A new roof is one of the biggest repairs a Tucson homeowner will pay for, so it is worth knowing when replacement is really needed and what the job includes. In Tucson, the median home was built in 1979, which means many houses are on their third or fourth roof covering, and some still have old layers underneath.
Signs it is time to replace
- Leaks in more than one place, or leaks that return after repairs.
- Shingles that are brittle, curled or bare of granules across most of the roof.
- Underlayment beneath tile that has failed across large areas.
- A foam roof with wide areas of wet or crumbling foam, not just a worn coating.
- Soft or sagging spots in the deck.
- Several layers of old roofing that hide what is going on underneath.
Replacement by roof type
Tile roofs
Concrete and clay tiles often outlast the underlayment beneath them. In many cases, a tile roof is "replaced" by lifting the tiles, putting down new underlayment and flashing, and relaying the good tiles with new ones where needed. If the tiles are broken or discontinued, a full new tile roof may be needed.
Foam roofs
When a foam roof has failed across much of its area, the roofer removes the damaged foam (sometimes down to the deck), repairs the deck and sprays new foam, then coats it. See flat and foam roofs.
Shingle roofs
The old shingles are torn off, the deck is checked and repaired, then new underlayment, flashing and shingles go on.
Switching to metal
Some owners replace shingles with metal. See metal roofing.
National cost figures
These are national figures from cost guides, not Tucson prices:
| Roof type | National figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle replacement | About $10,000 average, most $7,500 to $14,000 | Fixr |
| Concrete tile replacement | $14,000 to $24,000 | Fixr |
| Tile roof replacement | $8,202 to $24,645, about $16,000 average | This Old House |
The real price depends on roof size, pitch, how many layers come off, deck repairs and the material you choose. See roof costs in Tucson.
Permits and licensing
City of Tucson permit records show residential re-roof permits filed through Planning and Development Services, (520) 791-5550. Ask the roofer whether a permit is needed for your job and who will pull it. Use a roofer licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors with an R-42 or CR-42 license for a home.
Plan around the weather
Spring and fall are the easiest seasons for a re-roof in Tucson. Summer brings heat, with an average of 158 days a year at 90 F or higher, and monsoon storms from early July. If the roof must be replaced in summer, ask how the roofer will protect the open roof if a storm builds in the afternoon.
Common questions
How much does a new roof cost in Tucson?
National guides put asphalt shingles at about $10,000 on average and concrete tile at $14,000 to $24,000. A roofer gives a real price after measuring.
Can old tiles be reused on a new roof?
Often, yes. If the tiles are sound, they can be lifted, stacked and relaid over new underlayment, with broken ones replaced.
How long does a roof replacement take?
Many homes take a few days, depending on size, roof type and weather. Ask the roofer for a schedule in the written estimate.
Other services
Roof Repair
Monsoon leaks, cracked tile, worn foam, lifted shingles and loose flashing on Tucson roofs.
Roof Coating
Elastomeric, acrylic and silicone recoats for foam and flat roofs under the Tucson sun.
Flat and Foam Roofs
Ponding water, blisters, clogged scuppers and damaged foam on Tucson flat roofs.