A roof replacement, or re-roof, strips the old tiles or slates, battens and felt from a pitched roof and replaces them with a new breathable membrane, battens and covering, repairing timbers and renewing ridges, valleys and flashings at the same time.
Whatever type of house you own in Isle of Bute, we start by looking at how a new roof would fit it rather than offering a standard package. We cover PA20 and neighbouring places such as Dunoon, Greenock and Helensburgh. One named person looks after you from survey to handover, and nothing is booked until you hold our figure in writing, fixed for the work described.
- Guide price
- £6,700–£14,500 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–2 weeks on site, plus scaffolding time
- Postcodes
- PA20
- Planning rules
- Scotland
- Local area
- Argyll and Bute
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new roof cost in Isle of Bute?
Prices for a new roof vary from house to house, but in Isle of Bute most projects fall within £6,700–£14,500 including VAT. That reflects costs in Scotland, about 4% below the national guide. Treat the table as a budgeting aid; the written figure follows a survey we carry out for free.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Isle of Bute |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced house or bungalow | A smaller pitched roof re-covered in concrete or clay tiles, including scaffolding. | £4,800–£9,600 |
| Typical semi-detached | A 3-bed semi re-roofed in concrete or clay tiles with new membrane, battens and leadwork. | £6,700–£14,500 |
| Detached or natural slate | Larger or more complex roofs, or any roof finished in natural slate. | £11,500–£24,000 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- Roof area, pitch and the number of hips, valleys and dormers
- Condition of rafters, fascias and other timbers
- Chimneys, leadwork and roof windows to rework
- Scaffolding, access and the height of the house
What does the job include in Isle of Bute?
- Survey of the covering, timbers, chimneys and loft ventilation
- Scaffolding with edge protection, erected and removed
- Stripping old tiles or slates, battens and felt in stages
- Breathable membrane and new treated battens
- Ridges, hips and verges dry-fixed or bedded, with new leadwork
- Waste removal by skip and a clean site on completion
What are homes like around Isle of Bute?
Much of Argyll and Bute is rural and coastal, with whitewashed or harled stone cottages, slate roofs and island homes. Helensburgh has Victorian villas, Oban, Dunoon and Rothesay have Victorian seaside terraces, and post-war and newer housing surrounds the main towns.
One of the wettest and windiest parts of the UK, with high exposure on the coast and islands, so roof and render details must suit severe weather.
Knowing the typical building types in Argyll and Bute helps, but a survey of your own home in Isle of Bute is what decides the right approach to a new roof.
Permissions for a new roof in Isle of Bute
The notes below cover Scotland, which is where Isle of Bute sits. Rules change and every property is different, so we speak to the council before pricing your job.
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.
The four stages
Survey and measure
It starts with a survey at the property, free of charge. We check condition, access and services, ask how you want the finished result to look, and answer any questions you have about a new roof.
Price and scope agreed
We put everything into a written, fixed-price quote: the specification, what's excluded, staged payments and the expected time on site. Take whatever time you need to decide; there's no pressure to commit.
Plan and prepare
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.
The work itself
On site, the agreed plan is followed and any change is put in writing first. At completion we do a final clean, go through the snagging list with you and leave you with the relevant documents.
Working with SK Home Improvements
Roof replacement in Isle of Bute: questions
How much does a new roof cost?
Re-roofing a typical 3-bed semi costs £6,700–£14,500, including scaffolding, new membrane and battens. As a guide, allow roughly £70–£160 per square metre of roof plus fixed costs for scaffolding and waste. Concrete tiles sit at the lower end and natural slate at the top. Hips, valleys, chimneys and timber repairs add to the price. We confirm a fixed figure after inspecting the roof and loft.
Will my loft insulation and ventilation be improved?
Re-roofing is a good time to improve loft ventilation and insulation. A breathable membrane and eaves or ridge vents keep air moving and reduce condensation in the loft. Building regulations may require insulation upgrades when a large part of the roof is renewed. We check your current insulation and ventilation and include any required improvements in the quote.
Can you combine a new roof with other work?
Yes. Because we manage several trades under one contract, we can plan a new roof alongside other work on your Isle of Bute 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.
How long does a roof replacement take?
Re-roofing a typical semi-detached house takes around one to two weeks once scaffolding is up, depending on the roof's size, complexity and the weather. Smaller terraced roofs can take a few days. Scaffolding usually goes up a day or two before work starts and comes down once everything is inspected. We give you a programme and keep the roof weathertight overnight.
Do I need planning permission in Isle of Bute?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Isle of Bute 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.
Nearby towns
We cover every part of Isle of Bute, including PA20, and nearby Dunoon, Greenock and Helensburgh. Wherever you are within that patch, the survey is free and the quote comes to you in writing.