Frequently Asked Questions

A few clear signs point to a roof that needs work rather than a full replacement: slipped, cracked or missing tiles, persistent damp patches or stains on upstairs ceilings, sagging in the roofline, thick moss holding moisture against the tiles, or daylight showing through in the loft. Crumbling mortar on the ridge and chimney, and rusted or lifting flashings, are common culprits on older Haverhill homes. Many of these can be repaired for a few hundred pounds rather than re-roofing, so it is worth getting them looked at early. If your roof is over 40 years old and several of these are present together, replacement may be the more sensible long-term option. If you are unsure, we offer a free inspection to tell you honestly which way to go.

It depends heavily on the covering. Natural slate can last 75–100 years, clay tiles 50–60 years, and concrete tiles around 30–50 years, while felt flat roofs typically last 15–20 years and modern EPDM or GRP flat roofs 20–30 years. Exposure matters too — roofs that catch the prevailing wind and rain across the open Suffolk and Essex countryside weather faster than sheltered ones, and blocked gutters or failed flashings will shorten any roof's life. The honest answer for most homes is that a well-built pitched roof will outlast its flashings and mortar, so it is usually the ridge, valleys and chimney details that need attention first. If yours is over 40 years old, a quick inspection will tell you whether it needs work or simply monitoring.

For most homeowners the answer is no. Like-for-like repairs and re-roofing in the same style and materials usually fall under permitted development and need no planning permission. You are more likely to need approval if you raise the roof height, add dormers or rooflights that significantly change the shape, or convert the loft beyond permitted limits. Different rules apply if you live in a conservation area or own a listed building, where even a change of tile or slate type can need consent. Building Regulations are separate from planning and can apply to structural work or insulation upgrades even when planning is not required. If you are unsure, we are happy to talk through what your particular job involves before any work starts, and you can also check with West Suffolk Council.

Costs vary with the size and pitch of the roof, the covering you choose, and how much access or scaffolding the job needs. As a rough guide, a typical semi-detached house re-roof ranges from around £5,000 to £12,000, with larger detached homes or natural slate pushing higher, and a small flat roof replacement often falling between £1,500 and £4,000. Reclaimed or natural materials, complex valleys and steep pitches all add to the figure, while a straightforward re-tile in concrete tiles sits at the lower end. We always quote for your actual roof rather than a price-per-square-metre estimate, and we break the costs down so you can see what you are paying for. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your property.

Yes. We provide free, no-obligation quotes for all roofing work, from a single slipped tile to a full re-roof. We will arrange a convenient time to visit, look over the roof properly rather than guessing from the ground, and talk through what the job actually needs. Where it helps, we will explain the different material options and the price difference between them, so you can make an informed decision. The quote we give is a clear written figure for the work described, and there is no obligation to proceed. If we think a repair will do the job rather than a costly replacement, we will tell you. To arrange a visit, call 07515 114557 or send us a message through the contact page.

Yes. We regularly carry out work that arises from storm damage, fallen branches, slipped tiles and water ingress, much of which homeowners claim for on their buildings insurance. We can inspect the damage, provide a detailed written quote describing the work needed, and supply clear photographs to support your claim. Insurers usually want evidence of the cause and extent of the damage and a breakdown of the repair costs, and we can put that together for you. Your insurer decides what is and is not covered under your policy, so it is always worth checking your terms and excess first. If you have had storm or weather damage, get in touch and we will assess it and provide the paperwork you need to make a claim.

First, deal with the water inside. Place a bucket under the drip, move furniture, electronics and valuables clear, and lift carpets in the affected area if you can. If water is pooling against a ceiling and it is bulging, a small hole pierced from below will let it drain in a controlled way rather than bringing the whole ceiling down. Switch off the electrics to any affected room if water is near light fittings. Do not climb onto the roof yourself, especially in wet or windy weather — most serious roofing injuries happen this way, and a leak rarely looks the same from above as it does inside. Note where the water is coming in to help us trace the source, then call us and we will arrange to make it watertight as soon as we can.

