How long does roofing work take?
A small tile repair is usually a few hours. A full re-roof on an average semi-detached house commonly takes 1-2 weeks including scaffolding, weather permitting — roofing work is one of the more weather-dependent trades, so timelines can shift.
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.
Dormer windows and roofline alterations
A dormer window (as opposed to a flush skylight) changes the roofline itself and almost always needs both planning consideration and Building Regulations sign-off, unlike a straightforward re-roof. This is more involved than most roofing work and often overlaps with loft conversion specialists.
Signs your roof needs attention
Slipped, cracked or missing tiles, sagging in the roofline, daylight visible through the roof from the loft, and damp patches on ceilings are all signs worth having checked. A few slipped tiles is usually a repair; sagging or widespread wear across the whole roof usually points toward a full re-roof being better value than repeated repairs.
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 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.
Common roofing jobs
Roofers handle full re-roofs, repairs to individual slipped or cracked tiles, flat roof replacement, guttering, fascias and soffits, and leadwork around chimneys and roof valleys. Emergency work — storm damage, a leak during heavy rain — is usually handled separately from planned re-roofing.