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.
Homes across Bristol vary a great deal, so we price a new roof only after seeing the property. Our coverage takes in Bishopsworth and the surrounding districts. As a guide, expect £7,100–£15,500 including VAT in the South West; the final figure depends on size, materials and access. Any permissions are checked against the rules for England before we quote.
- Guide price
- £7,100–£15,500 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–2 weeks on site, plus scaffolding time
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 2% above the national guide
- Towns listed
- 1
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Roof replacement prices in Bristol
Prices for a new roof vary from house to house, but in Bristol most projects fall within £7,100–£15,500 including VAT. That reflects costs in the South West, about 2% above 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 Bristol |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced house or bungalow | A smaller pitched roof re-covered in concrete or clay tiles, including scaffolding. | £5,100–£10,000 |
| Typical semi-detached | A 3-bed semi re-roofed in concrete or clay tiles with new membrane, battens and leadwork. | £7,100–£15,500 |
| Detached or natural slate | Larger or more complex roofs, or any roof finished in natural slate. | £12,000–£25,500 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- Roof area, pitch and the number of hips, valleys and dormers
- Covering material: concrete tile, clay tile or natural slate
- Chimneys, leadwork and roof windows to rework
- Scaffolding, access and the height of the house
Scope of the work
- 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
- Repairs or replacement of damaged rafters and fascia boards
- New tiles or slates, or sound originals refitted where suitable
- Waste removal by skip and a clean site on completion
Housing across Bristol
Bristol has a strong mix: Georgian terraces and villas in Clifton and Kingsdown, rows of Victorian and Edwardian terraces across Bishopston, Totterdown and Easton, and interwar council estates on the edges. Grey-brown Pennant sandstone is a common walling stone, often with Bath stone dressings, alongside brick, render and newer apartments near the harbour.
Terraced streets often suit loft rooms and side-return extensions, plus stone repointing in lime mortar. Hillside houses can need retaining work for patios and driveways, while interwar homes commonly take rear extensions and new windows.
Exposed, west-facing slopes can catch heavy driving rain, so render, pointing and window seals on those elevations take more weather than sheltered ones.
Do you need permission in Bristol?
For anyone in Bristol, 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.
How does the job run?
Free site survey
A free survey comes first. It gives us what we need to price a new roof properly, including dimensions, existing materials and access for deliveries, and gives you the chance to ask anything you like.
Your fixed price
After the survey we send a quote for a new 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.
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.
Finish and handover
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
Frequently asked questions
How long will a new roof last?
A well-installed roof lasts for decades. Concrete tiles typically last around 50 years or more, clay tiles longer, and natural slate can last a century with proper upkeep. Lifespan depends on the quality of materials, fixings, ventilation and leadwork, and on how exposed the roof is. Keeping gutters clear and fixing slipped tiles quickly helps it reach its full life.
How do I know if I need a new roof or just repairs?
A roof needs replacing when problems are widespread, not isolated. Signs include many slipped, cracked or porous tiles, sagging between rafters, daylight or damp in the loft, perished felt that crumbles to the touch and repeated leaks in different places. A few slipped tiles or a loose ridge can usually be repaired. We inspect from outside and inside the loft and tell you honestly which is needed.
How long will a new roof take?
On a typical home, allow 1–2 weeks on site, plus scaffolding time. Larger projects, older buildings and extra work found once things are opened up can extend that, while simpler jobs may be shorter. Your quote includes an estimate of time on site, and your point of contact keeps you updated on the programme as the work progresses.
What happens at the survey?
We visit your home at a time that suits you, look at the area involved, take measurements and check access, condition and any services that might be affected. We talk through what you want from a new roof, explain the options and answer questions. There is no charge and no obligation; afterwards we send a written quote.
What happens if it rains during the work?
We strip the roof in sections and only remove as much covering as we can replace or protect the same day. New breathable membrane goes on straight after stripping, which keeps most rain out, and we sheet exposed areas at the end of each day and before forecast showers. If heavy rain or high winds are forecast, we pause work. The house is never left open.
Towns in Bristol
Below is our list of Bristol towns for a new roof. If yours isn't shown, we may still cover it, so it is worth asking us directly.