When your roof in Brundall has reached the end of its life, choosing the right contractor makes the difference between a job that lasts and one that causes problems within a few years.
A full roof replacement is not just new tiles on top of old ones. The process starts with stripping everything back - tiles or slates, battens and, where necessary, the existing felt underlay - so the roof structure beneath can be properly inspected. Any rotten or damaged rafters, ridge boards or purlins are identified at this stage and should be dealt with before new materials go on.
Once the structure is sound, new breathable membrane underlays are fitted, fresh battens are fixed, and the new covering is laid from eaves to ridge. Ridge tiles are re-bedded or dry-fixed, and all flashings at chimney stacks, parapet walls and abutments are replaced or re-pointed. The job finishes with a clear-up and a check of gutters and fascias.
A typical replacement on a standard three-bedroom semi-detached house in North Norfolk takes between three and five working days in reasonable weather, though more complex roofs or those needing structural repairs will take longer.
Prices vary with roof size, pitch, access, the material chosen and the condition of the structure underneath. As a broad guide, a full replacement on a standard semi-detached house using concrete or clay plain tiles typically costs between £5,000 and £10,000. Natural slate and larger or more complex roofs sit at the upper end and above. Flat roof replacements on extensions or garage roofs using EPDM rubber membrane typically run from £1,000 to £3,500 depending on size.
Any quotation based on a quick glance from the ground is not reliable. A proper price should follow a close inspection - from scaffolding or at least a safe ladder access - so the roofer can see the structure and confirm the scope before committing to a figure.
The roofing trade is largely unregulated, so the responsibility for vetting a contractor falls entirely on the homeowner. The questions you ask before agreeing to anything matter far more than a polished website or a van with a logo.
A contractor who knocks on your door unsolicited and claims to have spotted a problem while passing is a warning sign. Cold-calling roofers account for a disproportionate share of roofing disputes and substandard work. Obtain at least two or three quotations from contractors you have found independently - through a neighbour's recommendation, a local directory or a trade body listing.
Requests for a large cash deposit upfront, pressure to sign the same day, or an unwillingness to put things in writing are all reasons to look elsewhere. A reputable roofer is busy but not so desperate that they need your money before the work begins.
In most cases in England, a like-for-like re-roof on a dwelling does not require full Building Regulations approval, but it does require a Building Regulations notice if more than 25% of the roof covering is being replaced. Your contractor should be aware of this and should either handle the notification themselves through a competent person scheme or advise you to notify your local authority building control department. If a contractor tells you no notification is ever needed, that should prompt further questions.
Listed buildings and properties in conservation areas have additional requirements. Work on these properties may need listed building consent from the local planning authority regardless of the scale of the job. Always check before work starts rather than after.
We take on roofing as a standalone job; you do not need to bundle it with other building work.
Replacement flat roofs on extensions, garage roofs and outbuildings are a straightforward part of what we do. A flat roof replacement is a separate job from a pitched roof replacement and should be priced and assessed independently.
When scaffolding is already up for a roof replacement, it makes practical sense to check the fascias, soffits and guttering at the same time. Replacing rotten timber fascias with uPVC or replacing blocked and cracked guttering while access is already in place avoids a second scaffold contract later. Ask your roofer to include a check of these elements as part of the initial inspection.
If your roof in Brundall is showing its age - slipped tiles, persistent leaks, failing flashings or a felt underlay that is visibly deteriorating - call us to arrange a proper roof survey. We will inspect from close up, not from the kerb, and give you a written quotation that sets out exactly what the job involves.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
