Why a written quote beats a phone guess
It's natural to want a ballpark figure straight away. The problem is that any number given without seeing the roof is a guess, and guesses have a habit of growing. Two houses on the same street can need very different work once you look at the chimneys, the valleys and the state of the timbers.
So we come out first. Jason looks at the roof from the ground, from the loft and, where it's safe, from a ladder, and then sends a free written quote that sets out what's included. Here's what goes into it.
Size, pitch and complexity
The area of the roof is the starting point, but shape counts for a lot. A simple gable roof with two plain slopes is the most straightforward. Hips, valleys, dormers, bay roofs and changes in level all add cutting, detailing and time.
Pitch matters too. A steep roof takes longer to work on safely, and very shallow pitches limit which tiles can be used. Height and the number of storeys feed into access, which we come to below.
Tiles or natural slate, new or reclaimed
Concrete tiles are the most common covering on newer West Country homes and are usually the more economical choice. Clay tiles and natural slate cost more, and slate in particular takes longer to fit because each one is fixed individually.
On older houses, and anywhere planning rules apply, you may need to match what's there already. Reclaimed slates or tiles can be a good match, and sometimes a proportion of the existing ones can be saved and reused, though that depends on their condition once they come off.
Scaffolding and access
Almost every re-roof needs scaffolding, both for safety and to let the work be done properly. The amount required depends on the height of the house, how many sides need covering, and how easy it is to get to. A terrace with no rear access, a conservatory in the way or a steep garden all add to the job.
Leadwork, chimneys and valleys
Every place where the roof meets something else needs sealing. Chimneys need lead flashings around them, and walls where the roof abuts a neighbour or a higher part of the house need the same. Valleys are lined with lead or a modern equivalent. The more of these details your roof has, the more work there is.
Chimneys deserve a mention of their own. While the scaffold is up, it usually makes sense to deal with any repointing or repairs at the same time. Our lead roofing and chimney repair pages explain that work.
Timbers found once stripped
Until the old covering is off, nobody can be completely sure what the rafters look like. Most of the time they're sound. Occasionally a rafter has rotted where a leak has gone unnoticed, or old repairs need sorting out. If we find anything like that, we stop, show you, and agree the cost in writing before going further.
What our re-roof quote covers
A full re-roof from us means stripping the old covering, then fitting new membrane, battens, tiles or slates and leadwork. Our re-roofs and new pitched roofs page goes through each step. If you're not yet sure a new roof is needed, a roof repair may be enough, and we'll say so.
To book a visit anywhere in Somerset or Devon within about 50 miles of Taunton, call 07399 680142 or use the contact form.