Guttering and fascias, when to replace
Guttering that overflows in heavy rain, sags, or has visible cracks is worth replacing before it causes damp at the roofline or foundations. uPVC is the common low-maintenance choice; timber fascias on older properties need repainting periodically or replacing with uPVC to reduce upkeep.
Gutter clearing vs gutter replacement
Blocked gutters from leaves and debris are usually a clearing job, not a replacement one — worth getting cleared before assuming new guttering is needed. Persistent overflow even when clear, or visible sagging/cracking, points toward the guttering itself needing replacement rather than just clearing.
Understanding the labour vs materials split
Materials (tiles, felt, leadwork, scaffolding hire) are often a smaller share of a re-roof quote than labour, particularly given the time and access involved. A cheap quote is worth checking for the same tile/material spec as competing quotes, not just a lower labour day rate.
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.
Insurance-backed guarantees, explained
An insurance-backed guarantee protects you if the roofing company goes out of business during the guarantee period — a separate product from the roofer's own workmanship guarantee. Not every roofer offers this; worth asking specifically for larger jobs like a full re-roof.
Roofing felt vs breathable membrane
Older roofs often used bituminous felt underneath the tiles, which can perish and needs replacing during a re-roof; modern breathable membrane lasts longer and manages moisture better. If you're having a full re-roof, this underlay is worth confirming as part of the spec, not just the visible tiles.
Roof ventilation, why it matters
Poor roof ventilation can lead to condensation build-up in the loft space, which over time causes timber rot — a factor a roofer will often check during a re-roof, since it's a much cheaper fix to address at that point than as a standalone later repair.
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.