The cost of roof replacement, roof repair and tiling a roof is determined by a number of different factors.
This roofing guide will take you through everything you need to know – then show you how to save £££ money on re-roofing costs by comparing highly rated roofers near you.
“A roof over your head” – it’s the no. 1 requirement of any home, whether it’s a beach shack or a mansion!
Despite this, few of us are familiar with the roof on our own homes, which can cause uncertainty and confusion should it need repairing.
Our complete guide to roof repair and re-roofing covers all the basics, as well as providing guidance on the cost of repairing or replacing your roof.
You will also find videos and pictures of house roof replacement – showing before, the process and the finished results.
Types Of Roof In The UK
If you don’t already know which type of roof your home has, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the common types of roof used in the UK.
The cost of roof repair and roof replacement can differ significantly depending on the type of roof your home has.
It’s highly likely that your home has one of the following roof types:
1. Gable Roof – A gable roof is the most common type of roof in the UK and many northern countries. In its simplest form, a gable roof has two sides which slope downward from the apex of the roof. Think of it as an inverted – or upside down – “V”.
2. Hip Roof / Hipped Roof – A hipped roof is similar to a gable roof, but instead of two sides, it has 4 sides of equal height which slope down from the apex.
3. Gambrel Roof – A gambrel roof is less common in the UK, particularly on newer homes. Traditionally referred to as a “Dutch Roof”, it is a two-sided roof where each side is made up of two separate sections. The upper section is shallower (flatter), while the lower section is steeper.
4. Flat Roof – In contrast to a pitched roof, a flat roof is not raised. However, “flat” roofs still tend to have a small pitch to aid water drainage. Generally, any roof with a pitch of 10° or less is considered a flat roof.
Gable, Hipped and Gambrel roofs are all types of Pitched Roof. A pitched roof is simply a roof that slopes downwards.
Warning Signs That You Need A New Roof Or Repair
No matter what type of roof your home has, the signs that your roof may need repairing or replacing tend to be the same. Common things to look out for include:
Water Damage or Water Ingress – In unfortunate cases, it can be all too obvious when a roof has sprung a leak – time to grab a bucket! More often than not, water ingress is less severe and takes the form of stains on your walls or ceilings.
Daylight – If you can see daylight coming through your roof, for example in the loft or attic, your roof needs to be repaired. Anywhere that daylight can get through, water can too.
Broken or Missing Roof Tiles – It’s incredibly common for roof tiles or roof shingles to become damaged or removed entirely – for example, due to strong winds or animal activity. Even just one damaged or missing roof tile can cause a leak.
Moss or Mould Growth – If moss is visible on your roof, or mould is visible inside your home, this is likely due to water ingress.
How To Inspect Your Roof
How often do roofs need to be replaced?
A standard roof should be expected to last at least 20-25 years, but it’s worth inspecting your roof at least once per year.
By conducting a visual interior and exterior check on your roof, it should be relatively easy to identify the common signs of roof damage detailed above.
However, there are also some specific areas you should examine which may not be so obvious such as:
Chimney flashing – Chimney flashing should be visible around the base of the chimney. Usually made from metal or dark PVC, the flashing prevents water from pooling where the vertical chimney meets the roof. If the flashing is visibly worn, damaged or missing, your roof may suffer from water ingress.
Granules in roof guttering – It’s normal for roof guttering to collect various types of debris. However, you should check to see if granules from your roof tiles or roof shingles are present, which may indicate that those materials are deteriorating.
Loose guttering – Roof guttering may come loose due to damage to their brackets, which can be easily repaired. However, it can also be a sign of damage or rot to the roof itself.
Roof Repair vs Roof Replacement
If your house roof is showing signs of damage or deterioration, you should take action as soon as possible.
Damage to a roof, particularly one that is no longer water-tight, can lead to further damage to your outside walls, interior walls and other parts of the home.
The good news is that addressing roof damage doesn’t necessarily mean re-roofing your home. Repairs such as replacing roof tiles and fixing damaged chimney flashing are examples of jobs that do not require new roofing.
However, in addition to the visible damage, there may also be unseen issues underneath problem areas. You should always contact a local roofing expert who can thoroughly assess the condition of your roof and make a professional recommendation.
Re-Roofing & New Roof Replacement Costs UK
How much does it cost to replace an entire roof?
The average roof replacement cost in the UK is between £4,500-£5,500.
You will find below representative costs for roof replacement according to the type of roof you have or the size of your home.
Please note: The costs below have been compiled using multiple sources and we are confident in their general accuracy. However, the only way to get a truly accurate estimate for roof replacement is by contacting local roofers in your area.
This is because there are a number of variables which can significantly impact the average cost of a new roof:
- Type of roof (for example Gable, Hipped or Flat)
- Size of the roof
- Roof materials (even the price of roof tiles can vary significantly depending on the material used)
- The extent of the damage (do you just need new tiles and membranes – or an entirely new roof structure?)
- Access requirements (is scaffolding required? If so, for how long is scaffolding hire required?)
