Find Roofing Services in the UK

The time it takes to install a new roof can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the size and complexity of the roof structure, the type of roofing material used, weather conditions, and the experience and efficiency of the roofing company.

With that said, a new roof installation can take between a few days and a few weeks. For this reason, it’s common for roof service requests to increase in the summer months when the likelihood of rain is much lower.

If you’re planning on building a new roof, there are many different types of roofs to choose from – here’s a run-through of the most popular roof designs and structures in the UK:

• Gable roofs are hugely popular in the UK. With two sloping panes that meet at a ridge, gable roofs are simple to design, cost effective, and offer reliable water drainage.

• Hipped roofs have slopes on all four sides, with each side meeting at a common ridge. With a uniform appearance, hipped roofs are more stable and wind-resistant than gable roofs.

• Mansard roofs have two slopes on each of their four sides, with the lower slopes being steeper than the upper slopes. Mansard roofs maximise usable space and are most often found in historic and period buildings.

• Gambrel roofs are like mansard roofs, with two slopes on each side. With gambrel roofs, though, the lower slope is steeper than the upper slope. These are commonly found on barns and farmhouses.

• Flat roofs are either totally or nearly horizontal and can offer space for rooftop gardens, solar panels, and other outdoor living spaces. They are, however, most common with commercial properties.

• Shed roofs feature a single plane that slopes downwards from one side to the other. Simple in design, shed roofs are generally used for outbuildings and contemporary homes.

• Lean-to roofs are similar to shed roofs, but while shed roofs are independent roof structures, lean-to roofs are attached to a larger building or structure – making them a common choice for additions and extensions.

These are far and away the most popular roof shapes and types in the UK, but there are some other more niche designs that you could consider. To find the most suitable choice for your property, consider your building’s architectural style, the local weather, and planning permission restrictions.

If you’re repairing the roof and simply replacing broken or missing roof tiles, you won’t need planning permission. Likewise, like-for-like roof replacements usually do not require planning permission, as these projects fall within permitted rights.

With that said, in some situations, you might need planning permission. If you’re changing the type of roof you have installed – the roof pitch or height – it’s very likely you’ll need planning permission. Likewise, if you’re changing the roofing material, planning permission might be needed.

Roofers might be able to offer some advice and guidance on whether planning permission is required for your proposed alterations. Contact your local planning authority for clarification if you're ever in doubt.

If you can recognise signs of roof damage or decay early, you can prevent further deterioration and limit the cost of roof repairs. Here are the most common signs of roof damage to keep an eye out for:

• Leaks indicate a serious vulnerability in your roof. You might have a roof leak if there’s evidence of water damage, like discolouration, peeling paint, or mould growth.

• Missing roof shingles and tiles leave your property vulnerable and allow for water penetration. Look for missing and cracked tiles and shingles, then react quickly if you find them.

• Visible debris like leaves and branches could suggest ineffective drainage or damage to the roofing materials, though a thorough roof cleaning might just be needed.

• Damaged roof flashing around chimneys, vents, and rooflights allows water to seep into your property. Roof flashing is deliberately installed in these spaces because they’re higher risk, so immediate repairs are a must.

• Sagging roof decks could indicate a structural issue and weakening of your roof’s supports. It suggests a structural flaw and will lead to sitting water, which causes further damage.

• Moss growth points towards excess moisture and an inadequate level of roof ventilation. This can result in roof decay, rot, and deterioration over time if it’s left unresolved.

• Interior damage, including signs of water infiltration and roof supports rotting and decaying, are indicators that your roof needs help. Rotting supports, in particular, require immediate attention.

Each of these signs demands further investigation. Since roofs are hard to access – and you might not recognise where issues are present without experience or expertise – it’s best to hire a roofer who can complete a roof survey. This thorough inspection will bring any existing or emerging issues to light.

Worried about repair expenses? Take a moment to read our guide on the cost of roof repairs for some useful information.

