A flat roof replacement strips the old covering from a low-pitched roof and lays a new waterproof system, usually EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass or torch-on felt, over a sound deck with correct falls, upstands, trims and outlets so rainwater drains away.
Homeowners in Chatham usually consider a new flat roof for one of a few reasons: something has worn out, the house no longer suits the way they live, or they are getting it ready to sell. We visit, agree a specification and put a fixed price in writing. Most jobs like this take 1–3 days for most roofs, and we work across Kent, including Rochester, Gillingham and Strood.
- Guide price
- £2,200–£5,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 days for most roofs
- Postcodes
- ME1, ME2, ME4, ME5 and ME7
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Medway
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a new flat roof in Chatham?
Use the table to gauge the cost of a new flat roof in Chatham before we visit. Figures include VAT and are scaled for the South East, coming out about 12% above the national guide, which gives £2,200–£5,000 overall. After a free survey, you receive a fixed written price.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Chatham |
|---|---|---|
| Small roof (up to 8m²) | A dormer, bay, porch or small garage roof re-covered in EPDM or GRP. | £900–£2,200 |
| Extension or garage (15–25m²) | A typical extension or single garage roof stripped and re-covered. | £2,200–£5,000 |
| Large or new warm roof | Larger roofs, or roofs needing a new deck and insulation build-up. | £4,500–£10,000 |
The main things that change the figure:
- Roof area and access to the roof
- Covering system: EPDM, GRP or torch-on felt
- Condition of the deck and joists underneath
- Insulation upgrades and changes to roof height at edges
What do you get?
- Survey of the covering, deck, falls, upstands and drainage
- Replacement of rotten or soft deck boards
- Insulation upgrade to a warm roof build-up where agreed
- Upstands, flashings and drip edges finished neatly
- New trims, outlets and gutter connections
- Rooflights refitted or replaced where required
What are homes like around Chatham?
Kent's older buildings include oast houses, weatherboarded cottages, Wealden timber-framed houses and Kentish ragstone walls. Medway towns have long rows of Victorian terraces, Margate and Ramsgate have Regency and Victorian seafronts, and Ashford, Maidstone and Dartford have seen large new estates alongside interwar and post-war housing.
Victorian terraces suit loft rooms and rear extensions; weatherboarded and timber-framed buildings may need cladding repairs and lime work. Newer estate homes often take garage conversions, porches and landscaping.
With that background in mind, here is how we typically handle a new flat roof for homes in Chatham, from the first visit to the finished result.
Permissions for a new flat roof in Chatham
For anyone in Chatham, the relevant framework is England's. The summary below is general, so we always contact the council about your address before putting a price in writing.
Re-roofing a house with similar materials does not usually need planning permission in England. Listed buildings and conservation areas may need consent if the covering changes.
Replacing more than a quarter of a roof’s covering counts as renovation under Building Regulations, so the work is notified and the roof insulation may need upgrading. Bats are protected across the UK; if they roost under roof tiles, soffits or fascias, work stops and a licensed ecologist advises before it restarts.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
What happens after you get in touch?
Free site survey
We arrange a free site survey on a date convenient to you. We measure up, look at the existing structure and access, and discuss your plans for a new flat roof so the price reflects your home.
Written quote
After the survey we send a quote for a new flat roof that fixes the price for the scope we've agreed. If you want to change materials or scope, we revise it in writing before anything is booked.
Booking the work
Once you accept, we agree start dates, order materials and deal with any planning, building control or neighbour notices the job needs. You'll know who is coming and when before work begins.
The work itself
During the work we protect the areas around it and tidy up at the end of each day. Once complete, we check the finish, remove our materials and hand over paperwork such as building control sign-off where it applies.
How we work
Flat roofs in Chatham: questions
Should I insulate my flat roof when it is replaced?
Replacing a flat roof is the most cost-effective time to add insulation, because the covering is already off. A warm roof, with insulation laid above the deck, keeps the structure warm and reduces condensation risk. Building regulations may require insulation when a large part of the roof is renewed. It raises the roof height slightly, which affects trims and upstands.
Who do I deal with during the job?
One point of contact manages your project from survey to handover. They schedule the trades working under our contract, keep you updated on progress, and are the person to call with any question. You don't need to coordinate builders, electricians or decorators separately, because that is part of what we do.
Why does water sit on my flat roof?
Ponding water on a flat roof is usually caused by inadequate falls, sagging joists, a deck that has dipped or blocked outlets. Small puddles that dry within a day or two are not always a problem, but standing water speeds up wear and finds any weakness. A new roof can be laid on firring strips or tapered insulation to create proper falls. We check falls during the survey.
Which is better, EPDM rubber or GRP fibreglass?
EPDM rubber and GRP fibreglass are both reliable modern flat roof systems. EPDM is a single flexible sheet with very few joints, which copes well with movement and suits most extensions and garages. GRP is a hard, seamless finish that copes better with foot traffic and complex shapes, but needs dry weather to apply. Felt costs less but usually lasts less long. We recommend a system after seeing your roof.
Can you combine a new flat roof with other work?
Yes. Because we manage several trades under one contract, we can plan a new flat roof alongside other work on your Chatham home, such as new windows with rendering, or a kitchen refit with an extension. Combining jobs can reduce repeat set-up such as scaffolding, skips and access, and every element is listed and priced in the same written quote.
Near Chatham
Coverage for Chatham spans ME1, ME2, ME4 and ME5. Close by, Rochester, Gillingham and Strood are covered too, and the rest of our UK-wide area follows the same survey-then-quote process from start to finish.