Costs & Guides

In this full guide, learn how much it costs to replace a flat roof. We discuss the many varieties of flat roofs and their pricing, as well as labour rates and material costs. Take a peek at what’s underneath…

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Flat Roof?

Surprisingly, most flat roofs have a slight incline to allow rainfall to drain into gutters; hence, most flat roofs aren’t actually flat!

Do you want to know how much replacing or repairing your flat roof will cost?

This article looks at the expenses of different roof replacements, including materials, labour, and other expenditures, as well as how long it takes to replace a flat roof, the benefits, and how much it costs to remove a flat roof.

Everyone can easily calculate the cost of a roof replacement because of this.

Everything you need to know may be found here if you wish to learn more. So, how much does it cost to replace a flat roof?

On average, a flat roof costs between £1,000 and £5,000 to install. This looks to be a wide range, but it is owing to all of the factors that affect the cost of a flat roof replacement.

The price of a flat roof, for example, can vary based on the design of flat roof you select.

Other factors to consider are the size of the house, the laborer’s expertise, and the ease of access to the roof. All of this is on top of other considerations such as scaffolding.

Another consideration is the roofing material. The four most common materials used in flat roof construction are felt, rubber, fibreglass, and lead.

You should expect to pay between £40 and £70 per square metre for a felt roof, for example.

The most common type of flat roof that requires replacement or repair is a garage roof.

Expect to pay between £700 and £1000 for a single flat garage roof replacement, with a double garage roof costing around 50% more.

The most important aspect that influences the price of a new flat roof is the material chosen to construct it. Felt roofs are less expensive than lead or fibreglass roofs, for example.

Continue reading to learn about other factors that can influence the final price and how you can save money.

Flat Roof Prices

The costs of replacing a flat roof are broken down in the table below:

Job	Cost
Flat roof	£1,500 – £4,500
Porch	£300 – £600
Double garage	£1,200 – £2,000
Extension rood	£500 – £3,000
Dormer	£700 – £1,500

There are various factors to consider when evaluating the cost of flat roof covers and replacement.

What flat roofing method and materials you choose, how accessible the roof is, and the area size of the flat roof in square metres are all things to think about.

The location of your project, as certain areas of the UK, such as the Southeast vs the North East, are more expensive than others.

Roofing companies charge different prices, thus it may be determined by the company’s fees as well as the costs of removing an old flat roof and other debris (usually handled by a contractor).

To avoid costly repairs or a complete replacement, you should try to maintain your roof as much as possible. This means evaluating your roof at least twice a year, especially during periods of extreme weather that could cause roof damage.

Check inside for any potential leaks in your ceiling, as this could signify the beginning of damage.

What are the Supply Costs of a Flat Roof Replacement?

Because labour makes up such a major part of any flat roof budget, it’s also a good idea to get a sense of how much the job will cost without additional labour costs. When the labourers give you a quote, you’ll get an idea of how much they charge.

So, how much does a flat roof cost per square metre in the United Kingdom? In most circumstances, this is determined by the substance.

If you want to do it yourself, all you have to do is calculate the cost of the materials. You can save a lot of money by doing it yourself, especially if you’re replacing the roof on a two-story addition, where you’ll save around £300.

The following is the cost of replacing a flat roof per square metre:

Felt costs between £2 and £10 per m2, rubber between £9 and £12 per m2, and fibreglass between £2 and £3 per m2.

Lead will set you back £2 – £4 per kg, while fibreglass insulation will set you back £6 – £10 per m2, PIR insulation boards will set you back £5 – £15 per m2, and spray foam insulation will set you back £5 – £12 each spray can.

As a result, the size of your flat roof will have a considerable impact on your total expenses, as larger roofs require more materials. The costs of a replacement flat roof are broken down in the table below:

Supply	Cost
Felt	£2 – £10 per m2
Rubber	£9 – £12 per m2
Fibreglass	£2 – £3 per m2
Lead	£2 – £4 per kg
Fibreglass insulation	£6 – £10 per m2
PIR insulation boards	£5 – £15 per m2
Spray foam insulation	£5 – £13 per spray can

What are the Additional Costs of Replacing a Flat Roof?