In the UK, buildings insurance (or home insurance, combining buildings and content insurance) usually covers roof repairs – to an extent. However, coverage for roof repairs varies depending on policy terms and conditions.

If storms or falling trees cause roof leaks and other forms of roof damage, there’s a good chance your insurer will cover the roof repair costs (or a portion of them). On the other hand, if damage results from wear and tear, or might have been avoided if you’d carried out regular roof maintenance, they might reject your claim.

For this reason, it’s good to keep evidence of roof repair and maintenance work you’ve had done, since this proves that inadequate maintenance is not the reason behind damage to your roof.

In general, professional roofers recommend having a roof survey completed every year. Ideally, this should take place in the autumn, as this will give you a better idea of your roof’s condition before the harsh winter weather sets in.

It might surprise you to learn that even newer roofs can falter during challenging periods of weather. For this reason, you should take a proactive approach to roof inspections – and roof maintenance, more generally – even if you’ve only recently had a new roof installed.

Roof leaks can wreak havoc on your property, so it’s wise to proactively protect your property wherever possible. Here are a few tips and tricks that can help you stop leaks from occurring:

• Arrange regular roof inspections to find issues and vulnerabilities that could lead to leaks if they’re left unresolved. This is the most effective way to prevent roof leaks.

• Replace or repair damaged or missing roof tiles as quickly as possible. Any problem areas will allow water to penetrate the roof and cause internal damage. The possible consequences include rot, decay, and the spread of mould.

• Clear gutters and downspouts to prevent debris build-up and ensure rainwater is drained away from the roof. Regular gutter cleaning is a staple component of roof maintenance; and, luckily, gutter cleaning costs are not particularly high.

• Install roof ventilation to clamp down on moisture in your roof’s interior structure. This can create a second line of defence that dramatically reduces the chance of leaks.

• Check roof flashing regularly to make sure it isn’t torn or hasn’t peeled away from your roof’s structure. Roof flashing is placed in the most vulnerable spots, so its condition is fundamentally important.

• Trim overhanging branches that could damage the roof during stormy or inclement weather. These branches can cause tears or punctures that lead to water ingress.

Each of these tips can help you stop water from damaging your property, but the main tool at your disposal is vigilance. Keep an eye out for trouble and you’ll catch problems before they cause major damage to your property.

The cost of cleaning roofs varies depending on roof style, size, roofing material, and the extent of the cleaning required. Keep in mind that the accessibility of the roof and your location can also have an impact on pricing.

In general, though, you should expect to pay between £10 and £20 per square metre, depending on the cleaning technique you choose. Soft washing, steam cleaning, and pressure washing are all viable options – but what you can use might depend on your roof’s design and accessibility.

If you have moss on your roof, home remedies like roof moss killer aren’t likely to work. Instead of an over-the-counter roof moss remover, consider a roof moss removal service. Hand-scraping is a cheap, effective solution, but biocide treatments will give longer-lasting results – even if they cost more.

Since roofs are such an essential part of any property, you need to make sure you're hiring a high-quality roofing contractor to install, repair, and maintain the structure. Here are the most important questions to ask when hiring roofing contractors for a project.

• What type of roofing work have you completed before? Can you show examples of your previous work?

There are many different types of roof structures and styles, built from a range of materials. When hiring a roofing contractor, you need to feel sure that you're getting a professional who has relevant experience for your request.

Check if they've worked on the type of roof you have in mind – pitched or flat roofs, for example – straight away. You don't want to pay the cost of installing roof trusses only to discover the person you've hired has only worked on flat roofs before.

If they say they have the right experience, ask for evidence of their previous work. If it looks high quality, you might be onto a winner.

• What qualifications do you hold? Are you a member of any professional bodies?

You should only hire roofing contractors when you feel sure they know what they're doing. Formal roofing qualifications are not legally required for roofers in the UK, but you still might prefer to hire a roofing contractor who has gone through a formal education process.

