Roof replacement · Exeter & East Devon
New roofs and full reroofs in Exeter
A reroof is not a bigger repair. It is stripping back to the timber, fixing what is underneath, and building the roof again properly — which is why it lasts fifty years and a patched roof does not.
Full reroofs in Exeter cluster around a few property types. The 1930s semis across Whipton, Wonford, Heavitree and Pinhoe are the largest group — their original clay and early concrete tiles are now at the end of their service life. Victorian terraces in St James, St Leonard's and Pennsylvania come next, usually once nail fatigue has spread across the original Welsh slate to the point where individual repairs become uneconomical. The 1960s and 70s estate housing using early concrete interlocking tile is now reaching the same threshold.
What a reroof actually involves
- Scaffold erected and the work area protected
- Existing covering, battens and felt stripped back to the rafters
- Rafters, purlins and wall plates inspected — any rot cut out and replaced, priced as an agreed variation
- New breathable membrane laid over the rafters
- New treated battens set to the correct gauge for the chosen covering
- New slate or tile laid from the eaves up, with new ridge, hip and verge detail
- Lead work renewed at chimneys, valleys and abutments as part of the job
- Waste removed and the site cleared
What drives the price
Roof size and pitch
The obvious one, but pitch matters as much as area — a steep roof is slower and needs more scaffold than a shallow one of the same footprint.
Material choice
Concrete tile at the economical end, natural Welsh slate at the other. On a terrace the difference between the two can be several thousand pounds across the same roof.
Access and timber condition
A terrace with rear access only, or a property where the purlins have gone, changes the job substantially. Neither is visible until we look, which is why we inspect before quoting.
Indicative Exeter costs
A Victorian terrace reroof in St James or Heavitree typically falls between £6,000 and £8,500 depending on the original slate type and how much timber repair is needed. Full reroofs on 1930s and post-war semis in Pinhoe or Whipton are usually £5,500 to £8,000. Detached properties and complex roof geometry run from £7,000 to £12,000. These are indicative ranges from typical job costs, not a quote — the only honest price comes after someone has looked at the roof.
What you get
- An inspection before the quote, including loft access to check the timber where possible
- An honest answer on whether repairs would still be the better spend
- Itemised written quote including scaffold, materials, labour and waste removal
- Variations agreed in writing before the work happens, never added afterwards
- Written workmanship guarantee, plus manufacturer warranties on materials passed to you
Roof replacement costs · Slate roofing · Roof repairs · Listed building roofing
Frequently asked
How do I know I need a reroof rather than repairs?
The clearest markers are leaks appearing in more than one place, widespread slipping across multiple slopes, a visibly sagging roof line, and felt that has gone brittle enough to crumble when you touch it in the loft. Past roughly 20–25% of the covering having failed, repairs stop paying for themselves.
How long does a reroof take?
A typical Exeter semi takes 3–5 working days. Detached houses and complex roof shapes take 5–7. We never leave a roof uncovered overnight and we work around the weather rather than through it.
What materials can I choose?
On non-listed properties: concrete tile is the widest range and most economical, clay tile gives a more traditional appearance, natural slate is the right answer on period properties, and synthetic slate is a cheaper slate alternative. On listed buildings and in conservation areas the choice is usually restricted to matching the original.
Is scaffolding included in the quote?
Yes. Scaffold and waste removal are both in our reroof quotes as standard, itemised so you can see what they cost. A quote that leaves scaffold out is not a cheaper job, it is a less complete quote.
What happens if you find rotten timber?
We stop, photograph it, and tell you before we go further. Rafter and purlin condition cannot be seen until the covering is off, so replacement timber is priced as a variation and agreed in writing with you rather than added to the final bill as a surprise.
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