What a roof survey actually checks
A proper roof survey looks beyond the visible tiles — timber condition in the loft, flashing around chimneys and valleys, ventilation, and signs of past repairs. Worth requesting one before buying a property with an older roof, since problems aren't always visible from ground level or even from inside the loft.
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.
Roof insulation, where it goes
Loft insulation (laid flat, cheap, effective) is different from insulating the roof slope itself (needed if the loft is being converted into living space). A re-roof is often the most cost-effective time to upgrade roof-level insulation, since the covering is already off.
What NFRC membership means
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors is the largest UK roofing trade body, representing over 60% of the industry. NFRC members are vetted on technical competence and financial standing, and some offer an insurance-backed guarantee on top of their own workmanship guarantee — worth asking whether this applies to your quote.
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.
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.
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.
Roofing emergencies — what to do
For a leak during a storm, contain the water inside (a bucket, moving belongings) rather than attempting a repair on a wet or high-wind roof yourself. Photograph any visible damage from the ground for an insurance claim before it's repaired. Tarping over a damaged section is a common temporary fix while a full repair is arranged.