Roof replacement cost

Roofs often bear the brunt of the weather and may need to be repaired or, in some cases, completely replaced.

In this guide, we look at everything you need to know about replacing your roof, including roof replacement costs.

How much does a roof replacement cost?

The UK national average cost to replace a roof is £7,000, with most homeowners spending between £4,000 - £19,000 (the higher costs will be for a larger, more complex slate hip roof).

Roof installation costs range from £120 - £275 per m², but this depends on the size of the roof and the materials chosen for your roofing.

The different types of roofs to replace will also affect the cost.

• Average hip roof replacement cost: £9,250 - £18,000
• Average gable roof replacement cost: £7,000 - £16,250
• Average flat roof replacement cost: £2,800 to £7,500

Also, budget for a cost of £1,000 - £2,500 to remove your current roof before installing the replacement roof.

The full roof replacement costs will depend on the design of the roof, the roof tiles chosen, the size of the roof, and where you live in the UK.

The costs in the table reflect an average area of:

• 64m² hip roof
• 64m² gable roof
• 32m² flat roof

If you’re not looking for a complete roof replacement, check out our guide to roof repair costs. 

What is and isn’t included in a roof replacement quote?

When you receive a roof replacement quote, be sure to check what is and isn’t included in the cost.

Your roof replacement cost estimate will include all the roofing material and labour time, as well as other additional areas such as Velux windows, vents, and the chimney.

There will likely be additional cost estimates for:

• Scaffolding
• Existing roof removal
• Skips for disposing waste

You’ll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass our quality checks on Checkatrade.

How to calculate the roof replacement cost

A professional tradesperson will calculate the roof replacement cost by what’s required for the job.

A standard roof replacement project requires the following:

• Scaffolding – the cost to set up and remove, plus weekly hire – £700 - £1,300
• Removal of the existing roof – demolish and skip hire costs – £1,000 - £2,500
• Roof frame cost (including wall plates and anchor brackets) – average roof frame cost of £2,500 - £4,500 for a standard house build
• Type/material of roof cost (tiles or slate, including the membrane) – average slate roof cost of £2,800 - £7,000 for a standard house build
• *Insulation cost – £640 - £1,280 ( see * further information below)
• Fascia and soffit board installation cost – £1,900 - £2,500
• Guttering installation cost – around £650 - £900

*Updated Building Regulation rules relating to loft insulation

Since 2010, homeowners are required to update loft insulation to comply with current Building Regulation Standards whenever a property is to be either; re-roofed, have more than 25% of its existing roof replaced, or is to have an addition of at least 25% of the size of the existing house added.

In essence, the 2010 update referred to the retrospective renovation of existing homes. This Building Regulation change was made to expedite an increase in the overall thermal performance of the UK’s ageing housing stock. Additionally, this update aimed to reduce the associated carbon footprint.

For glass wool, the recommended minimum insulation depth is 270mm, and for rock wool, the suggested minimum is 250mm.

In the loft, there will typically already be some insulation installed between the ceiling joists that can be added to make up the shortfall, unless the current insulation is wet or damaged, in which case, it will need to be replaced.

Roof replacement quotes

Of all the jobs you can pay for on your property, replacing a roof is one of the biggest. As a result, the cost of roof replacement can be quite considerable, which is why we recommend getting multiple quotes before starting the job.

We recommend getting quotes from at least three local, and ideally recommended, roofing specialists. Make sure the tradesperson comes out to see your property rather than quoting from a satellite image, and make sure they assess your roof properly, both inside and outside.

Remember, quotes will vary by the type of roof needed, such as garage, conservatory or whole house, and will also be significantly affected by the tile material you require. This is why, when seeking quotes, it’s important first to know what you want re-roofing and in which type of tile.

How much does flat roof replacement cost?

Different suppliers will charge differing prices, but flat roofs tend to be cheaper to replace than standard designs.

Depending on what needs fixing, a flat roof replacement will cost between £2,800 to £7,500 and charged at £45 - £120 per m².

There can be additional costs, which generally occur if the contractor needs to replace either the guttering, fascias or soffits. Similarly, if contractors need to fit any extra insulation to help the roof meet building regulations, then this will also be charged.

What are the benefits of re-roofing?

There are a range of benefits to re-roofing, including:

• Improved protection – Re-roofing gives you the peace of mind that your home will be protected from the elements
• Increased energy efficiency – A re-roof can maximise the efficiency of your home by retaining heat better. This means less energy used to heat your home and fewer pennies on your energy bills
• A chance to give your home a facelift – It’s hard to underestimate the effect your roof has on how your home looks. After years of use, tiles can become discoloured. Replacing tiles can bring your roof back to life and improve the look of your home
• Adds value – A new roof can add value to your home and increase the kerb appeal for future buyers

What are the telltale signs that your roof needs replacing?