There are several elements to consider when evaluating the cost of a flat roof replacement or repair. As a result, we’ll go over the additional costs of replacing a flat roof here so you’ll be prepared.

Conservatory Roof

A small lean-to conservatory roof replacement will set you back £2,300-£3,000, a medium lean-to conservatory roof replacement will set you back £3,100-£4,000, and a large lean-to conservatory roof replacement will set you back £3,400-£5,000.

A small Victorian conservatory will set you back £3,300 to £4,500, a medium Victorian conservatory will set you back £5,100 to £7,000, and a large Victorian conservatory would set you back £6,900 to £10,000.

Labor for a conservatory roof replacement would cost between £300 and £600 a day. Given that replacing a small conservatory roof will most likely take a day, the cost of a replacement may be approximately this amount. A modest conservatory roof replacement costs between £600 and £1,200, whereas a large conservatory roof replacement costs between £900 and £1,800.

Scaffolding Hire

Scaffold tower construction costs between £200 and £300. Scaffolding a chimney costs £450-£550, £800-£1,000 for scaffolding on three sides of a semi-detached house, or £600-£700 for scaffolding on three sides of a detached cottage.

Scaffolding for a conservatory bridge would cost between £450 and £550.

The cost of hiring scaffolding is determined by the type and size of scaffolding, the number of tradespeople involved, the ease of access, and the location of your property.

In terms of labour, erecting a scaffolding tower to repair lower hip tiles would cost between £230 and £270. Scaffolding for a conservatory bridge would cost around £430-£470 in labour rates, while scaffolding for roofing at the front of a house would cost around £400-£450.

Renting scaffolding has the apparent advantage of being far less expensive than acquiring it all at once for any specific job. Purchasing it for the sake of keeping it will normally cost several thousand pounds.

However, if you intend to utilise the scaffolding on a regular basis, you will save money in the long run.

Scaffolding kits are popular because they are both economical and useful. They are also relatively simple to assemble and operate by a single person.

They aren’t as versatile as scaffolds created by professionals, and since a flat roof job requires a robust scaffold that can be utilised in a variety of ways, a professionally built scaffold may be your best alternative.

Soffits and Fascias

It’s a good idea to replace the fascia boards as well when replacing a flat roof because they’ll have to be removed anyhow, so you’re already paying for half the project.

The cost of replacing fascia and soffit varies depending on the size of your property, but it typically ranges from £1,000 to £4,600.

A semi-detached house is projected to cost between £400 and £520 to build.

Labor/installation costs for a small detached house go from £600 to £720, £800 to £880 for a medium detached house, and £930 to £1,040 for a large detached house.

A garage should cost between £160 and £230 in labour, a modest porch between £50 and £70, and a large porch between £80 and £100.

The time it takes to replace soffits and fascias is determined by a number of factors, including the size of the property, the design of the house, the convenience of access to the soffits and fascias, and the sort of soffits and fascias you desire.

Soffits and fascias are likely to cost between £20 and £26 per hour to remove, with a two-hour minimum flat rate.

The costs of removal could range from £50 to £200. Old soffits and fascias can be disposed of in a skip or by hiring a’man and van’ service like Hippo Wastes.

Skip Hire

Flat roof repairs can get pretty messy depending on the situation. This is because waste disposal may be a major concern.

Most organisations, thankfully, deal with waste and factor it into their estimates, so you won’t have to. However, if you do the work yourself, you might have to pay for rubbish removal.

A 2-yard skip will typically cost between £70 and £100, while a 4-yard skip will cost between £100 and £160, and a 6-yard skip will cost between £120 and £190.

A 8-yard dumpster will cost between £150 and £370, a 10-yard skip would cost between £180 and £410, and a 12-yard skip will cost between £220 and £450.

The price is affected by the number of tradespeople involved in transporting and collecting the rubbish, the convenience of access to your home, and your location.

Because skip hire costs vary across the country, the cost of getting a skip will depend on where you live.

Location

The cost of this project will be influenced by a number of factors, including the size and kind of conservatory roof, location, the number of craftsmen hired, materials, ease of access, and the property’s location.

This is significant in terms of where you live because labour costs differ across the country.

On the one hand, labour expenses in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England are frequently lower than the national average. However, costs are higher in the Southeast (London in particular).

