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 Eastbourne, we start by looking at how a new roof would fit it rather than offering a standard package. We cover BN20, BN21 and BN23 and neighbouring places such as Hailsham, Seaford and Bexhill-on-Sea. 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
- £7,800–£17,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–2 weeks on site, plus scaffolding time
- Postcodes
- BN20, BN21 and BN23
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- East Sussex
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new roof cost in Eastbourne?
Every figure below is a guide for a new roof in Eastbourne, inclusive of VAT. Regional pricing for the South East works out about 12% above the national guide, and the overall span is £7,800–£17,000. The survey costs you nothing, and after it we commit to a firm price for your specification in writing.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Eastbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced house or bungalow | A smaller pitched roof re-covered in concrete or clay tiles, including scaffolding. | £5,600–£11,000 |
| Typical semi-detached | A 3-bed semi re-roofed in concrete or clay tiles with new membrane, battens and leadwork. | £7,800–£17,000 |
| Detached or natural slate | Larger or more complex roofs, or any roof finished in natural slate. | £13,500–£28,000 |
The main things that change the figure:
- 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
What do you get?
- Survey of the covering, timbers, chimneys and loft ventilation
- Stripping old tiles or slates, battens and felt in stages
- Repairs or replacement of damaged rafters and fascia boards
- Breathable membrane and new treated battens
- New tiles or slates, or sound originals refitted where suitable
- Ridges, hips and verges dry-fixed or bedded, with new leadwork
What are homes like around Eastbourne?
Brighton and Hove are known for Regency stucco terraces and bow-fronted houses, alongside Victorian terraces climbing the hills. Lewes and Brighton have mathematical tiles and flint walls, Eastbourne has large Victorian and Edwardian villas, and Wealden villages use tile-hanging, weatherboarding and timber frames. Interwar suburbs and newer estates fill out most towns.
Regency and Victorian houses often need sash-style windows, stucco or render repair and careful decorating. Hillside terraces suit loft conversions, and flint or brick walls commonly need repointing in lime mortar.
With that background in mind, here is how we typically handle a new roof for homes in Eastbourne, from the first visit to the finished result.
Planning and building rules in Eastbourne
The notes below cover England, which is where Eastbourne sits. Rules change and every property is different, so we speak to the council before pricing your job.
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?
Survey and measure
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 roof so the price reflects your home.
Quote in writing
We turn the survey notes into a written quote. The price is fixed for the specification we agree, and the document sets out materials, scope and payment stages in plain language.
Booking the work
Preparation matters as much as the build. We agree access, parking and working hours with you, order materials in good time, and confirm any permissions so the job isn't held up once it starts.
The work itself
Our trades complete a new 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.
What you can expect from us
Frequently asked questions
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 I stay at home during the work?
In most cases, yes. Most people can live at home throughout, and we plan the work to keep disruption down by protecting floors, agreeing working hours and keeping access routes clear. Bigger jobs affecting kitchens, bathrooms or heating may mean a short spell with reduced facilities, and we talk this through with you at the survey.
How much does a new roof cost?
Re-roofing a typical 3-bed semi costs £7,800–£17,000, 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.
Do I need planning permission in Eastbourne?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Eastbourne is in England, so England'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.
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.
Also covering areas around Eastbourne
Live in Eastbourne? Our coverage takes in the BN20, BN21 and BN23 postcode areas and reaches out to Hailsham, Seaford and Bexhill-on-Sea, so homes on the outskirts and in the next town along are included.

