North Walsham Roofers replaces roofs across Sheringham, managing every stage of the job from the first inspection through to clearing the site.
A full roof replacement is one of the largest jobs a homeowner can have done. Understanding what happens at each stage helps you ask the right questions, follow the progress of the work, and know whether things are being done properly. This page walks through the process from first contact to finished job.
Before any price is given, a proper inspection is needed. That means getting eyes on the roof itself, not just looking at it from the ground. A roofer who quotes from a photograph or a pavement view cannot tell you the true condition of the structure underneath the covering.
A good inspection covers the slope and the ridge line from outside, the condition of the existing covering, the state of the flashings at chimneys and abutments, the fascias and soffits at eaves level, and - critically - a look inside the loft. The loft inspection shows the condition of the rafters, the wall plate, any purlins or struts, and whether there has been water ingress that is not yet visible from outside. Damp or stained timbers, sagging felt, or daylight showing through around the eaves all come to light here.
The inspection is also when the roofer should be measuring the roof accurately, identifying the pitch (which affects the minimum tile specification), and noting any complications such as roof lights, dormer cheeks, complex valleys or multiple chimney stacks.
Safe roof replacement requires scaffolding on all working faces of the roof. A roof that is being stripped exposes the interior of the property to the weather, so the scaffold also provides a base for temporary waterproof sheeting if the job runs across days with forecast rain. Any roofer working off ladders alone on a full re-roof is not operating safely, and that matters to you as the homeowner - if someone is injured on your property, the circumstances matter.
Scaffolding is normally erected by a separate scaffolding contractor and its cost is typically included in the re-roofing quote, or quoted separately. On a standard two-storey house, scaffolding alone can account for £800 to £1,500 of the overall project cost.
Once the scaffold is up, stripping begins. Tiles or slates come off first, loaded into a skip or builders bags on the scaffold rather than thrown from the roof. Ridge tiles, hip tiles and any mortar bedding are removed. The old roofing felt and battens come off last, exposing the rafters.
This is the stage where the real condition of the structure becomes clear. Problems that were invisible during the inspection - rotten sections of rafter, a failing wall plate, damaged purlin ends - are found now. A roofer who has quoted you a fixed price without a structural allowance may come back to you at this point with additional costs. A better approach is for the roofer to set out clearly in advance how additional structural finds will be handled and priced.
All stripped materials are waste and need to be properly disposed of. Old concrete or clay tiles go to a licensed tip and cannot simply be fly-tipped or left on the street. Confirm that waste disposal is included in what you have been quoted.
Any damaged timbers are repaired or replaced before the new covering goes on. This typically involves cutting out rotten sections of rafter and scarf-jointing in new treated timber, or sistering (bolting a new rafter alongside a damaged one). Wall plate replacements are more involved and require temporary support while the work is done.
This is also the point at which additional insulation can be laid between or over the rafters, if that is part of the brief. Cold roof insulation at ceiling level is straightforward; warm roof insulation above the rafters changes the build-up and may require Building Regulations approval - discuss this with your roofer before the structural stage begins.
With sound timbers confirmed, the new covering goes on in sequence. First, breathable roofing membrane (underlay) is fixed across the rafters, lapped correctly at joints and carried down to discharge into the gutter rather than onto the wall plate. Treated timber battens are nailed through the membrane into the rafters at the correct gauge for the tile or slate being used.
Tiles or slates are then laid from the eaves upward. At the eaves, a sprocket or eaves course sets the correct overhang into the gutter. On plain tile or natural slate roofs, every tile or slate is individually nailed. On interlocking concrete tile roofs, every tile at the perimeter (eaves, verge and ridge) is mechanically fixed, with field tiles clipped in exposed locations - this is a requirement of current fixing specifications and not optional.
Valleys (where two slopes meet) are typically lined with lead or a valley trough system. Flashings around chimneys and abutments are replaced in lead, stepped and soaked into the mortar joints properly. A roofer who simply beds flashing in mortar without soaking it will be back within a few years.
The ridge is the last line of defence at the top of the roof. Traditionally, ridge tiles are bedded in mortar over a sand and cement haunching. This is sound practice but mortar bedding does eventually fail - typically after 20 to 30 years - and can be blown off in strong winds. Dry-fix ridge systems, which use mechanical clips and a ventilated cap, are increasingly specified because they do not rely on mortar and allow the ridge to flex slightly with the structure.
Hip tiles on hipped roofs are bedded in the same way and carry the same considerations. Verges (the edges at gable ends) can be finished with mortar, with a dry-fix system, or by carrying the tiles over on a creasing tile - the right choice depends on the tile type and the look you want.
Lead flashings are dressed into place once the tiling is complete. New UPVC fascias and soffits (if being replaced) are fitted before the new guttering is hung. Guttering falls should be set so water runs to the downpipe without pooling - a common problem on older installations is guttering that has dropped at the bracket and holds standing water, accelerating corrosion.
Once the roof is complete and signed off, the scaffold comes down. Any tile or slate off-cuts, packaging and leftover mortar are cleared from the site. The surrounding ground should be checked for dropped nails - a magnetic roller run across a lawn or path is standard practice and protects people and tyres.
At this point, walk around the outside of the property yourself and look at the ridge line, the verges, the guttering alignment and the flashings before the roofer leaves site. It is much easier to raise a concern while everyone is still there than after the scaffold has gone.
A straight like-for-like re-roof does not normally require Building Regulations approval. Structural changes, changes to insulation above the rafters, or work on a listed building are different - seek advice before work begins.
We carry out roof replacements across Sheringham and throughout North Norfolk, including nearby towns and villages.
If your Sheringham roof needs a proper assessment, call North Walsham Roofers to arrange a survey. We will inspect the structure and the covering, explain what we find, and give you a clear account of what the replacement 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.