You can ask whether they have any formal qualifications – National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ), for example – and for evidence of their training. They should also hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card that allows them to work on construction sites.

Whether they hold formal qualifications or not, you can also check whether they're registered with any industry bodies, like the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) or the Confederation of Roofing Contractors (CORC).

• Do you have public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance?

Roofing can be dangerous work, and accidents are a real possibility. When something goes wrong, it could damage your property or harm either you or the roofing contractors. In cases where the roofers are at fault, it's important that they hold the proper insurance coverage.

Always ask whether roofing contractors have public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance. If they do, you should easily be covered and compensated in the event there's an accident. When roofers don't have the proper insurance, it's a sign you should consider other professionals instead.

• Can you provide any references from previous clients?

Knowing a roofer is qualified and experienced is great, but reading reviews and speaking to previous clients is the easiest way to get real insights into their service quality. Always ask for a handful of references from previous clients, ideally those who have asked for something similar to your request.

This way, you can learn about their service standards, communication style, value for money, and how they handle problems when they arise. If the roofing contractor won't supply references, it could be because they're hiding low-quality work and dissatisfied clients.

• Do you offer any guarantees or warranties for your work?

Reputable roofing contractors will stand behind the quality of their work by offering warranties or guarantees. These terms give you peace of mind, knowing that if something with the roofing work they complete goes wrong or is flawed, the contractors will step in and make things right.

Remember, not all roofing contractors offer guarantees or warranties. For those that do, conditions can differ considerably – that means you need to ask what they cover and for how long. If they aren't willing to offer any guarantees or warranties at all, consider choosing an alternate roofing contractor.

• What are your payment terms and conditions?

The total price you pay for roofing work is important, but how and when you pay matters, too. You need to find out the price of the roofing work, with a detailed breakdown of the associated material and labour costs. That includes whether or not a deposit is required, and how much it would be.

With details like these in writing, it's far easier to compare quotes between roofers. For example, you might prefer to hire a roofing contractor who charges a little extra but offers better payment and deposit terms than the alternatives.

You also need to ask about change and cancellation terms, in case circumstances change partway through the work. Cancelling work at short notice could result in a breach of contract and lead to penalty charges. Make sure you fully understand the terms you're entering before agreeing to any work.

• How long will the roofing project take?

Major changes to a roof structure can be quite disruptive for you and the rest of your property. It's best to have a clear understanding of how long the roofing work will take and how it's going to affect you, given this.

Take a moment to ask roofing contractors how long they expect the work to take, and push for solid deadlines to hold them accountable. If they're giving you unclear answers or refusing to set deadlines, you might be better off hiring a different roofer instead.

• Can you provide a written contract?

Since roofing projects can be large and expensive, it's best to get a written contract in place that lays out all your expectations and the terms and conditions. This means that if you run into disagreements later on, you can point to the written contract to back up your case.

The contract should include the scope of work, payment terms (including amounts to be paid, payment dates, deposit requirements, and so on), timelines, materials, permit requirements, and anything else that could affect the successful delivery of the work.

• How do you handle post-completion issues and repairs under warranties or guarantees?

It's great if your roofer is willing to supply guarantees or warranties, handling issues that appear after the work is complete. But you still need to have a clear understanding of the process should any issues arise.

You won't want to wait around for weeks or months before a fix is delivered, so get clarity on this before moving ahead with a roofing professional. If a roofing contractor is vague or unclear about how they handle these situations, it might suggest an unwillingness to help should a situation arise.

Having a dispute with a roofer? Read TrustMark's guide on what to do if a project goes wrong.

Legally, roofers are not required to have public liability insurance. However, most roofers do have public liability insurance to protect themselves and their clients in the event of accidents, injuries, or damages.

When hiring a roofer, it’s always prudent to ask whether they have public liability insurance and employers’ liability cover (if they have more than one employee). If any of your local roofers don’t have this type of coverage, it’s possible you’re dealing with a dodgy business.