Re-Roofing Cost By Roof Type
| Roof Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gable Roof Replacement Cost | Between £4,500 and £9,000 |
| Hip Roof Replacement Cost | Between £5,500 and £10,000 |
| Flat Roof Replacement Cost | Between £1,000 and £5,000 |
| Flat Garage Roof Cost | Around £1,000 for a simple garage roof |
Re-Roofing Cost By House Type
| House Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bungalow Roof Replacement Cost | Between £3,800 and £6,000 |
| Terrace House Roof Replacement Cost | Between £4,500 and £7,000 |
| Semi-Detached House Roof Replacement Cost | Between £5,000 and £7,500 |
| Detached House Roof Replacement Cost | Between £6,500 and £10,000+ |
Roof Repair Costs UK
If the damage to your roof is less severe, it may be possible to simply fix or replace specific areas of the roof, as opposed to having the whole thing replaced.
Smaller jobs such as roof tile replacement can cost as little as £200. A medium-sized repair job such as installing or repairing chimney flashing will usually cost between £250 and £500.
A larger job, such as addressing a sagging roof, can cost over £2,000 depending on how much damaged material needs to be replaced and how difficult it is to access that material.
Replacing Other Types Of Roof
The costs and estimates provided in this article have so far focused on replacing the main roof of your home. However, many homes have secondary roofs, including extension roofs, garage roofs and conservatory roofs.
As you might expect, repair and replacement of these types of roofs is usually significantly cheaper than your main roof.
A standard extension will usually have a flat roof, or a one-sided pitched roof, which rises up to meet the wall of the original building. This means roofing services will be able to use the same techniques they use on the main roof, only on a much smaller surface area.
Garage Roof Replacement Cost
While it’s not unheard of for a garage to have a pitched roof, the majority of homeowners choose a cheaper flat roof.
A replacement garage roof which uses affordable bitumen roof felt will cost around £1,000 including materials and labour (less for smaller garages, more for larger and double-car garages).
Conservatory Roof Replacement Cost
Conservatory roofs generally do not have the same structural and material strength as the main roof of your house. As a result, they are more susceptible to wear a tear, typically lasting around 10 years as opposed to 20-25 years.
Replacing a conservatory roof can cost from £2,000 to over £5,000.
Whilst conservatory roofs are less complex than a house roof, the cost of conservatory roof replacement is still heavily dependent on the conservatory size, conservatory type and the materials chosen.
Replacing the roof of a “Lean-To” conservatory (where a shallow-pitched roof leans against the wall of the house) is much cheaper and easier than replacing the roof of a “Victorian Conservatory” (which has a steeply pitched roof with multiple sides).
Conservatory owners also have the choice between cheaper Polycarbonate materials and pricier Glass. Whilst polycarbonate is the more affordable option, glass has superior attributes when it comes to opacity, heat retention and noise insulation.
How To Get Free Roofing Quotes
Now that you have an understanding of the different types of roofs, signs of roof damage, and typical roof repair and replacement costs – you should feel comfortable in contacting a local roofer for quotes.
The following points will help you to compare quotes, assess the level of service offered, and find the right roofer for you.
1. Stay local – It’s often beneficial to choose a roofing company local to you. Many roof repairs involve transporting large, heavy materials as well as the hire of scaffolding and a skip. A well-connected local tradesperson will already have local partners in your area, reducing the time and cost of the job.
2. Get multiple quotes – Getting multiple quotes will help you to make sure you are paying the correct amount for roof replacement or repair.
3. Check what each quote includes – Labour, materials, access (scaffolding hire) and waste disposal all contribute to the cost of roof replacement and roof repairs. Make sure that the quote includes all of these elements – or that the roofer can give you a separate, accurate estimate for each aspect.
4. Make sure the roofer visits the site – Getting multiple online roofing quotes is a great way to start your search. However, prior to starting work, a roofer should visit the site to carry out a thorough inspection. This ensures that they have a complete understanding of the condition of your roof and roof access options – and can provide a final quote accordingly.
Don’t just rely on sending photos for this. A thorough inspection could uncover further issues with the roof, or even show that the job is easier than first anticipated.
5. Choose a qualified, highly rated roofer – Replacing or repairing your roof represents a sizable investment. To ensure that you receive professional service and high-quality work, you should make sure that the individual roofer or roofing firm you choose is qualified and/or highly rated.
You may choose to hire a roofer who is a member of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). Alternatively, look for a local professional who is recommended by other homeowners in your area.
Re-roofing Process From Start To Finish (Before & After)
Watch the process of stripping an old roof through to replacement roof completion.
Get Free Roof Replacement Quotes Today
The one key takeaway from this guide should be this: “if your roof is damaged, or is visibly deteriorating, you should get it checked by a professional as soon as possible”.
Although new roof costs in the UK can be high, replacing a damaged roof can increase the value of your property, make your home more visually appealing and, most importantly, it will protect your home from further damage.
Don’t wait to start speaking to local experts. You can use Rated Near Me to find local roofers and roofing businesses in your area – absolutely free!
Our simple and easy-to-use tool makes it easy to receive quotes from highly-rated local services in a matter of minutes. Click here to get several roofing estimates.
