's floor area by about 1.12 for a typical pitch, then by about $9 per square foot. Treat that as a rough starting idea only.
3. Keep or replace. Reusing tile on new underlayment is a different job than new tile everywhere.
4. What is under the old roof. Rotted boards add cost. Fixr lists reinforcement at $1,000 to $10,000 when the structure needs help.
5. Removal and disposal. Old tile is heavy. RoofingCalc says removing old tile adds $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot.
6. Permit and code. Each city has its own rules and fees. See below.
7. Fire zone. Some hillside areas must meet higher fire ratings for roofing.
8. Heat rules. Cool roof rules can change which products you may use.
9. Timing and access. Steep or tight lots take longer.

Permits

In the cities we looked at, a re-roof generally needs a permit. The rules and fees are set by your city, not by this site, so always check with your city building department.

• Chino Hills lists a re-roof as a residential project that needs a permit. See its When is a permit required page.
• Rancho Cucamonga has a written roofing policy with a separate Roof Repair Permit and Reroof Permit. See our Rancho Cucamonga page.
• Upland lists re-roofing among projects that require permits. See its Do I need a building permit handout.
• Corona, Eastvale and Norco: no roofing permit page is cited here. Call each building department before you plan.

No sourced figure for permit fees in these cities is listed here. Ask the city for its current fee schedule.

Heat and the energy code (Title 24)

California's Energy Code can affect which tile you pick, because summers in the Inland Empire are hot. Here is what the California Energy Commission says in its 2022 single-family cool roof sheet.

• The rules can apply to a re-roof when more than 50 percent of the roof is replaced.
• Steep-slope roofs are those with a slope of 2:12 or more. Most tile roofs fall here.
• For new homes in climate zones 10 to 15, the prescriptive steep-slope value is an aged solar reflectance of at least 0.20 with thermal emittance of at least 0.75, or a solar reflectance index (SRI) of at least 16.
• Roofing products are rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), and only CRRC values count.
• Exceptions include roof areas with solar panels and roof constructions with thermal mass of at least 25 pounds per square foot over the roof membrane.

Nearly every Inland Empire place sits in California climate zone 10: 54 of the 60 places on this site. The rest are in zone 15 or 16. The sheet also notes that alterations (re-roofs) apply to additional climate zones and carries separate options such as added ceiling insulation or a radiant barrier. Those are not the same as the rules for new homes, and the code is updated periodically, so ask your city which code edition applies to your permit.

The Energy Commission notes that tile is one of several materials that can meet the cool roof rules, in a wide range of colors. Look for the CRRC label.

Fire zones

Parts of the region are mapped as fire hazard severity zones by CAL FIRE. This is about maps and building rules, and it is good to know calmly, not something to worry about. If your roof is in a mapped zone, the city may require a higher fire rating for the covering. Fire ratings belong to the specific roofing product, so check the rating of the exact tile and underlayment with your city.

Here is the share of each city's area in a mapped fire zone (CAL FIRE maps, jurisdiction acres, an estimate), next to housing numbers from the Census Bureau (ACS 2020-2024).

Rancho Cucamonga's policy, for example, asks for Class B roofing in general and Class A in very high zones. Your city may be different.

How long tile lasts

This Old House says clay can last about 100 years when properly installed, and concrete up to about 50 years with care. Fixr says tile roofs overall last 50 years or more per manufacturers, clay around 100 and concrete about 50. RoofingCalc gives concrete 40 to 70 years. The tile is not usually the weak link. Underlayment, flashing and sealed spots wear out sooner, which is why many owners pick a lift and relay at some point.

How to compare bids

You can feel confident here. A few simple habits go a long way.

1. Get at least three written bids. Ask all of them to bid the same job.
2. Make sure each bid lists the tile (new or reused), underlayment type, flashing, ridge work, tear-off, disposal, permit and a count of replacement tiles.
3. Ask how they will handle the weight and the frame. A clear answer is a good sign.
4. Ask who pulls the permit. The city's rules say who may.
5. Look at the gap. If one bid is far lower, find out what is missing.
6. Do not feel rushed. Take the time you need to compare bids.
7. Get the plan for rain. Ask how an open roof will be covered overnight.

Check the license

Before you sign anything, look the roofer up on the state's free license page at cslb.ca.gov. Check that the license is active and that the classification fits roofing work. CSLB also publishes guides on home improvement contracts. Read the contract carefully, and ask about the down payment limit and payment schedule that California law allows before you hand over money.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a tile roof cost in the Inland Empire? No price guide is made only for the region. National guides say about $8,200 to $24,600 for a typical home (This Old House, April 2026) and $19,000 to $35,000 for a 1,500 square foot roof (Fixr, January 2025). Local bids will tell you the real number.

Is clay or concrete cheaper? Concrete usually costs less per square foot. Clay usually costs more and is described as longer lived.

Can I keep my tiles and replace what is under them? Often yes, if most tiles are in good shape. The roofer lifts the tile, replaces the underlayment and sets the tile back. Ask for a bid that spells out the cost of replacement tiles.

Do I need a permit? In the cities we checked, a re-roof generally does. Call your building department.

Does the energy code affect my tile choice? It can. When more than half the roof is replaced, cool roof rules may apply. Look for CRRC ratings.

What if I live in a fire zone? Many people do, and it is manageable. Ask your city which roof fire rating it needs.

How do I know a roofer is licensed? Search the name or license number at cslb.ca.gov. It is free and quick.

Why are the prices so different between guides? Each uses a different home size, tile choice and way of counting. Compare them as ballparks, then get local bids.

Want to see where your roof sits? Take the 30-second roof check on the home page, or browse the city guides.

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