Yes. We deal with urgent situations such as storm damage, fallen tiles, sudden leaks and weather damage where the roof has been left open. When you call, we will ask what has happened and how bad it is so we can prioritise getting your roof watertight. In many cases the first step is a temporary repair — securing or covering the damaged area to stop further water getting in — followed by a permanent fix once the immediate risk is dealt with and the weather allows. As a local Haverhill business covering the surrounding Suffolk and Essex villages, we are usually able to respond quickly. If you have an urgent problem, call 07515 114557 and we will let you know honestly how soon we can get to you.

Absolutely — no job is too small. Replacing a handful of slipped or cracked tiles is one of the most common jobs we do, and catching it early often prevents a small problem turning into water damage, rotten battens or stained ceilings. A typical small tile repair is usually a same-day job costing far less than people expect, especially compared with the damage a single missing tile can cause over a wet winter. We will match the replacement tiles to your existing roof as closely as we can, including sourcing reclaimed tiles for older properties where modern equivalents do not match. Whether it is one tile, a section of ridge, or a patch of storm damage, get in touch and we will sort it.

For most homes it comes down to GRP fibreglass or EPDM rubber, both of which far outlast the old felt roofs they usually replace. GRP is applied as a seamless liquid that cures hard, giving a tough, smooth finish that suits garages, extensions, dormers and areas that take foot traffic, and it typically lasts 20–30 years. EPDM is a single sheet of rubber laid over the deck, very flexible, quick to install and well suited to larger, simpler flat roofs, and it also lasts around 20–30 years. Traditional torch-on felt is cheaper up front but has a shorter life of roughly 15–20 years. Cost, the size and shape of the roof, and how much it will be walked on all play a part, and we will recommend the option that genuinely suits your property rather than the most expensive one.

In most cases, yes. We have access to a wide range of modern concrete and clay tiles and natural slates, and we can usually find a close match for common roof coverings across Haverhill and the surrounding area. For older or period properties where the original tiles are no longer made, we source reclaimed materials so the repair blends in rather than standing out as an obvious patch. An exact match is not always possible on very old or unusual roofs, and if that is the case we will be straight with you about it and suggest the best-looking practical option, such as taking matching tiles from a less visible elevation. Wherever we can, our aim is a repair that looks like it has always been part of the roof.

GRP stands for Glass Reinforced Plastic, better known as fibreglass. It is a flat roofing system built up in layers: a fibreglass matting is laid over a prepared deck and saturated with a liquid resin that cures into one solid, seamless, watertight skin, finished with a coloured topcoat. Because there are no joints or seams, there is nowhere for water to creep in, which is the usual weak point on older felt roofs. It is hard-wearing enough to walk on, copes well with the British climate, and typically lasts 20–30 years with little maintenance. That makes it a popular choice for garage roofs, flat-roof extensions, dormers, porches and balconies. The deck needs to be sound and dry when it is installed, so we always check the timber underneath before fitting.

It depends entirely on the job. Minor repairs such as replacing a few slipped tiles, re-bedding a section of ridge or sorting a small area of flashing can often be done in a few hours, sometimes the same day you call. Medium jobs like repointing a chimney, renewing a valley or patching storm damage usually take one to two days. Larger structural repairs, or work that needs scaffolding, take longer to set up and complete. Weather plays a part too — we will not leave a roof open in heavy rain — so timescales can shift in a wet spell. When we quote, we will give you a realistic timescale for your specific job and let you know in advance if anything is likely to delay it, so you are never left guessing.

A typical house re-roof usually takes around 3 to 7 days, depending on the size of the roof, its pitch and complexity, how many chimneys, valleys and dormers are involved, and the time needed to put up and take down scaffolding. A straightforward semi-detached roof sits at the shorter end, while a large detached property or a complicated roof shape takes longer. Flat roofs are generally quicker, often 1 to 3 days. British weather is the main variable, as we will not strip a roof we cannot make watertight again the same day, so a wet week can stretch the schedule. We will give you a clear start date and an honest estimate of how long your roof will take when we quote, and keep you updated if conditions change.