FREE TOOL · 2026 PRICES
Instant UK roofing cost estimate by roof area, pitch, material type, and extras — built on 2026 trade pricing so your quotes hit right first time.
Measure the actual roof surface, not the floor footprint. Add ~15% for a typical pitch.
Strip / remove old roof
Adds £8–£15 per m² for stripping and skip hire
Low Estimate
£5,670
£95/m²
High Estimate
£9,240
£154/m²
A roofing estimate is more than materials multiplied by area. Four variables drive the real cost, and getting any of them wrong leads to underquoting or losing the job on price.
The first variable is the actual roof surface area — not the floor footprint. A medium-pitch roof (25°) adds approximately 15% to the floor plan measurement. Steeper roofs add more. Roofers measure every face separately, including dormers and lean-tos, then total the surface. Getting this right prevents material shortfalls mid-job.
Roof pitch affects both material quantity (steeper pitches require more overlap per row) and labour cost (working on a steep roof is slower, riskier, and requires more safety equipment). A steep pitch (35°+) can add 30–45% to the labour element of the job. This calculator applies separate multipliers to materials and labour so the output reflects real-world costs, not averaged guesses.
Material choice drives the biggest cost swing. Felt/GRP flat roofing starts at £40/m² supplied; natural slate can reach £140/m². In the UK, concrete and clay interlocking tiles remain the most common choice for pitched roofs, balancing cost, longevity (50+ years), and availability through builders' merchants. Metal standing-seam is growing in popularity for contemporary builds and is priced between slate and tile. All prices shown are 2026 trade supply rates — add VAT if applicable.
Stripping an existing roof adds £8–£15/m² for the labour plus skip hire. Skylights each add £300–£600 for the unit, flashing, and fitting. These “extras” are frequently omitted from headline quotes and cause the biggest disputes at job end — always include them upfront.
WORKED EXAMPLE
Dan is a roofer quoting to strip and re-tile a 3-bedroom semi-detached in Birmingham. The floor plan is 6×8m (48 m²). The medium pitch (25°) adds 15%, giving a roof surface area of 55 m². He's using concrete interlocking tiles (£55–£85/m²) and stripping the old tiles. Here's how the estimate builds:
Roof area
55 m²
Pitch mult (labour)
×1.25
Materials (tiles)
£3,025–£4,675
Labour
£1,719–£3,094
Strip existing
£440–£825
No skylights
£0
Total estimate range
£5,184 – £8,594
£94–£156 per m² · includes strip, tiles & labour
Scaffolding (typically £600–£1,200 for a semi) is not included — always quote this separately. Adjust the calculator above for your specific job dimensions and material choice.
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Common questions about roofing costs in the UK.
UK roof replacement costs range from £65–£205 per m² depending on material and pitch. Felt/GRP flat roofs are cheapest (£65–£105/m²), concrete or clay tiles sit in the middle (£80–£130/m²), and natural slate is the most expensive (£115–£185/m²). Labour accounts for roughly 35–45% of the total. Always get 3 quotes from NFRC-registered roofers.
A typical UK semi-detached house has a roof area of 55–75 m². Using concrete tiles and stripping the old roof, expect a total cost of £6,500–£12,000 depending on pitch, access, and local labour rates. London and South East prices run 20–30% higher than the national average. This includes materials, labour, scaffolding, and disposal.
Yes — stripping an existing roof typically adds £8–£15 per m² and requires skip hire. Many customers forget this until the quote arrives. Including it upfront prevents disputes and shows professionalism. The calculator adds this automatically when you toggle it on.
Start with the actual roof surface area (not the floor footprint — add roughly 15% for a medium pitch). Multiply by the material cost per m² for your chosen tile or slate. Add a 10–15% wastage allowance for cuts and breakages. Don't forget underlays, battens, ridge tiles, flashing, and fixings — these add a further £8–£20 per m² depending on specification.
Felt flat roofs typically last 10–15 years; GRP (fibreglass) flat roofs last 25+ years and cost slightly more to install but far less over a lifetime. Converting a flat roof to a pitched tile roof is a much larger structural project, typically costing £15,000–£30,000+. In most cases, upgrading to GRP rather than converting the structure is the better value option.
Steeper pitches increase both material requirements (more overlap needed) and labour time. A steep pitch (35°+) can add 30–45% to labour costs compared to a flat roof due to safety equipment, slower working pace, and more complex detailing around ridges and valleys.
In most cases, like-for-like roof replacement is covered by permitted development rights and does not require planning permission. Exceptions include listed buildings, conservation areas, or if you are changing the roof shape, materials, or adding features like dormer windows. Always check with your local planning authority before starting work.
Roofers typically charge £200–£440 per day in the UK, depending on experience, location and whether they bring a labourer. Experienced roofers in London charge £350–£500+/day. For large jobs, many roofers price per m² (£35–£60 for labour only) rather than day rate. Always ask whether scaffolding is included in the quote.
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