What should be included in a full re-roof quote?

A full re-roof is a major job, so the headline total is only part of the story. Two quotes can look very different while describing completely different amounts of work. The fairest way to compare them is line by line: what is being removed, what is being fitted, what happens if the roof needs extra work, and what paperwork do you receive at the end?

1. Access, scaffolding and protection

The quote should explain how the roof will be accessed safely. For most full re-roofs that means scaffolding, edge protection and a safe way to move materials on and off the roof. Check whether scaffold hire, erection, alterations and removal are included, or whether they will be added separately.

It is also worth asking how the company will protect paths, windows, conservatories, planting and driveways, and how the site will be left at the end of each working day.

2. Stripping the old roof and disposing of it

A proper quote should say whether it includes removing the existing tiles or slates, ridges, hips, old battens, underlay and any redundant leadwork. It should also explain how the waste will be handled and disposed of.

If the quote only says “new roof” without describing what is being stripped out, ask for the scope in writing. It prevents arguments later about whether an item was included.

3. The new roof build-up

The quote should identify the main components of the new roof, not just the tile colour. Depending on the roof, that may include a vapour-permeable membrane, graded roofing battens, felt support trays, replacement tiles or slates, and new dry-fix ridge, hip or verge systems where required.

• The proposed tile or slate, including the manufacturer and profile
• The membrane or underlay specification
• The size and treatment of the roofing battens
• How the eaves, ridges, hips, verges and valleys will be detailed
• Whether ventilation and felt support trays are included where needed

4. Leadwork, chimneys and other leak-prone details

The main roof covering is only one part of a re-roof. Chimneys, valleys, abutments, bonding gutters, roof windows and changes in roof level all need proper detailing. A good quote should say what happens to the existing leadwork and whether new flashings, soakers, valleys, pointing or flaunching are included where the survey identifies a need.

This is one of the areas where a short quote can create uncertainty. Ask what is included as standard and what would only be carried out if a defect is found once the roof is open.

5. Insulation and Building Control

Where the roof is being renovated to the extent that the regulations apply, the quote should explain how insulation and Building Control will be dealt with. That may involve topping up loft insulation, improving the roof build-up and arranging the relevant notification or completion paperwork.

Do not assume that a certificate is included simply because the words “building regulations” appear in a brochure. Ask who makes the application, who pays the fee and what document you will receive when the work is complete.

6. Guarantees, insurance and handover paperwork

The quote should distinguish between the roofer’s workmanship guarantee, manufacturer warranties and any insurance-backed protection. Ask how long each lasts, what it covers and who you contact if there is a problem.

You should also receive a clear handover at the end: the final invoice, guarantee documents, Building Control paperwork where applicable, and any manufacturer information relevant to the materials used.

Why the cheapest quote is not always the cheapest job

A lower price is not automatically wrong, and a higher price is not automatically better. The important question is whether you are comparing the same scope. A quote that leaves out scaffold, waste disposal, new battens, dry fixing, leadwork or paperwork may look cheaper simply because fewer items have been allowed for.

Questions to ask before you choose

• Is the scaffold included from start to finish?
• Does the price include stripping and disposing of all existing roof materials?
• What membrane, battens, tiles or slates and dry-fix systems are specified?
• What happens to the chimneys, valleys, verges, ridges and abutments?
• Is insulation included, and who deals with Building Control if it is required?
• What guarantees and insurance-backed protection will I receive in writing?
• What is excluded, and how will any unexpected work be agreed before it is carried out?
• Who is my point of contact while the work is under way?

How we quote a full re-roof

We start with a proper survey, explain whether a repair or full replacement is the sensible option, and then send a written quote showing the work and materials in plain English. The aim is not to produce the longest document possible; it is to remove uncertainty before the scaffold goes up.