Roof Replacement and New Roofs in Bristol
Get a Free Quote
Our Services
A New Roof Built to Last for Decades
Every roof reaches a point where patching it up stops making sense. Tiles start slipping all over, the felt underneath has turned brittle, and you are calling a roofer after every storm. At that point a full roof replacement in Bristol is usually the cheaper option over the next ten years, and it ends the worry.
We strip the old covering right back to the rafters, check and repair any timber that needs it, then build the new roof up properly with a breathable membrane, new treated battens and your choice of tiles or slate. Ridges, hips and verges are finished with modern dry-fix systems or traditional mortar to suit the house.
Before anything is agreed, we inspect the roof, explain whether replacement is really needed and give you a written quote that spells out every part of the job. If a repair will buy you years, we will say so.
Signs Your Roof May Need Replacing
A roof rarely fails all at once. These are the signs that tell us replacement is worth considering:
- Leaks in several different places, not just one
- Tiles or slates slipping across the whole roof
- Brittle, torn or sagging felt seen from the loft
- Daylight showing through the roof boards
- A dipping or uneven roof line
- Moss and frost damage that has cracked many tiles
Bristol has a huge mix of roofs, and each one is replaced differently. Victorian terraces in Southville, Easton and St George are often re-slated, sometimes with reclaimed slate to keep the street looking right. The 1930s semis of Henleaze, Brislington and Knowle usually move from tired concrete tiles to new interlocking tiles. Period homes in Clifton and Redland may sit in a conservation area, where materials need careful thought.
Whatever the house, we talk you through the options. Natural slate, clay tiles and concrete tiles all look and perform differently, and we explain the pros and cons of each so you can choose with confidence. See our slate roofing and tile roofing pages for more detail.
Expert Advice
What Goes Into a New Roof
A modern pitched roof is a system, not just a covering. Under the tiles or slates sits a breathable roofing membrane that keeps out wind-driven rain while letting moisture escape from the loft. Treated timber battens, graded for roofing, carry the tiles. Under BS 5534, every single-lap tile is mechanically fixed, and ridge and hip tiles are secured mechanically rather than relying on mortar alone. Dry-fix ridge, hip and verge systems are now common for this reason. Lead or modern alternatives seal the joints around chimneys, walls and roof windows.
Ventilation and Insulation
Good roof ventilation helps prevent condensation in the loft, which can rot timbers and soak insulation. Replacing a large part of a roof normally brings in the energy efficiency rules in Approved Document L, so we check the existing insulation and explain any upgrade needed, together with building control approval or self-certification.
Choosing Materials
Natural slate, clay tiles and concrete interlocking tiles each have different looks, weights and lifespans. On period homes, and in conservation areas or the City of Bath, matching the original material is often expected. On newer homes, there is more freedom. We explain the options for your property, including how they look on your street, and compare them on our roofing systems page.
Before Work Starts
We arrange scaffold, including any Bristol City Council or Bath and North East Somerset Council licence if it stands on the pavement, and check for bats or nesting birds, which are protected by law.
How a Roof Replacement Works
Most house roof replacements in Bristol take between a few days and two weeks, depending on size, access and the weather. This is how the job runs from start to finish.
- Survey and quote: we inspect the roof and loft, then give you a written quote with materials and timings.
- Scaffold and protection: scaffold goes up and we protect your garden, drive and gutters.
- Strip and repair: the old roof comes off and any rotten timber is replaced.
- New roof: breathable membrane, new battens, tiles or slate, then ridge, hips and verges.
- Finishing: new lead flashing where needed, gutters checked and the site left clean.
Full Roof Replacement Across Bristol
We replace roofs on houses of every age and size across the city, including Bedminster, Kingswood, Fishponds, Horfield, Bishopston, Filton and Westbury-on-Trym.
A new roof is also the best time to sort out everything around it. Many customers replace tired fascias and soffits, add VELUX roof windows or upgrade the guttering while the scaffold is already up, which saves paying for access twice.
Wondering what a new roof costs?
Roof replacement is part of our residential roofing services. Compare every material on our roofing systems page, including slate, tile and metal roofing.
Roof Replacement Reviews From Bristol and Bath Customers
Our authenticity promise: we only publish genuine reviews from real customers, with their permission. Every review shown here will include the customer’s first name, their area, the work carried out, the date and where the review was left. We never write, buy, edit or pay for reviews.
Reviews from customers who have had roof replacement work carried out across Bristol and Bath will appear here as jobs are completed. If we have worked on your roof, we would love to hear how it went.
Roof Replacement FAQs
How long does a roof replacement take?
A typical terraced or semi-detached house takes around one to two weeks, including putting up and taking down the scaffold. Bigger or more complex roofs take longer, and wet or windy weather can add a few days.
How much does a new roof cost in Bristol?
It depends on the size of the roof, the material you choose and the access. Slate costs more than concrete tiles, and scaffold makes up a big part of every quote.
Do I need planning permission for a new roof?
Replacing a roof like for like usually does not need planning permission. Changing the material, the shape of the roof or working on a listed building or in a conservation area may need consent from Bristol City Council. We will flag it if your home is affected.
Can I stay in my home while the roof is replaced?
Yes. Most people stay at home throughout. We keep the roof covered and watertight at the end of each day, and we work to keep noise and mess to a minimum.
Should I repair or replace my roof?
If the problems are limited to one area, a repair is usually the better choice. If tiles, felt and battens are failing across the whole roof, replacement is better value in the long run. Read more about roof leak repair if you are not sure.
What happens to the old roof materials?
We clear them away and dispose of them responsibly. Where it makes sense, good slates can be reused on the new roof.
Do I need building regulations approval for a new roof?
Often, yes. Renovating a large part of a roof normally brings in the energy efficiency rules in Approved Document L of the Building Regulations. The work then needs building control approval, unless the contractor is registered with a competent person scheme that lets them self-certify it. Bristol City Council Building Control can advise if you are unsure.
What happens if bats are found during a re-roof?
All UK bat species and their roosts are protected by law. If bats are found, work stops and an ecologist is consulted, and a licence from Natural England may be needed. Planning the work for the right time of year helps avoid delays.
Why Choose Us for Your New Roof
A new roof is a big investment, so you deserve straight answers. We explain what your roof actually needs, quote clearly in writing and keep you updated from the day the scaffold goes up to the day it comes down.
- Honest advice on repair versus replacement
- Written quotes listing every material and stage
- Old roof stripped and timbers checked properly
- Site protected and left clean every day