New Roofs & Re-Roofing in Cambridge & Cambridgeshire

The clearest indicators are: the sarking felt beneath the tiles has broken down and is visible hanging or crumbling from inside the loft; battens are rotten across large sections rather than isolated areas; tiles or slates are crumbling, delaminating or becoming porous throughout rather than just in a few places; or the roof has had multiple repairs over a short period and the problems keep returning. On Cambridge's 1960s and 70s properties, concrete interlocking tiles that have lost their protective surface and are now retaining moisture — often covered in heavy moss growth — are a common sign that the roof has reached the end of its life. We inspect and give you an honest assessment; we will always tell you if a repair is genuinely sufficient.

Most re-roofing jobs on a standard Cambridge terraced or semi-detached house take between 3 and 6 days, depending on the size of the roof, the materials being used, and what we find once the old roof is stripped. Larger properties or those with more complex rooflines — multiple valleys, dormers, chimney stacks — will take longer. We give you a realistic timescale before work begins and keep you updated throughout. Scaffolding is typically erected the day before work starts and removed within a day of completion.

Yes — a re-roof is often the right time to address loft insulation and roof ventilation at the same time. New breathable sarking felt allows moisture vapour to escape from the roof void without the need for tile ventilators in some situations, reducing the risk of condensation build-up. If you are also upgrading loft insulation during the project, access is much easier while the roof is open. Better insulation and ventilation together reduce heat loss in winter and can meaningfully reduce heating costs. We can advise on insulation options as part of the quote visit.

Yes — full strip, disposal and site clearance is included in every re-roofing job. We remove all old tiles, slates, felt and battens, inspect the roof structure thoroughly once it is exposed, and dispose of all waste through licensed carriers. If we find structural timber that needs attention — damaged rafters, rotten wall plates — we will tell you before proceeding and quote for any additional work separately. The property is left clean and tidy on completion, with all scaffolding removed promptly after the job is finished.

Yes — material matching is a key part of every re-roofing job we carry out, and on older Cambridge properties it is particularly important. For Victorian and Edwardian slate roofs we source natural Welsh slate in the appropriate size and thickness to match. For older clay plain tile roofs we use reclaimed or new hand-made equivalents where possible to maintain character. For modern concrete interlocking tile roofs we match the profile and manufacturer range where the product is still available, or advise on the closest current equivalent. On conservation area properties we will advise on any specific material requirements that apply to your street or area before work starts.

Yes — all new roofs and full re-roofing projects carry a workmanship guarantee. The exact terms are confirmed in writing before work starts. In addition to our workmanship guarantee, the materials themselves carry manufacturer warranties: natural slate is guaranteed for the expected life of the building; concrete interlocking tile systems typically carry a 30-year product guarantee; GRP flat roofing systems carry a 25-year manufacturer guarantee. We will confirm all guarantee terms as part of the written quote so you know exactly what you are getting before any work begins.

Most homeowners remain in their property throughout a re-roofing project without significant disruption. The main considerations are noise — stripping and re-tiling a roof is not quiet work — and scaffold access around the property. We keep materials organised, walkways clear and debris contained during the job, and aim to have the roof watertight at the end of each working day so the property is not exposed overnight. If unexpected structural work is needed that could affect the interior, we will tell you immediately and discuss options before proceeding.

Yes — all new roof and re-roofing quotes are free, with no obligation. For re-roofing jobs we will always inspect the roof in person before quoting, as the full scope of work often only becomes clear once we have assessed the condition of the felt, battens and structure as well as the tiles or slates. We provide a clear written quote with an itemised breakdown of materials and labour so you know exactly what is included. Call 01223 258 150 or fill in the contact form to arrange a free survey and quote across Cambridge and Cambridgeshire.

Re-roofing costs vary significantly depending on the size of the roof, the materials specified and the complexity of the job. As a general guide, a full re-roof on a standard Cambridge terraced or semi-detached house typically ranges from £4,000 to £10,000+, with natural slate re-roofs at the higher end of the range due to material cost and the skill required. Larger or more complex properties, and those requiring conservation-area or matched materials, will be priced accordingly. We provide free, itemised quotes so you can compare like for like. Call 01223 258 150 or use the contact form to arrange a free survey.

In most cases, no — re-roofing an existing property using the same or equivalent materials is permitted development and does not require planning permission. However, there are important exceptions: if your property is listed, any works to the roof will require Listed Building Consent. If your property is in a conservation area and you are changing the roofing material — for example, replacing concrete tiles with a different tile type — permitted development rights may be restricted and you should check with Cambridge City Council or the relevant local authority before works begin. We advise on this as part of our free quote visit for any property in a conservation area or with listed status.