Signs you may need this
- Tiles crumbling, flaking or failing across a whole slope
- Repeated leaks in different places after repairs
- Sagging roof lines or soft, spongy timber in the loft
- Roof is 40 to 60 years old, or older for concrete and some clay tiles
- No underlay, or underlay that is torn and rotted (common on older roofs)
A new roof, done once and done properly
Replacing a roof is one of the biggest jobs you will do on a house, and the quality of the work underneath the tiles matters as much as the tiles themselves. We strip the old covering, check the rafters and fix or replace any rotten timber, fit new treated battens and a modern breathable underlay, then lay the new tiles or slates, with new lead, ridge and hip fittings and dry-fix verge systems where suitable.
At the end the roof is swept, the gutters are cleared and the site is left tidy. The old materials are taken away.
Tile and slate options
- Concrete tiles are durable, widely available and the usual choice for modern re-roofs.
- Clay tiles keep their colour for decades and suit period homes and conservation areas.
- Natural slate is long lasting and has a fine, traditional look, but costs more, and needs a roofer who knows how to fix it correctly.
- Fibre-cement and composite slates give a slate look at a lower price on suitable roofs.
We will talk you through the options, show you samples and explain the trade-offs on cost, weight, life and appearance. Heavier coverings need the roof structure checked first.
What is included in a full re-roof
- Scaffold erected to the edges of the roof for safe working.
- Old tiles, battens and underlay stripped and removed.
- Structure checked and any defective timber repaired or replaced.
- Breathable underlay and new treated battens fixed to specification.
- New tiles or slates laid, with ridge, hip, verge and eaves details finished.
- New lead flashings around chimneys, abutments and valleys where needed.
- Gutters cleared, roof swept and all waste removed.
Planning, building regulations and your neighbours
Re-roofing with the same type of covering usually does not need planning permission. Changing materials on a listed building, or in a conservation area, can need consent. Building regulations may apply to the work, in particular insulation requirements when a significant part of a roof is replaced. We will advise on what applies to your property, and you can confirm with your local council's building control if you want certainty. If you share a party wall, tell your neighbours about the work in advance. It is polite, and it avoids problems.
Getting an accurate quote
The best quotes come after we have measured the roof, looked at the loft and agreed the materials with you. We give a written, itemised price with the specification and an expected timescale, so you can compare it like for like with any other quote you receive.
Questions about new roofs and re-roofing
How long does a re-roof take?
A typical house takes between three and seven working days once the scaffold is up, depending on size, complexity and the weather. Larger or more complicated roofs, or those that need extra timber repair, take longer. We give you an expected timescale in the quote.
Do I need to move out while the roof is replaced?
No. It is noisy and a bit dusty, but the house remains usable. We recommend moving cars away from the drive and bringing in garden furniture and anything fragile from the loft or upper rooms.
How long should a new roof last?
It depends on the covering and the quality of installation. Concrete and clay tiles commonly last 40 to 60 years or more, and natural slate can last a great deal longer. Poor fixing, blocked gutters and heavy moss shorten that, which is why the details underneath matter.
Do I need building regulations approval for a new roof?
Often yes, in part. Replacing a significant portion of a roof can trigger insulation requirements under the building regulations. Like-for-like repairs are normally exempt. We tell you what is likely to apply to your job and you can check with your local council's building control team.
Should I replace the felt and battens too?
In nearly every full re-roof, yes. Reusing old, brittle battens and perished underlay saves a little now but undermines the new roof. Modern breathable underlay and treated battens are a small part of the cost and a large part of the lifespan.
Can you work around my budget?
We can offer different materials, or phase work such as doing the main slopes first, so you can match the job to your budget without cutting corners on the details that keep the water out.
Related advice
Where we work
We carry out new roofs and re-roofing across Hampshire and the south of England, from our base in Farnborough to Aldershot, Fleet, Camberley, Farnham, Hook, Basingstoke, Guildford, Woking, Reading, Winchester, Andover, Alton, Southampton, Bournemouth, London. Not on the list? Call 07498170924 and we will tell you straight away.