Duration

The labour cost will almost probably be influenced by the length of the task. Most contractors charge by the day or by the hour.

The length of the project, on the other hand, is unlikely to affect the cost. For example, a contractor or organisation may have a set charge regardless of how long the project takes.

On average, a conservatory roof replacement takes two full working days.

Size

It goes without saying that the bigger the roof, the more expensive it is.

This would be significant not only in terms of material costs, as a larger roof will simply cost more, but also in terms of labour costs, as a larger installation will most likely take longer, increasing the total trades costs.

Greater trash removal expenditures would arise from a larger flat roof replacement.

Condition of Current Roof

The current roof’s state is also significant since a roof in poor condition may take longer to remove; for example, a tradesperson may take longer to remove a roof in poor condition due to safety concerns.

Number of Tradesmen

The more tradespeople you hire, the higher the hourly or daily labour rate (as appropriate). The work may take less time if there are more labourers on site.

Tradesmen Costs for a Flat Roof Replacement

Having a tradesperson assist you with your project is always a good idea. For a flat roof replacement to last and be properly installed, it must be done correctly.

We’ll go over the labour costs for a flat roof replacement here so you know how much you’ll have to pay for installation.

The cost of installing a new flat roof is split between materials and labour, as previously stated.

As a result, if you’re hiring pros, you’ll need to choose a reliable roofer with necessary experience. They usually charge between £25 and £50 per hour.

Most flat roof replacement contractors will include their fees in the final cost. So, read the quote carefully to ensure you’re not being overcharged. Labor costs for a flat roof replacement should be between £200 and £500.

However, depending on the circumstances, the job’s cost and completion time may vary. The type of material chosen, for example, may have an impact on the time it takes to finish the job because some materials are easier to work with than others.

Also important is accessibility. The job will take longer if the employees do not have an easy approach to the roof. A scaffold may be necessary as a result. This not only ensures the safety of the worker, but it also saves time.

The price will be determined by the type of job and the experience of the tradesman.

To ensure that you’re hiring a reliable roofing contractor, make sure they have at least 5 years of experience and are covered by public liability insurance, which will protect both them and you in the event of an accident.

Check to discover whether they have a roof slating and tiling certificate. However, this is not a legal need for becoming a skilled roofer.

To guarantee that water on the roof drains efficiently and does not pool, all flat roofs should be inspected twice a year, in the spring and winter, particularly shortly after a shower or snowfall.

Note that you must take adequate safety precautions before undertaking any flat roof inspection; do not step onto the roof unless you are absolutely convinced of its condition; if you must, use a sheet of plywood to distribute your weight evenly across a vast surface area.

How Long Does It Take to Replace a Flat Roof?

It’s crucial to know how long it will take to replace a flat roof because you may have to take time from work. We’ll go through how long it takes to replace a flat roof here.

Roof replacement might take as little as one day or as long as three weeks. The average roofing replacement for a single-family home takes roughly 2-3 days.

Several factors influence the length of time it takes to replace a roof. The kind and condition of the current roof, the new roofing, materials, and the size of the house are all factors to consider.

Flat EPDM roofing utilises fewer materials than sloping EPDM roofing. Installing them takes less time than heavy tiles or wood shakes. Because flat roofs hold more water than pitched roofs, proper drainage is essential.

It’s also worth noting that a new flat roof can take up to two days to install. In addition, most roofers require an extra pair of hands in order to finish their work efficiently.

As a result, you’ll almost probably need to hire two workers to complete the project. A roof replacement will take much longer, with the removal and replacement of a single garage roof requiring an average of 7 to 8 hours.

Flat roofs with distinctive shapes or that require extensive cutting around roof windows or pipelines, as well as flat roofs on the second or third floors that require scaffolding or access towers, will take longer.

Benefits of Replacing a Flat Roof

Flat roofs are one of the most divisive roof types for buildings and residences. The most usual areas to find them are outbuildings and large structures. Flat roofs have their own set of problems and demands.

It is vital to understand the benefits of flat roofs and what you will gain by changing a flat roof if you are intending to install one on a home or construction.

Cost

Construction and installation are both quite affordable, as are the materials commonly used for flat roofs. The insulating board for flat roofs costs roughly 80 cents per square foot.

