Ely Roofers carries out roof repairs in Girton, covering everything from broken tiles and slipped slates to failed chimney flashings and leaking flat roofs.
One of the first questions homeowners ask is how much a roof repair will cost. The honest answer is that the price depends on several factors, and any roofer who quotes a firm price without getting up on the roof is guessing. This page sets out realistic cost ranges for the most common repairs, and explains the specific things that push a price up or bring it down - so you can make sense of quotes and ask the right questions.
Roof repairs include replacing broken, slipped or missing tiles and slates, re-bedding or replacing ridge, hip and verge sections, repairing or replacing lead flashing around chimneys and in valleys, fixing damaged felt or EPDM rubber on flat roofs, and investigating and resolving leaks. We will not recommend a full replacement if a repair will do the job properly.
The figures below reflect current UK pricing for the most common jobs. They are starting points, not fixed prices - the actual cost depends on what is found when the roofer inspects the roof at close range.
Several factors can take a repair from the lower end of the range to the higher end, or extend the scope of the job once it is underway.
Roof pitch and access. A steep roof takes longer to work on safely. Scaffold may be needed rather than a ladder and roof ladder, which adds cost. A standard ladder and roof ladder is usually sufficient for most tile replacements on a typical two-storey house, but anything more extensive on a steep pitch, or work on a higher property, often needs scaffold. When a roofer mentions scaffold, ask what it covers and how long it will be in place.
Underlying damage discovered during the repair. A broken tile is sometimes just a broken tile. But once the surrounding tiles are lifted, the roofer may find that the felt underneath has split, that a batten has rotted, or that a larger area of pointing has failed. Any of these extends the scope and cost. A reputable roofer will stop, show you what has been found, and agree the additional work before continuing.
Material matching. Concrete interlocking tiles are easy to match and inexpensive. Natural slate - especially Welsh or reclaimed slate to match an older roof - costs significantly more per unit and takes longer to source. Handmade clay plain tiles or original pantiles can require a specialist reclaimed tile supplier, adding both material cost and lead time. Getting the match right matters: tiles that do not seat correctly leave gaps and can cause further problems.
Chimney stack condition. A chimney stack is one of the more complex parts of a roof repair. Flashing fails where the lead meets the brickwork, but the brickwork itself is often in poor condition too - crumbling pointing, soft mortar joints, or saturated brick. A flashing repair on a chimney that also needs its pointing raked out and repointed will cost more than a flashing repair alone. If the chimney pot is loose or the haunching (the cement cap around the base of the pot) has cracked, that is additional work.
Flat roof condition. On a flat roof, small localised blisters or punctures are straightforward. But if the deck beneath the felt is wet or has started to delaminate, the surface repair alone will not hold. Replacing decking boards under a flat roof section adds to the cost but is necessary if the substrate has failed.
Urgency. Emergency call-outs after storm damage, or repairs needed quickly before a property sale, can carry a premium depending on the roofer and how much disruption is involved in prioritising the job.
Catching a problem early is the most effective way to keep repair costs manageable. A handful of slipped tiles dealt with quickly costs a fraction of what the same roof costs to repair after two winters of water ingress have rotted a section of batten and softened the felt. Having your roof inspected after a significant storm, or every few years as a matter of course, is money well spent.
Using the right material the first time also matters. Cheap sealant-based repairs on lead flashing, or mismatched tiles that sit incorrectly, tend to fail again within a few years. A repair done properly with the correct materials is cheaper in the long run than a series of patch jobs.
A good quote for roof repair work should set out exactly what is being repaired, what materials are being used, and what is excluded. Be cautious of quotes that are given from the ground without a proper roof inspection - the price will almost certainly change once the roofer gets up there. Ask whether the quote covers all associated work (pointing, felt, battens) or only the tiles or slates themselves.
If you are comparing quotes from two or more roofers, make sure they are quoting for the same scope of work. A lower price that excludes the felt or pointing is not a better deal.
Like-for-like roof repairs using similar materials do not normally require planning permission under permitted development rules. If your property is listed or sits within a conservation area, even routine repairs may require consent before work starts. Check with the local planning authority if you are unsure - this is worth confirming before rather than after the work is done.
After a period of strong wind, ridge tiles can shift or fall, tiles can crack or slip, and flashings can lift. The priority is to make the roof watertight as quickly as possible. A temporary covering can protect the structure while a proper repair is organised. Ridge tiles dislodged in a storm can be re-bedded in mortar or secured with a dry-fix clip system once it is safe to access the roof.
Before booking any roofer, check that they cover your location and can attend within a reasonable time, particularly if you live in a village close to Girton.
Roof repair costs in the Girton area typically range from around £150 for a straightforward tile replacement up to £700 or more for chimney flashing or valley lead work. The exact cost depends on the type of damage, the pitch of the roof, the materials needed, and what is found on close inspection. A roofer should always inspect the roof before giving a firm price.
Yes. Ridge tiles that have shifted, cracked or fallen can be re-bedded in mortar or secured using a dry-fix system. Dry-fix is now the preferred method on new work because it does not crack or shrink over time the way mortar can.
Yes. We assess the current condition of the roof and carry out whatever repair is needed, regardless of who did previous work. If earlier repairs used the wrong materials or method, we will explain what needs to be corrected.
A repair is the right choice where damage is limited and the rest of the roof is sound. Replacement becomes necessary when the felt has failed across most of the roof, battens are widely rotten, or the tiles have reached the end of their service life. A roofer should be able to explain clearly which applies after a proper inspection.
If you have noticed a leak, seen damage from the ground, or had concerns after recent wind, call us to arrange a roof inspection in Girton. We will tell you what is wrong, what the repair involves, and what it is likely to cost before any work begins.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
