About this page: Roof Contractor London is a free enquiry service run by Web Designer Limited. We pass enquiries to independent roofers; we don’t carry out the work, and we can’t guarantee that every enquiry is taken up. Figures below are quoted from the named sources with their dates; they are not our prices. More about this site.
If your roof is leaking now
- Stay off the roof. Working at height is dangerous. Checkatrade’s roof guide advises moving furniture and valuables, putting buckets under drips and leaving the roof itself to a roofer.
- Water near electrics: if water is coming through a light fitting or near sockets, switch off the affected circuit at the consumer unit if it is safe to do so, and get an electrician to check it.
- Record it: take dated photos inside and out (from the ground) before anything is moved or repaired. Your insurer may ask for them.
- Tell your insurer early if you think it is storm damage, and ask what they need before you agree repairs.
- Renting? Tell your landlord or managing agent in writing.
Our enquiry service is not an emergency service and we can’t promise a roofer will be available on any particular day. You can still send an enquiry and say it is urgent.
Common roof repairs on London houses
- Slipped or cracked slates and tiles, often on older Victorian and Edwardian terraces with natural slate.
- Lead flashing around chimneys, abutments and dormers, which can split or lift over time.
- Ridge and hip tiles where mortar has failed; many are now replaced with dry-fix systems.
- Flat roofs on rear extensions and dormers: felt, EPDM rubber or GRP fibreglass coverings that blister, split or pond water.
- Valleys and parapet gutters between London terraces that block with leaves and silt.
- Gutters, downpipes, fascias and soffits.
Published roof repair costs
We don’t price roofing work. The figures below are from Checkatrade’s roof repair cost guide (table last updated June 2026). They exclude VAT and access equipment, are based on repairs up to about 3 m², and do not include removing the damaged covering.
| Roof type | Repair cost (per m², ex VAT) |
|---|---|
| Flat – bitumen (felt) | £100 – £140 |
| Flat – EPDM rubber | £120 – £170 |
| Flat – GRP fibreglass | £130 – £180 |
| Pitched – concrete plain tile | £90 – £120 |
| Pitched – clay plain tile | £110 – £160 |
| Pitched – natural slate | £150 – £220 |
| Other items (Checkatrade, ex VAT) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Dry ridge | £50 – £70 per metre |
| Replace lead flashing (Code 5, up to 150 mm) | £50 – £70 per metre |
| Replace stepped lead flashing | £80 – £120 per metre |
| Roofer day rate | About £280 – £360 per day |
| Single scaffold up to 10 m high | Around £625 per week |
Checkatrade’s repair guide notes that emergency or out-of-hours work costs more, and its roof replacement guide says labour tends to cost more in the South East and big cities such as London. Treat the figures as a guide to reading quotes, not as London prices.
Insurance and storm damage
Checkatrade’s guidance is that home insurance may cover a leak caused by a sudden insured event such as a storm, but gradual wear and tear and poor maintenance are generally excluded. Check your policy wording, take photos, and speak to your insurer before booking non-emergency repairs.
Scaffolding and access
Many London roofs can only be reached safely with scaffolding or a tower. If scaffolding has to stand on the pavement or road, a licence from the highway authority (usually your borough) is needed under section 169 of the Highways Act 1980; the scaffolder normally applies. Ask whether scaffolding, the licence and any temporary covers are in the quote. Small repairs are sometimes done from a cherry picker or roof ladder; ask the roofer how they will work safely.
Choosing a roofer, and warning signs
- Get written quotes from more than one roofer, each describing the cause of the problem and the repair.
- Ask for photos of the damage, ideally before and after.
- Check the business: Companies House for limited companies, current public liability insurance, and any TrustMark or trade association claims on the scheme’s own website.
- For re-roofing rather than repair, ask whether the roofer is registered with an authorised competent person scheme for roof coverings. The GOV.UK list names NAPIT and CompetentRoofer for replacing roof coverings on pitched and flat roofs.
- Warning signs, as Checkatrade puts it, include pressure to decide immediately, requests for large up-front cash payments, vague quotes and reluctance to provide insurance details or references. Be very wary of anyone who knocks on the door saying they have “noticed a problem” with your roof.
If a repair has become a replacement, see new roof costs and the rules on re-roofing. When you are ready, use the enquiry form and we’ll pass it to an independent roofer who covers your area. We don’t carry out roofing work ourselves.
Questions people ask
How much does a roof repair cost in London?
There is no published London-only table. Checkatrade’s June 2026 UK figures are about £90 to £120 per m² for concrete tiles, £110 to £160 for clay tiles and £150 to £220 for natural slate, plus VAT and access. Checkatrade also says roofing labour tends to cost more in London.
Can a roof be repaired in the rain?
Some temporary measures can be taken, but a roofer will decide whether it is safe to work. Wet, icy or windy conditions can delay permanent repairs.
Do I need planning permission for roof repairs?
Most minor repairs do not need planning permission or Building Regulations approval. Listed buildings, conservation areas and larger re-roofing or structural work can be different; check with your borough or building control.
Is a leaking roof covered by home insurance?
It may be if the damage was caused by a sudden insured event, such as a storm. Wear and tear and poor maintenance are generally excluded. Check your policy and speak to your insurer before booking non-emergency work.
Sources
- Checkatrade – Roof repair costs: price breakdown 2026 (UK)
- Checkatrade – How much does a roof replacement cost in 2026?
- Highways Act 1980, section 169
- GOV.UK – Competent person schemes
- Companies House – find and update company information
- TrustMark – homeowner information
Sources checked on 20 October 2026. General information only, not legal, planning, structural or financial advice.
Related pages
- New roof cost
2026 UK figures for a new roof by roof type, extras, Building Regulations thresholds and planning on London streets.