Curious how much replacing roof tiles cost before you get a roofer to quote?
We’ve all been there. You wake up and notice a cracked tile. Or worse… tiles missing from your roof after last night’s storm.
Here’s the problem:
Roof tile prices can range from as little as £170 for an average job to as much as £500+. Confusingly, that could be for the same exact replacement work.
Why such a big difference?
It’s down to several factors that push the cost up and down. Make sense of them and you’ll be in a much stronger position when getting quotes.
Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll learn…
- Key Factors that Affect Tile Replacement Costs
- Different Tile Materials and Their Costs
- The Hidden Costs that Get Homeowners Stuck
- Savvy Ways to Save Money on Roofers
So Why Do Roof Tile Prices Vary So Much?
Hang on, a little context first…
Research found that 22% of UK homeowners had experienced storm damage to their property in the last five years. That’s a huge number of damaged roof tiles in need of replacement across the country.
The thing that most people don’t realise though is:
The roof tile replacement cost depends on so much more than just the tiles themselves. Everything from where you live to how high up your roof is plays into the final price.
The average cost of up to five broken tiles is about £170. But this rockets when things start to get complicated.
We’ll look at the details on exactly what factors affect the prices next…
The Type of Tile You Choose to Use Makes a Big Difference
Not all roof tiles are the same.
The material being used for the replacement tiles is one of the biggest price drivers. So here’s what the average prices per tile look like for each type:
- Clay tiles: £0.80 – £2.50
- Concrete tiles: £1 – £3.50
- Slate tiles: £3 – £5
Slate tiles are top of the range. Beautifully rustic and built to last decades. But with those advantages comes a higher price.
Something to bear in mind:
Matching existing roof tiles for the replacement is also important. Mismatched tiles are super obvious and stand out like a sore thumb. Reclaimed tiles from merchants are sometimes needed to ensure this. Which takes time (and sometimes money) to track down.
Access to the Roof and Scaffolding Costs
This is where it can really start to ramp up…
The height of a property directly affects how much a job will cost. One story homes are simple. But two stories upwards need scaffolding to work safely.
Which is no small investment…
Scaffolding hire for an average UK property adds between £400 and £900 onto the bill. For larger homes, scaffolding costs can easily be over £1,200.
A good piece of news here is:
The majority of roofers do their own scaffolding arrangements. They work with trusted companies and factor the costs into their overall quotes. But always check and ask exactly what’s included before signing off on the job.
Labour Costs Around the UK
Location location location.
UK roofers charge broadly the same rates regardless of where they are based. Day rates sit between £200 and £275 on average. With higher rates in London and the South East region.
Local variations in price are part of the game. A simple tile replacement job that only takes a couple of hours may only cost about £100 in labour costs. Extensive work taking several days of course cost more.
Something to remember is:
Roofing is tough physical work and most professional roofers work in pairs for safety reasons. This naturally doubles the labour costs. But it ensures the job gets done safely and to a high standard.
Condition of the Roof
One or two tiles being replaced can sometimes reveal more serious underlying problems.
Damage lurking under the surface of the roof is something that can come to light. Rotten timber, damaged battens, or worn underlayment can all be discovered when work is being done. And these things will all need attention before new tiles go on top.
Structural repairs typically add between £350 and £1,000 to the overall cost. It all depends on what’s found of course.
Which is why professional roofers often recommend getting a full inspection:
Checking the condition of the roof over all before quoting gives the entire project much greater clarity. It means there are no nasty surprises half way through the job.
UK Weather and Timing Considerations
Roof tiles take a battering from UK weather conditions.
Storm season in the UK is October through to March. It’s when most damage occurs and roofers are busiest. Quotes in the peak of the season are likely to be higher and you’ll wait longer.
If possible, plan to have replacements done outside of this window. Spring and early summer tend to be quieter, so you may secure a better rate.
Something to also consider is:
A damaged roof left unchecked invites water ingress. A single tile replacement becomes a much larger and more expensive repair job when water damage eats away at the internal structure.
Find the Best Value for Your Money
It pays to do your research before engaging a roofer:
It’s essential to get several quotes. Three quotes minimum is a solid number to get a handle on what the going rate is for the work you need. But beware, the cheapest quote is not always the best value.
Look for roofers who will:
- Provide a written quote
- Explain in detail exactly what’s included
- Carry proper insurance cover
- Provide guarantees on their work
Pro tip:
Ask if there’s any other work that could be worth doing while scaffolding is up. Bundle jobs together and the job will often work out cheaper than booking roofers to return separately for each job.
Wrapping Things Up
Roof tile replacement costs vary depending on several key factors. The type of tiles, access to the roof, labour rates, and the overall condition of the roof all have their role.
Homeowners can generally expect to pay around £170 for simple replacements of five or fewer broken tiles. Costs increase significantly when scaffolding is required or when additional hidden damage is uncovered.
The main points to remember are:
- The tile material has a huge impact on the cost of the job
- Scaffolding can easily add hundreds onto the bill
- Location influences the daily labour rate
- Hidden damage can increase the cost unexpectedly
- Always get multiple quotes to avoid overpaying
Understanding what goes into setting the price for roofers gives homeowners the upper hand. It helps when budgeting and also means there are no nasty surprises on the final invoice. It also means you can have a much more productive conversation with the roofers themselves.
Don’t ignore small problems and let them snowball into big expensive ones later down the line. A single broken tile today leads to much more costly water damage tomorrow.
