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.
Our guide for a new flat roof in Scotland comes to £1,900–£4,300 with VAT added, and that range applies across Scottish Borders, including Hawick, Galashiels, Peebles and Kelso. Your own price depends on the size of the job, the specification and how easy it is to work on the site. We survey for free, check any consents needed under the rules in Scotland, and then put the price in writing.
- Guide price
- £1,900–£4,300 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 days for most roofs
- Planning rules
- Scotland
- Price level
- About 4% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 4
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Flat roofs prices in Scottish Borders
What will a new flat roof cost in Scottish Borders? Our guide range is £1,900–£4,300 including VAT. That figure is adjusted for Scotland, about 4% below the national guide, and is intended for planning a budget. A firm written price for your chosen specification follows a free survey at your home.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Scottish Borders |
|---|---|---|
| Small roof (up to 8m²) | A dormer, bay, porch or small garage roof re-covered in EPDM or GRP. | £750–£1,900 |
| Extension or garage (15–25m²) | A typical extension or single garage roof stripped and re-covered. | £1,900–£4,300 |
| Large or new warm roof | Larger roofs, or roofs needing a new deck and insulation build-up. | £3,800–£8,600 |
The main things that change the figure:
- Roof area and access to the roof
- Condition of the deck and joists underneath
- Insulation upgrades and changes to roof height at edges
- Number of rooflights, pipes and upstands to detail
What do you get?
- Survey of the covering, deck, falls, upstands and drainage
- Stripping and disposal of the old roof covering
- Replacement of rotten or soft deck boards
- New EPDM, GRP or torch-on felt membrane laid to falls
- Upstands, flashings and drip edges finished neatly
- Rooflights refitted or replaced where required
Homes in Scottish Borders
Mill towns such as Hawick, Galashiels and Selkirk have stone terraces and tenements from the textile industry, Melrose and Kelso have older sandstone centres, and farmhouses and cottages across the Borders are built of whinstone or sandstone under slate roofs. Post-war and newer estates surround the larger towns.
Mill-town terraces and tenements often need lime repointing, re-roofing in slate and replacement windows. Newer homes commonly take extensions and garage conversions, and rural properties add fencing, porches and driveways.
Cold winters with frost and snow on higher ground, and the Tweed and Teviot can flood low-lying properties.
Planning and building rules in Scottish Borders
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each handle planning a little differently. Scottish Borders comes under Scotland, covered below, and we raise any questions with the council before your quote is finalised.
In Scotland, like-for-like re-roofing does not usually need planning permission, except on listed buildings or in conservation areas.
Like-for-like re-covering does not usually need a building warrant, but structural changes or new roof windows can. 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.
How does the job run?
Free site survey
A free survey comes first. It gives us what we need to price a new flat roof properly, including dimensions, existing materials and access for deliveries, and gives you the chance to ask anything you like.
Quote in writing
You get the price in writing, itemised so you can see where the money goes. As long as the specification stays the same, that is the price you pay for a new flat roof.
Getting ready
Before anyone starts, we confirm the programme in writing, check whether consents are required and arrange deliveries. If a skip or scaffolding on the road needs a permit, we apply for it.
Finish and handover
Our trades complete a new flat roof while your point of contact keeps you updated. When everything is finished, we clear the site, take away waste and go through the result with you before handover.
How we work
Frequently asked questions
Is the price fixed?
Yes, for the specification we agree. Your written quote sets out exactly what is included at a fixed price. It only changes if you ask for something different, or if a problem the survey could not reasonably reveal later needs extra work. In either case we explain the change and confirm it in writing before going ahead.
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.
How long does a flat roof replacement take?
Replacing a typical extension or garage flat roof usually takes one to three days. Stripping and any deck repairs come first, then insulation where agreed, the new membrane and the trims and outlets. GRP needs dry weather and time to cure, and we plan around the forecast. Larger roofs or roofs with many rooflights take longer. We confirm timing with your quote.
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.
Do I need planning permission in Scottish Borders?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Scottish Borders is in Scotland, so Scotland's rules apply. Many smaller jobs need no planning application, but some still need building control approval. We check what applies to your address before quoting.
Towns in Scottish Borders
Looking for a new flat roof somewhere in Scottish Borders? Start with the towns below; each links to a page with pricing for your region and coverage details.