5 steps to turn salvaged slate into cash

By National Slate Association. 

Your guide to selling reclaimed slate and saving money on disposal fees. 

When you’re done with a replacement roof project, what should you do with the remaining pile of slate tiles that are still in good condition? Save on costly disposal fees and swap the pieces for money, of course! When you are looking to sell your salvaged roofing slate, it’s important to be prepared with the necessary information to make the process smooth for you and your buyer. We at the National Slate Association created this guide to help you gather the information you need to recycle your salvaged slate and make some cash along the way.  

1 - Evaluate what you have 

Before anything else, assess your slate. Buying salvaged roofing slate is like buying a used car: There’s so many different types, sizes, thicknesses, shapes, etc., and there’s also many factors to evaluate for each piece of slate: 

• Size and type: What is the size(s) of the slates? 24×12? 12×6? A common comment is, “Well, it looks like they’re maybe 10 inches wide and maybe 15 inches long.” 
  • “Maybe” is not very helpful. Exact measurements are necessary. 
  • If the slates are “standard thickness,” meaning 3/16″ to 1/4″ thick, there will be about 50 per foot of stack. If the slates are thicker than that, the buyer needs to know that too. 
  • What type of slate is it? One of the many colors and weathering types available in the Vermont/New York district? Chapman? Bangor? Buckingham? Unless you’re an expert in slate roofing, you probably won’t be able to identify the type, which means you can either deliver samples to the buyer or send them photos by email or text. No serious buyer will commit to buying slates without knowing what type they are. 
• Condition: What is the condition of the slates? Are they good and hard? When tapped with a knuckle or hammer, do they emit a clear, porcelain-like ring? Are they flaking and falling apart? Do they have paint on them? Roof cement? Rust stains? Are there holes in the face (the part of the slate that shows on the roof)? If the slates have any foreign material or holes on the face, they are rejects and of no value. These factors will not only directly affect the value of the slate but also determine if they are worthy of reuse or not. 
• Quantity: How many do you have? If you have 50 or 100, it’ll prove difficult trying to sell the slates to a company that buys them for resale unless they are very special slates. Most companies want lots of at least 500 and preferably thousands if they can get them. The quantity has to be large enough that a buyer can do something with them other than paint on them, like repair or install roofs. An ad on Craigslist is perhaps the easiest way to go down the arts and crafts route. 
• Location: Where are the slates? Are they still on the roof? Are they on the ground? Are they in pallets on your truck, ready to deliver? Do they have to be picked up? Are they hundreds of miles away, or right around the corner? The potential buyer will take all of this information into consideration. 
• Age and history (if known): Original quarry info, age or building provenance can add value for historic restorers. 
• Shape: What is the shape of the slates? Are all the corners square? Is one end rounded? Are two corners cut off at an angle? Specialty shaped slate usually has a significantly reduced value, and buyers tend to avoid purchasing them altogether.  This is due to the fact that there are simply too many custom shapes for every size and color of slate available. 

2 - Set realistic expectations 

Prices can be all over the place for salvaged slate depending on the aforementioned factors and more. If the buyer has to take them off a roof, their labor, transport and insurance costs will be high, and they will have paid handsomely for them before they have given you a penny. So, if the slates have to be removed by the buyer, don’t expect to get paid much. Size, shape, condition, type, location and quantity all affect the price as well. Odd sized, odd shaped slates in small quantities are usually worth the least. The only time you’re going to make money on small lots of odd shaped slates is if someone needs those exact slates for roof repairs, or if someone wants to use them for arts and crafts. 

Reclaimed slate doesn’t sell for the same price as new slate, but it’s still valuable — often $1–$3 per piece, depending on size, thickness and condition. Large matching lots in good shape are the most attractive for a potential buyer. 

3 - Prepare the slate for sale 

• Sort by size and condition. 
• Remove nails and clean dirt/debris — This is very important as it will minimize damage during transport! 
• Stack or palletize it neatly. Make sure you have the slates stacked on edge during storage. Don’t pile them up flat like a stack of dishes. The weight bearing down on the stack will damage the lower slates. Place them on edge on boards or lath, or in pallets. 

Not heeding these steps will reduce the total value of the slate. 

4 - Find buyers 

Here are your best options: 

A - Reclamation yards / architectural salvage companies 

• Companies that specialize in reclaimed materials (like slate, brick, wood) will often buy them directly. 
• Some even offer pickup if the quantity is high enough. 
• See the NSA membership list for potential companies that purchase salvaged roofing slate closest to you. 

B - Online marketplaces 

• Facebook Marketplace – Local contractors and homeowners often search here. 
• Craigslist – Popular for local pickup. 
• eBay – Best for unique types or smaller lots. 
• RoofersCoffeeShop Classifieds – Niche market. 

C - Roofing companies & contractors 

• Contact local slate roofing contractors — they may buy directly, especially if they do repairs and restorations. 

5 - Offer delivery (if possible) 

Offering to deliver the slate — especially if it’s already palletized — will command the highest return on the slate. Use a flatbed, pickup truck or coordinate freight if you’re selling long-distance. 

Pro tip 

Not only is the reclaimed slate potentially worth money to a buyer; it will also save you on costly disposal fees!  Standard-thickness roofing slate tends to weigh between 700 to 1,000 lbs. per square, so every two to three squares would literally save a TON in disposal fee.  All the more reason to cash in on them! 

With the above information, you will have the best opportunity to sell your slates. Good luck! 

Original article and image source: National Slate Association