A new roof is one of the biggest investments you will make in your South London home. Costs vary widely based on property size, materials, access and location — and getting an accurate picture before you commit is essential. This guide breaks down real costs for South London properties in 2026.
Four factors determine what you will pay: roof size (measured in square metres), material choice (slate costs more than concrete tiles), access difficulty (terraced houses need scaffold on both sides if rear access is limited), and structural condition (rotten timbers add cost). South London's dense Victorian terraced streets often mean scaffold costs are higher than suburban areas because of restricted access and party wall considerations.
Conservation area restrictions in Dulwich, Greenwich, Camberwell Grove and Blackheath can also increase costs — natural slate is mandatory in many of these zones, and reclaimed Welsh slate carries a significant premium over standard alternatives.
These prices include scaffold, waste removal, new breathable membrane, battens, tiles/slates, ridge, valleys and flashings. They assume the existing timber structure is sound — rotten timbers are quoted as extras once exposed during the strip.
If your property was built with slate — as most Victorian and many Edwardian South London properties were — we strongly recommend staying with slate. Changing to tiles alters the roof weight, may require structural modifications, and looks incongruous on a period streetscape. Reclaimed Welsh slate is the premium option at £80–£120/m², new Spanish slate runs £45–£70/m², and quality concrete tiles cost £25–£40/m².
For 1930s properties in Bromley, Croydon and Eltham that were built with concrete or clay tiles, modern equivalents are the practical choice. The key is matching the existing profile and colour to maintain the street character.
A complete re-roofing quote should itemise: scaffold erection and dismantle, full strip of existing covering, inspection and report on timber condition, new breathable roofing membrane, new treated battens, tile or slate supply and fix, new ridge system (dry ridge or mortar bedded), valley replacement, all lead flashings, skip hire and waste disposal, and the workmanship guarantee period.
If a quote is a single lump sum with no breakdown — walk away. You need to see what you are paying for, and you need it in writing before any work starts. Our quotes list every element with individual costs so you can see exactly where your money goes.
Beware of quotes that are dramatically cheaper than others — the gap usually means corners being cut on materials or membrane specification. Watch for quotes that do not include scaffold (it will appear as an extra later), quotes with no written guarantee, and roofers who want to start immediately without a written agreement. A genuine professional roofer in South London will provide a detailed written quote, give you time to consider it, and carry NFRC registration and public liability insurance you can verify.
If you want a second opinion on any quote you have received, call us on 0203 489 5352 — we are happy to review what has been quoted and let you know if it looks right.
If fewer than 20% of your tiles or slates need attention and the underlying felt and battens are sound, repair is the correct approach. If more than 30% of the covering is failing, or if the felt is degraded and admitting water, a full replacement is more cost-effective than repeated patch repairs. On Victorian properties with nail sickness — where the iron nail fixings are corroding across the whole roof — the tipping point comes when slates are slipping faster than you can replace them. At that stage, a full strip and re-fix is the honest recommendation.
Scaffold is the biggest variable cost that quotes handle differently. Some roofers include scaffold in the headline price, others list it separately. Always compare quotes on a like-for-like basis including scaffold. Skip hire (£250–£400 per skip for a full re-roof) and waste disposal should also be included. If a quote says "waste removal extra" — ask for the figure before agreeing.
Rotten timber is the unpredictable extra. Until the existing roof is stripped, the condition of rafters, purlins and wall plates underneath is unknown. Good roofers include an allowance or a per-metre rate for timber replacement in their quote so you know what to expect if rot is found. Bad roofers strip the roof, find rotten timber, and present you with an unplanned extra when you have no option but to pay it. We photograph any timber issues, explain what we have found, and agree the additional cost before proceeding.
Get three quotes minimum. Ask every roofer: Is scaffold included? Is waste removal included? What happens if you find rotten timber? What guarantee do you provide in writing? Are you NFRC registered? Can I see your public liability insurance certificate? What materials are you specifying and why? A roofer who cannot or will not answer these questions clearly is not the right roofer for your project.
South London has hundreds of roofing companies — from one-man-band handymen to national franchises. Choosing the right one for your specific job matters. Key things to verify before hiring anyone: NFRC registration (the industry standard body — check their online register), public liability insurance (ask to see the certificate, not just a verbal claim), a written guarantee (not verbal — written, with terms), and local references you can actually check. A roofer who cannot provide these is not a roofer you should trust with your home.
Ask how long they have been trading and specifically how much experience they have with your property type. A roofer with 20 years experience on modern housing estates may struggle with a Victorian butterfly roof or a Georgian parapet gutter. Specialist local knowledge — understanding the housing stock, the common failure patterns, and the correct material specifications for your area — is what separates a good result from a recurring problem.
The cheapest roofing quote is rarely the best value. Cheap quotes usually mean cheap materials, inadequate specification, skipped steps (no membrane replacement, no timber inspection, insufficient fixings), and no meaningful guarantee. The result is a roof that fails in 5–10 years instead of 30–50, costing you more in total than doing it properly once. Equally, the most expensive quote is not automatically the best — some companies charge premium prices without delivering premium specification. The right quote is the one that specifies correct materials for your property type, includes every element of the job, provides a written guarantee you can enforce, and comes from a company with the registration and insurance to back it up.
We encourage every South London homeowner to get three quotes and compare them on specification, not just price. If our quote is not the cheapest, we will explain exactly what we are specifying differently and why. Informed customers make better decisions — and we would rather you choose us because you understand the value than because we undercut someone on price.
Spring and early autumn are the optimal times for major roofing work in South London — dry enough for open-roof phases, warm enough for membrane adhesion on flat roofs, and before the winter storm season that generates emergency demand. Summer is busiest and booking times are longer. Winter work is possible for most repairs and re-roofing (tile and slate work is not temperature-sensitive), but flat roofing and leadwork are temperature-dependent and may need scheduling around weather windows. Emergency work happens year-round regardless of conditions — that is what emergency means.
Free inspection, free quote, no obligation. NFRC registered, 10-year guarantee.
Free quotes, no call-out fees, same-day emergency response across South London.
0203 489 5352A quality slate roof lasts 75–150 years. Clay tiles last 60–80 years. Concrete tiles last 30–50 years. The key variable is specification — materials must be rated for London's conditions and properly installed with correct ventilation.
Most like-for-like replacements fall under permitted development. Changing materials — e.g. slate to tiles — may require approval, especially in conservation areas. We advise during the survey.
Yes. Slate and tile installation is not temperature-sensitive. We work year-round provided conditions are safe — no ice on scaffold, no open-roof work during driving rain.
A standard 3-bed terrace takes 3–5 days. Larger properties 5–8 days. Weather delays are factored into every schedule.
Yes. A new roof typically adds 5–10% to property value and removes a major concern for buyers. In South London's competitive housing market, a property with a recent roof survey and guarantee is significantly more attractive.
We can discuss payment schedules on larger projects. We do not offer formal finance products but are flexible on staging payments to match project milestones.
Call 0203 489 5352 or request a callback. We will arrange a convenient time to survey your roof, provide a detailed written quote, and answer any questions. No obligation.
No call-out fees. No obligation. Just an honest quote from a local South London roofer.
0203 489 5352