For most Leicester homes, a full re-roof costs somewhere between a few thousand pounds and well into five figures, depending on the size of the house, the covering and the condition of the timbers. The figures below are rough guides based on widely quoted UK market ranges. They are not quotes from Leicester Roofing Pros, and your own price will depend on your roof.
What is a rough price for a new roof in the UK?
Prices vary by region and by season, and they have moved a lot in recent times because materials and labour have both become dearer. As a very broad guide for a full strip and re-cover with concrete tiles:
- A two-bedroom terrace: roughly £4,500 to £8,000.
- A three-bedroom semi-detached house: roughly £6,000 to £11,000.
- A four-bedroom detached house: roughly £9,000 to £18,000 or more.
Natural slate, clay tile and complex roofs with dormers, valleys and several chimneys sit above these ranges. Treat the numbers as a starting point for your budget, not a price you should expect.
What makes one Leicester roof cost more than another?
Two roofs that look the same from the road can differ by thousands of pounds. These are the main reasons.
Size and shape
Every extra square metre needs more materials and more time. A plain gable roof is quicker than one with hips, valleys and dormers, because every junction needs careful flashing and cutting.
The covering you choose
Concrete tiles are usually the most affordable. Clay tiles cost more. Natural slate costs more again, and artificial slate sits between the two. In some Leicester conservation areas or streets of older terraces, you may need or prefer to match the existing material, which can limit your choices.
Access and scaffold
Scaffold is a real cost on a re-roof, often in the region of several hundred pounds to over a thousand for a house. Tight terraced streets, shared passages and parked cars can add time and complexity.
Timber and structural repairs
Older roofs sometimes hide rotten battens, damaged rafters or woodworm. You cannot always see this until the old covering is off. A fair quote explains how extra timber work will be priced if it turns up.
What else is usually in the quote?
A new roof is more than tiles. Check whether the quote covers each of these items, or whether they are extras:
- Stripping and disposing of the old covering.
- A new breathable membrane and treated battens.
- Ridge, hip and verge fittings.
- Lead flashings around chimneys, walls and valleys.
- Fascias, soffits and guttering, which are often replaced at the same time because the scaffold is already up.
- Chimney repointing, new pots or removal of a redundant stack.
This is where cheap quotes often hide gaps. A low total that leaves out flashings or waste removal may end up costing more than a fuller quote.
What about flat roofs and extensions?
Many Leicester homes have a flat-roofed extension, garage or porch. Replacement costs for these depend mainly on area and covering. Very roughly, a small flat roof in GRP or EPDM often lands in the low thousands of pounds, with larger or more complicated roofs costing more. Felt is generally cheaper to lay but tends to have a shorter life.
If your flat roof is leaking, a repair may be enough. We explain the difference on our roof repair page, and the questions to ask before you spend more.
Do I need planning permission or building regulations?
Replacing a roof like for like normally does not need planning permission, though conservation areas and listed buildings can be different. Parts of Leicester are designated, so check with Leicester City Council if you are unsure.
Building regulations may apply when a large part of the roof is replaced, particularly for insulation and ventilation. Terraces and semis can also involve a shared wall, and the Party Wall Act might be relevant in some cases. Ask your contractor what applies to your property, and ask the council if the answer is unclear.
How can I compare quotes fairly?
Get at least two or three written quotes. Make sure each one covers the same work, then compare them line by line. Here is a short checklist.
- Does each quote say what the covering is, by type and brand if possible?
- Is scaffold included?
- Is waste removal included?
- Are lead flashings, ridge and verge work itemised?
- How will extra timber work be charged?
- What payment terms does the contractor ask for? Be careful of anyone who wants everything up front.
- Does the firm carry public liability insurance, and will they show you proof?
A good roofer will not mind these questions. Be cautious of anyone who pushes you to decide on the day or says the price is only good if you agree today.
Is it worth getting the roof checked first?
If you are not sure whether you need a new roof at all, an inspection can save money. A repair may be all that is needed, or the roof may have a few more years in it. If it does need replacing, the inspection gives you something to show contractors, so every quote starts from the same description.
Our roof inspection service gives you a written report with photographs. If you already know the roof is at the end of its life, our roof replacement page explains how a re-roof works, step by step, and what to expect on the day.
The short answer
For a typical Leicester house, expect a full re-roof to cost from a few thousand pounds for a small terrace up to well over ten thousand for a larger or more complex property. The only way to know your figure is to have the roof looked at and the work written down. If you are weighing it up, ask for a written quote and compare it carefully with others.