You may now be second-guessing yourself as to whether your roof does need replacing. We’ve included some of the key signs that your roof needs replacing:

Water damage

If you notice staining on your interior walls or on the ceiling, then it’s very likely that there’s a leak, and probably from your roof. Head up into the loft and take a look to see if you can see the leak and confirm it’s the roof.

Misshapen, sunken or missing tiles

You might think that your roof doesn’t look right, and it might be due to structural sagging. If that’s the case then go with your gut. Missing roof tiles could be the other issue here, and this could lead to further disappearing too, so it’s worth getting your roof checked by a professional.

Worn looking chimney flashing (the grey looking material that protects roof joints)

Old rooftop flashing will wear over time, making it rain’s best friend to get in your home. If it looks patchy or looks as though it’s peeling away then it would be time to review the entire roof structure.

Moss and mould growth

If there’s a lot of moss and mould inside your home, then check the roof.

Streaks of light coming into the attic

This is a big telltale sign that your roof needs urgent attention.

Damaged or rotten underlay

If you’re taking a look at the underlay in your roof and it’s damaged or rotting, then this is another big sign that your roof may need to be reroofed.

If your roof is over 20 years old

If it’s a case that your roof is just old, then it’s certainly worth getting your roof checked.

How long should a new roof last?

Most roofs last around 20 years without needing any work. More modern roofing materials can last a lot longer.

If you build your roof out of metal, then it can last between 50 to 100 years. For metal roofing however they are usually bespoke, so for a cost estimate, you will need to speak with a specialist contractor.

Clay and concrete roof tiles will last 25 to 40 years. However, roof life expectancy can be heavily affected by weather conditions. Extreme weather and even falling trees can reduce a roof’s lifespan.

How long will it take to replace your roof?

The time it will take to replace your roof will entirely depend on the size of the project. Expect anything from a week.

Can you replace a roof if you have solar panels?

It is easy to remove and re-install solar PV panels before and after the roofing works. But how complex and how costly it will be depends on these factors:

1. Is the tile type changing? If yes, the roof fixings for the panels will change, so that becomes more costly
2. Will the PV panel location or layout change? If yes, the number of fixings and rails required increases, so again, it is more costly
3. Are you re-installing the same number of PV panels? If not, it may be more costly as more or different inverters are required
4. Is the pitch or orientation of the roof changing? If yes, the performance of the system may be different, so again, the inverters may need replacing

Generally, solar PV panels are relatively flexible, there’s a wide variety of solar PV panels and inverters on the market, so removing/re-installing or replacing parts is not complex.

We recommend speaking to your original solar PV panel installers at the same time as your roofer. The works are heavily linked and will generally follow the schedule – PV system electrical isolation, PV system removal, roofing works, and PV system re-installation.

Please note: Be aware of any warranties/guarantees that may be in place, and speak to your original installer before doing any work. You could potentially void the warranty by not using the original installer for any modification works.

How much does a replacement conservatory roof cost?

If you came here to find out the cost to replace a conservatory roof, then we have a cost guide with much more information on this.

As a rough ballpark cost, the costs of conservatory roof replacement will be around £10,000.

Find out more in our conservatory roof replacement cost guide.

How much does a garage roof replacement cost?

The average single garage roof replacement cost is £40 - £60, assuming it’s a bitumen felt roof. This includes around £525 for materials and £425 for labour. However, the total replacement garage roof cost will depend on a number of factors, including:

• Material and style: The typical garage flat roof replacement cost is cheaper than the cost to replace a pitched roof with tile or slate
• Size of garage: A single garage roof replacement will normally cost less than that of a double garage
• Location: Labour costs can rise in some parts of the country
• Accessibility: If accessibility is an issue, your total garage roof replacement cost could climb significantly
• Time to complete: It should only take around 1 day to replace a garage flat roof, but it could take longer to replace other garage roof types
• Condition of the timber: If the timber beneath the roof covering needs replacing, this will add around £500 - £1,500 to the costs provided above.
• Asbestos: The average asbestos garage roof replacement cost will generally be much higher. You should budget between £500 - £1,000 in asbestos removal costs if you need to get asbestos corrugated sheets removed and disposed of.

Depending on all the above factors, your replacement garage roof cost could be as high as £4,000.

What is the best roof for a garage?

The best roof for a garage will all depend on your priorities. If your priority is reducing your new garage cost, a flat bitumen felt roof will be the most cost effective option at around £40 - £60 per m². The downside of this roof type, however, is that bitumen degrades when it’s exposed to water and sunlight, causing it to crack over time and allow water to leak onto the timber underneath.

Other roof types may be more expensive but they’ll also last longer. The typical rubber roofing cost for a garage is around £70 - £100 per m², while a fibreglass roof is likely to cost you around £90 - £130 per m².