Blog>Cost Guides>Re-felting a roof: Cost breakdown 2025

Last updated: 4 July 2025

Re-felting a roof: Cost breakdown 2025

Roof felt acts as a protective barrier for your property, protecting it from the wind, rain and snow (as well as pests, such as insects, bats and birds). We’ve put together this guide about the cost of refelting a roof to help you budget for your project.

Cost of refelting a roof
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Keep reading to learn more about the cost of keeping your roof felt in good condition and avoid further damage to the roof structure or other parts of your property

Fast Facts

  • The average cost of re-felting a roof in the UK is around £50 per m²

  • The total price of the job will depend on the size of your roof, its condition and the complexity of the work involved

  • For accurate quotes, speak to a least three roofers in your area to ensure you pay a fair and competitive price

How much does it cost to re-felt a roof in 2025?

The average cost of re-felting a roof per m2 in the UK is around £50 per m², with variations depending on the type of roof that needs reflting, the roof size, and the roof condition.

To help you plan your budget, below are some estimated average costs of re-felting a roof:

ItemRange - lowRange - highAverage cost
Felt cost (per m²)--£50
Medium-sized shed (£30 - £45 per m²)£250£450£350
Average flat roof garage£1,000£2,000£1,500
Full roof under tiles£2,300£7,300£4,800
Replacement roof (including felt, ply deck and joists)--£200 per m²
Replacement roof (including felt, ply deck, joists, fascias and guttering)--£300 per m²
Labour (per day)£150£250£200
Last updated: May 2024
Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now

The total cost of your roof re-felting project can vary greatly, depending on how much roof needs felting and what state it’s in.

How much do felt roofers charge per day in the UK?

Part of the cost of re-felting a roof is the price of labour, which will cost around £200 per day.

That rate will depend on the individual roofers and roofing contractors you hire.

https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Felting-a-roof-1.jpg

Roof re-felting cost: Job estimator tool

Use our job estimator tool to calculate how much it would cost to re-felt your roof.

Need help working out cost? Our job estimate tool calculates the costs for you.

Cost to replace roof felt under tiles

If you need to replace roofing felt under tiles on your roof, it’s worth finding out how much of your existing felt needs to be replaced.

Replacing a small patch of felt can cost from around £200 (the equivalent of 4m²).

However, if you have extensive damage and need to replace the felt for the whole roof that will cost you a lot more.

The average cost of re-felting a whole roof under tiles is around £4,800.

This can vary a lot depending on the size of the roof, the type of tiles and other factors we mentioned above. You can read more in our cost breakdown for replacing roof felt underneath roof tiles.

Cost to refelt a flat roof

For an average flat roof garage, the cost of felt roof replacement is in the region of £1,500.

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Factors affecting the cost of re-felting a roof

Numerous factors will affect the final cost of your roof re-felting project, including:

  • The size of the roof

  • The age and condition of the roof and existing felt

  • The quality and quantity of materials used

  • Accessibility of the roof (e.g. height, ability to access, need for scaffolding

  • Time of the year

  • Where you live

  • Any structural repairs that might be needed (e.g. joists, the roof ply deck)

  • If gutterings and fascias need replacing

It’s a good idea to getting quotes from at least three roofers near you to get accurate pricing and ensure you pay a fair and competitive price for the job.

What does roof felt do?

The original purpose for using roofing felt was as a temporary waterproof layer used during the construction process, while the permanent roof was being constructed.

Nowadays many homeowners have roof felt under roof tiles or a flat roof covering for sheds and garages, protecting them from the elements.

https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Felting-a-roof-2.jpg

Benefits of replacing roof felt

Your roof is one of the most important parts of a building, protecting it from the elements. Therefore, keeping your roof in good condition is crucial.

Here are some of the great benefits of roof felt:

  • It acts as a moisture barrier, being completely waterproof

  • It prevents damage to the underlying roof structure (especially wooden roofs) and the building itself

  • For temporary roofing, it protects the building whilst builders create a permanent roof

  • Felt under roof tiles adds a valuable layer of protection to the roof structure

What does roof felt replacement involve?

To replace roofing felt from a section of the roof with tiles, the roof tiles will first need to be removed before replacing the felt between two joists.

Many roof structures perform perfectly well without roof felt, so for minor damage or tears, you don’t necessarily need to replace the felt.

However, if the damage is more considerable or you notice adverse effects, such as water leaking through the roof, then the felt needs to be replaced.

Hidden costs to consider

If you are re-felting your roof, there are some additional costs that you might need to be aware of before you start:

  • Structural damage to the roof itself will need to be dealt with, at an additional cost

  • Additional time that any tradespeople spend re-felting will be charged at an hourly rate

  • Scaffolding is sometimes needed to access certain roofs and comes at an extra cost

best felt for flat roof

Why do I need to replace roof felt?

Damage to your roof felt can lead to leaks and other problems, such as damp patches appearing on ceilings in your home. Old felt can become brittle and start to deteriorate over time.

Patch repairs will work for small-scale damage to roofing felt, however, over time you may need to replace the roof felt for the whole roof.

Many period buildings, particularly Victorian houses, were built without using any roof felt at all – and still don’t have any. Adding or replacing roof felt helps reduce the impact of elements on roof slate or tiles.

Well-maintained roof felt can also provide a helpful layer of added insulation to help keep heat from escaping through the room of your home.

Re-felting a roof cost checklist

  • Check your existing roof to see the extent and location of any damage (you might need a checked tradesperson to come and inspect the roof)

  • Decide whether you need a patch of roof re-felting or the whole roof

  • Speak to a checked roofing company for practical guidance and accurate roof felt prices

  • Shop around for fair and competitive costs

  • Always hire a checked tradesperson with relevant experience and appropriate qualifications/accreditations

See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job

Roof re-felting cost: FAQs

How much does it cost to re-felt a roof in the UK?

The average cost of replacing roof felt in the UK is around £50 per m².

The exact cost of re-felting a roof depends on a number of factors, such as the size of your roof, the project complexity, and the condition of your existing roof tiles.

How long does it take to re-felt a roof?

On average, it typically takes between one and three days to re-felt a roof. The exact amount of time it takes to re-felt a roof will depend on the project scope. Factors affecting the project include:

  • Roof size

  • Project complexity

  • Weather conditions and unexpected delays

  • Tile removal and replacement

  • Crew size and experience

How much should I pay to get my roof re-felted?

On average, you should aim to pay between £30 - £45 per m² for your roof felt to be replaced.

For a clearer understanding of how much you should spend, speak to a number of checked tradespeople offering roof re-felting services. This is so you can compare prices and find an option that’s suited to your price range and preferences.

How often should roof felt be replaced?

On average, roof felt should be replaced every 15 to 30 years in the UK. However, the exact lifespan of roof felt depends on its type and the quality of the installation. Factors such as weather damage and necessary repairs may mean you need to refelt your roof more often.

Can you replace roof felt without removing tiles?

Generally speaking, you will need to remove the roof tiles in order to refelt the roof. This is because roof felting is located beneath the roof tiles. This creates a water-tight seal, which means that roof felt is not accessible without removing the tiles first.

What is the most common cause of roof felt damage?

One of the most common causes of roof felt damage is prolonged exposure to sunlight. The UV radiation causes roof felt to break down and become brittle, reducing its flexibility and performance. Age, general tear and wear and weather exposure are other common reasons why you might need to replace your roof felt.

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