It makes flat roof installation, as well as maintenance and upkeep, quite inexpensive. Labor is less expensive when constructing a flat roof because there is less danger involved.

Flat roofs are easier to install and take less time. There are less damages and repair costs during the roof’s lifetime. Solar panels, which save energy, and satellites, which make gutter repairs and cleaning less expensive and easier, can benefit flat rooftops.

More Usage Space

A flat rooftop might give you with more living space. If you have the required structural approval, you can simply set up a table and chairs as a modest outside setting for your home.

Why not give extra details if you actually want to make the most of that space? Make a rooftop garden or line the edge with herbs.

Easy Access

Solar panels or even air conditioning systems can be installed on a flat roof. Looting will be discouraged because they will be difficult to see from the ground. If you need to perform any repairs, getting access to the units will be simple.

Economical

A flat roof is typically less expensive per square foot to build than a pitched roof. When you consider that you have fewer square feet when building a flat, you can save a lot of money. Furthermore, a flat roof has lower long-term maintenance expenditures.

Better Rooms

Upstairs rooms are easier to build since they are supported by a flat roof rather than a pitched roof that cuts into the space.

Traditional roofs have slanted upper walls, or at least a piece of the ceiling, which limits the amount of living space accessible. Flat roofs allow for the construction of standard-shaped rooms at the top.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Although your home will look great no matter what, many people prefer a level roof. In the modern home, nothing says future like a gorgeous flat table.

You’ll also find that flat roofs have a number of safety advantages. It’s easier to clean the gutters (and install them, for that matter), and you’ll have to clear the snow if it snows – but it’s a lot easier than scrambling up on a chilly, slick pitched roof.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Flat Roof?

If you wish to have your flat roof removed, you should usually find out how much it would cost before proceeding. We’ll go over the costs of removing a flat roof here.

This cost would cover removing old roof felt, inspecting existing timber, supplying and installing underlay, supplying and installing cap sheet, supplying and installing any edgings, and removing any waste materials from the job site.

A flat roof in a habitable portion of the structure would require more insulation, and the presence of asbestos in the current roof, as well as access or height concerns necessitating scaffolding, would greatly raise costs.

If you want to change your roof, you’ll need to have your flat roof removed. You may not have a choice if your roof is constantly leaking or has rotten wood decking, necessitating roof removal.

Professional removal costs on average £80 per square metre, though this might vary depending on the type of material used, as certain materials are more difficult to remove than others.

You should also consider rubbish removal costs, which can run from £100 to £1,000 if you hire a professional. Expect to pay between £200 and £1000 for a skip rental.

FAQs

Q: Is it possible to replace a flat roof yourself?
A: Your flat roof will undergo a lot of wear and tear over time. Fortunately, these are the simplest roofs to replace in terms of labour. After removing the old roof, EPDM rubber can be utilised to swiftly and easily construct a new one.

Repairing the roof rather than replacing it may be the best option if the damage is restricted to a small region. If you are unable to repair the roof material, it may be more cost-effective to employ a contractor to replace the roof rather than paying them for minor, temporary repairs.

Q: When does your flat roof need replacing?
A: A hole, split, or blister in your roof material or flashing, both of which are prone to rips, could be the cause of water flowing from your ceiling. You may be able to notice this on some materials, such as rubber or felt, but it may be fainter on others, such as lead.

Another common issue is water pooling, which causes a build-up of water that might lead to a leak. To avoid more damage, you should address the issue as soon as feasible.

Q: What is the best flat roof material?
A: EPDM is a relatively low-cost flat roof material with a number of significant benefits. It is most likely the best flat roofing membrane available. EPDM membranes are difficult to beat for their clean, simple installation, exceptional strength, extended lifespan, and appealing finish.

Q: How long does a flat roof last?
A: Most traditional flat roofs are made of mineral felt or asphalt and have a ten to fifteen-year lifespan. They have a bad reputation because to their penchant for leaking and being damaged by standing water.

Q: Can you put a new flat roof on top of an old one?
A: No! This can lead to a host of problems that will definitely surface soon after the builder has disappeared with your money!

The timbers beneath the old felt must be inspected or replaced, therefore removing them is a crucial part of the job. Due to movement, UV radiation from the sun, and a damaged existing roof, the roof will break and leak in a year or less.