If your roof in Girton has reached the point where repairs are no longer keeping up with the problems, Ely Roofers carries out full roof replacements to get it right for the long term.
A roof replacement is a significant outlay, and the natural question is whether it is really necessary or whether more repairs would do. The honest answer depends on the age of the roof, how many repairs it has already had, and what condition the felt underlay and timbers are in. A roof that is losing tiles regularly, whose felt has failed, and whose mortar is crumbling from the ridge is costing money every year in call-outs - and still getting closer to the point of needing full replacement. At some point, a single replacement is cheaper than the total of continued repairs.
A straightforward inspection from roof level will give you the information you need to make that decision. If you are weighing up repair versus replacement, ask a roofer to be specific about how much useful life the existing roof has left.
Roof replacement costs vary quite a bit depending on the size of the roof, the pitch, the materials chosen, and what is found once the old covering comes off. As a general guide, a full roof replacement on a standard three-bedroom semi-detached house in the Cambridge area typically costs between £5,500 and £9,000, including scaffolding, materials and labour. Larger detached properties with more complex roof shapes - hips, valleys, dormers, multiple chimneys - can run from £10,000 upwards.
These figures give a starting point, but the actual cost for any specific job depends on several factors. Understanding what pushes prices up or down helps you interpret a quote sensibly and ask the right questions.
The biggest single variable in the cost of a replacement is what goes back on the roof. Natural Welsh slate is at the premium end - the material itself costs more per square metre than concrete tile, and it takes longer to lay because each slate is fixed individually. For a standard roof, the difference in material and labour cost between natural slate and concrete interlocking tile can be £1,500 to £3,000 or more on a semi-detached house.
Clay plain tiles sit between the two: more expensive than concrete but less so than natural slate, and they lay relatively quickly. Reclaimed slates are another option for matching the look of an older roof, but quality varies, so any reclaimed slate used should be checked carefully for thickness, porosity and nail hole condition before being specified.
A simple gable-ended roof with two plain slopes is the quickest and cheapest shape to replace. Every additional feature adds time and material. Hipped roofs require more cutting and fitting at the corners. Valleys need lead lining or carefully cut tiling. Dormers add junctions and flashings. A chimney breast requires flashings on two or three sides. Each of these elements is individually straightforward, but on a complex roof they accumulate.
If your property has a rear extension with a lower-level roof, that junction between the main roof and the extension roof is often where problems start - water sits in the angle and works its way in. Getting that junction detailed correctly is worth doing properly when the main roof is being replaced.
Scaffolding is not optional on a full replacement - it is required for safe working at height and for handling the volume of materials. For a standard semi-detached house, scaffolding typically adds £700 to £1,200 to the job depending on the property. Taller houses, those on corners, or properties with restricted access to one or more sides will cost more. Ask specifically whether scaffolding is included in any quote or priced separately, because the answer varies between contractors.
Until the old covering is stripped, the full condition of the roof cannot be assessed. Roofs that have been leaking for some time may have timber damage that only becomes visible once the tiles or slates are off. Replacing or sistering damaged rafters, renewing a rotten ridge board, or treating timbers for woodworm all add cost. A small contingency - typically 5 to 10 per cent of the quoted price - is a sensible allowance for any replacement job, particularly on older properties.
A common problem is that homeowners are caught off guard by timber costs because no one explained this possibility upfront. Any roofer worth instructing will flag this before starting and show you the findings rather than presenting the bill as a surprise.
A full roof strip generates a large volume of waste - heavy, awkward material that needs to go into a skip or onto a flatbed. Skip hire and disposal charges vary by area and by the size of the roof. This is sometimes included in a fixed price and sometimes charged as an addition. Clarify this before any work starts.
Choosing a concrete interlocking tile over natural slate is the most straightforward way to reduce cost without compromising the quality or longevity of the work. Concrete tiles have a substantial lifespan and perform well on standard pitched roofs.
A simpler roof shape naturally costs less. If you have a choice - for example on a new extension roof - a gable end design is cheaper to reroof in future than a hipped design.
Timing can also be a factor. Roofing contractors are generally busier in spring and summer. Instructing work in autumn or winter (weather permitting) sometimes allows more flexibility on scheduling, though this should not be the primary reason to rush or delay a decision.
A written quote for a roof replacement should set out clearly what is being replaced (tiles or slates, ridge system, underlay, battens), what the scaffolding arrangements are, how waste disposal is handled, and what happens if additional timber repairs are found. If any of these items are missing from a quote, ask about each one before you sign anything.
Be cautious of any quote that is significantly below others without a clear explanation of why. In roofing, very low prices usually mean something has been left out, the material grade has been reduced, or the labour time has been cut short.
A like-for-like replacement on a standard residential property generally does not need planning permission. If the property is listed, or sits in a conservation area, changing the material or profile of the roof covering may require consent. Check before ordering materials - your local planning authority's website will have the relevant guidance.
We carry out roof replacements in Girton and throughout the surrounding area, including nearby villages and towns. If you are not sure whether we cover your location, call and ask.
If your roof in Girton is giving you concern, the first step is a proper look at it - not a quote from the ground. Call Ely Roofers to arrange a roof survey, and we will give you a straight assessment of whether replacement is the right course of action and what it is likely to cost for your specific property.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
