It’s the first question almost everyone asks: how much will my roof repair cost? It’s a fair question. The honest answer is that no roofer can give you a proper figure until they’ve seen the roof. Anyone who quotes a price over the phone without knowing what’s wrong is guessing, and guesses have a habit of going up once the ladder’s on the wall.
What we can do is explain what actually drives the cost of a roof repair. Then you’ll know what you’re paying for, and you can spot a quote that doesn’t add up.
1. What’s actually wrong
A single slipped tile and a leaking valley can produce the same damp patch on your ceiling, but they’re very different jobs. That’s why the first step should always be a proper inspection to find the cause, not just the symptom. Common repairs, roughly from simplest to most involved, are:
- Replacing a few slipped or broken tiles or slates
- Re-bedding or re-fixing ridge and hip tiles
- Repairing or replacing lead flashing around chimneys and walls
- Chimney repointing and flaunching
- Flat roof repairs on extensions and garages
- Relaying a valley
- Replacing rotten battens or timbers under a section of roof
2. Access
Access is often the single biggest factor. A repair that can be reached safely from a ladder or roof ladder is one thing. A repair on a three-storey Victorian house, or a chimney stack in the middle of the roof, may need scaffolding to do safely. Scaffolding isn’t optional padding on a quote. It’s what keeps roofers alive, and it’s required for working at height. Be wary of anyone who says they’ll “just nip up” to a high roof without proper access.
3. Materials
Matching materials matters. Concrete tiles are widely available. Reclaimed clay tiles or specific natural slates to match a period roof can take more sourcing. On heritage and listed buildings, traditional materials such as Collyweston slate or lead may be required.
4. The size of the job
It sounds obvious, but a repair confined to one small area costs less than work spread across the roof. If problems are appearing everywhere, such as slipping slates across the whole roof or perished felt throughout, it may be better value to consider a re-roof than to keep paying for repairs. A good roofer will tell you honestly which makes more sense.
5. Emergency or planned?
Emergency work, such as making a roof watertight after a storm, is about protecting your home first. A reputable firm will make it safe, then quote separately and fairly for the permanent repair rather than using the emergency to pressure you.
How to make sure you get a fair price
- Get it in writing. A written quote should say what’s being done, not just a total.
- Ask what’s causing the problem. A roofer who has properly inspected the roof can explain it and show you photos.
- Check insurance. Ask for public liability cover. Ours is £5,000,000.
- Ask about guarantees. Workmanship should be guaranteed in writing.
- Watch for prices that change once work starts. Hidden damage can occasionally come to light, but a quote that keeps growing is a warning sign.
- Avoid cold-callers. Established local roofers rely on reputation and recommendation, not knocking on doors.
Our approach to pricing
At Allen Roofing, every job is priced individually after a free inspection. Our prices are always fair and reasonable, the quote is in writing, and the price we quote is the price you pay. We’ve been roofing in Lincoln since 1980, and most of our work still comes through recommendation. That doesn’t happen if customers feel overcharged.
If you need a roof repair in Lincoln or anywhere in Lincolnshire, get in touch for a free quote, or read more about our roof repairs in Lincoln.