Roof Replacement across the UK

Roof Replacement - what to expect

A full roof replacement means stripping the existing covering back to the rafters, checking the timbers, laying new breathable felt and battens, and re-tiling with new concrete tiles, clay tiles or natural slates. If your roof is over 40 years old, has multiple leaks in different spots, or the timber battens have rotted, replacement is usually cheaper long-term than patching year after year. Expect it to take 3-7 working days for an average UK semi.

The material choice drives the biggest slice of the price. Concrete interlocking tiles are the workhorse (around £45-£75 per m² fitted), clay plain tiles look far better on period property but cost more (£75-£130 per m²), and natural Welsh or Spanish slate is the top end (£120-£200 per m² and up). Underneath, the two hidden but critical items are breathable Type 1F felt (skip cheap non-breathable felt - it causes condensation in modern lofts) and pressure-treated battens graded to BS 5534.

A proper quote itemises everything: strip cost, waste disposal (skips), scaffold hire (typically 2-3 weeks), tiles and materials, new lead flashings to chimneys and abutments, new ridge system (dry-fix is now standard), new eaves and verge protection, and finally re-plastering any internal water damage. If a quote is one lump sum with no breakdown, you can't compare it fairly - always ask for the itemised version.

Typical UK price range for roof replacement: £3,500 - £9,000 installed. Actual figures for your city sit on the city page below.