How Much Does Roof Repair Cost?

The roof repair costs in this article are correct as of 2022

The old saying is that you should fix the roof when the sun is shining, but whatever the weather is doing, if you need to repair your roof, the time to do it is now.

Missing tiles or damaged flashing can allow water into your roof space, causing lasting damage and long term problems.

The average roof repair cost in the UK varies depending on the issue, so we’ve broken down roof repair costs into common categories, so you can get a good idea of what a roof repair price will typically be.

Common roof repairs

Our roofs deal with a lot - strong winds, driving rains, falling trees and growing moss - so it’s no surprise that they can need a variety of repairs when things go wrong.

Missing tiles or shingles: High winds can cause individual tiles to come loose. Whether they’ve just shifted slightly, leaving a gap, or come off entirely, it can allow water to penetrate through the roof and into your loft and attic, causing damage.

Loose flashing: The lead flashing at the end of our roofs, which seals the edge where chimneys and dormer windows meet the roof, keeps water out, but if it has blown loose or been damaged it can fail and let water come in.

Sagging roof: If the entire structure of the roof is weakened, either because the roof timbers cannot support the weight of the tiles or there is an underlying structural issue with the home, then the entire roof can have to be replaced.

Tile replacement costs

In the simplest instances, you might have a missing or damaged roof tile which is letting in water. If this is the case, it can cost around £200 for a roofer to replace a handful of cement, clay or slate tiles, and can be done relatively quickly, typically in a few hours. Fixing a tiled roof will help fend off any leaks that result from slipped roof tiles. The cost of replacing roof felt under tiles will be included in the overall tiled roof roof repair costs.

Flat roof repairs

When it comes to flat roof repair options, simple patch repairs for flat roofs such as those on garages or extensions can cost a few hundred pounds. However, given the nature of flat roof repair costs, it can sometimes make sense to replace the entire roof. Basic felt solutions cost around £50 per square metre for the material itself, and more high-end materials such as modern GRP (a form of fibreglass) going up to £90 per square metre. Labour costs may then cost around £150 to £250 per day per worker. Generally, we would expect a flat roof replacement for a typical garage to cost from £1,000 upwards.

Flashing repair costs

Lead flashing on your roof helps protect the edge of your roof, where tiles meet brickwork such as your chimney or any skylights. If this becomes damaged for any reason, it can cause similar problems to missing tiles, allowing rain into your property. Fixing damaged flashing should cost a similar amount to missing tiles - roof flashing repair costs to replace a metre or so of flashing will cost between £100 and £250.

Leak repair costs

Leaks are typically either the result of missing tiles, or damaged flashing, so the pricing of these fixes will depend on the nature of the leak.

Sagging roof repairs costs

Some homes can develop a sag, where the ridge bows in the middle below the height at the gable ends. This can happen for different reasons, for example, if the roof tiles were replaced at some point with a heavier alternative which has slowly weighed down the timber frame supporting the roof. Sagging roof repair costs can vary - if extra weight is the problem, additional joists or rafters can be added to shore up the additional weight, which can cost between £1,000 and £2,000 depending on how many are needed. Sometimes, a roof can sag because it has become waterlogged and the internal structure is irreparably damaged. If this is the case, the entire roof will need to be replaced, which can cost anywhere from £5,000 to £12,000 depending on the size of the property.

Labour costs

Roofers generally charge in accordance with the type of job they’re doing, rather than the time it will take - if it’s a simple repair, replacing elements like flashing, or constructing a completely new roof. For more details on roofer costs, take a look at our dedicated roofing price page.

What makes a roof repair more expensive?

If the damage to your roof is particularly widespread, for example if a tree has landed on your roof and a large section needs to be replaced, the job will be a lot more expensive than if it’s just replacing a few tiles. Especially if a roofer needs to erect scaffolding to allow proper access, the repair costs can stretch to several thousand pounds.

If the roof project will take a few days, then a temporary cover can be errected to cover the property so the roofers can work on the roof without having to worry about the weather. This will be an additional cost on top of the scaffolding.

Complex roofs, with different levels, or multiple features like chimney stacks and dormer windows, can add more complexity to a project, adding time and money. For more information on chimney costs, take a look at our guide on chimney repair pricing.