Domestic vs commercial roofing work
Most roofers who work on homes also cover garages, outbuildings and small extensions, but larger commercial flat-roof work (warehouses, larger extensions) sometimes needs a roofer with specific experience in bigger membrane systems. Worth asking directly if your job is unusually large or non-standard.
Chimney repairs and rebuilds
A leaning or spalling (crumbling brick) chimney is a structural safety issue, not just cosmetic — some roofers handle chimney repointing and rebuilding themselves, others work alongside a bricklayer. If the chimney is still in use for a flue, check whether it needs to stay swept and functional during the work.
Roofing on extensions and new builds
A new roof needs to tie into the existing structure correctly at the junction — a common source of leaks on extensions is poor detailing at exactly this point, not the new roof covering itself. Timing roofing work before internal trades start avoids water damage to work done underneath.
Leadwork around chimneys and valleys
Lead flashing seals the joins where a roof meets a chimney, wall, or valley — a very common source of leaks when it perishes or is poorly installed, even if the roof tiles themselves are fine. If a leak keeps recurring in the same spot near a chimney, it's often the leadwork rather than the tiles that needs attention.
Roofing regulations, FAQ
Do I need planning permission for a new roof? Usually not for like-for-like replacement, but altering the roofline, adding a dormer, or working on a listed building often does. Do I need Building Regulations sign-off? Yes for most re-roofing work involving insulation changes — a competent roofer will handle or advise on this.
Scaffolding — why it's often a separate cost
Scaffolding is frequently quoted separately from the roofing work itself, priced by roof height, access and how long it's needed. For a small repair some roofers use a tower or ladder instead, but anything involving a full re-roof or significant chimney work usually needs full scaffolding for safety and building regulations reasons.
Roof orientation and solar suitability
A south-facing roof slope generally gets the most useful sun for solar panels, though east/west-facing roofs can still work reasonably well. A roofer or solar installer assessing suitability will look at pitch, orientation, shading from nearby trees or buildings, and roof structural capacity together.
What affects the cost
Cost depends on roof size and pitch (steeper roofs need more scaffolding and take longer), the material (slate costs more than concrete tile), access, and whether the existing roof structure (timbers, felt) needs work too, not just the visible covering. A straightforward repair is quick; a full re-roof including scaffolding commonly takes 1-3 weeks.