How Long Does it Take to Replace a Roof?

WHEN ASKING how long does it take to replace a roof in the UK, you might ask ‘how long is a piece of string?’

If you are wondering how long a roof replacement project is, the answer is not straightforward. The duration of the project depends on several factors.

Of course, it first depends first how big the roof is that is being replaced. Next, how long it will take to reroof your property depends on how complex the project is. This is because your roof might have a lot of different slopes (or pitches). Moreover, it might include features such as dormer windows or rooflights.

Your roofer might try to reclaim some of the roof coverings and reuse them. This is especially the case if you have a natural slate roof. Sometimes a proportion of the slate will be in good enough condition that it can be reused. However, that means the roofer will have to spend time assessing and sorting the slate.

Time to Replace a Roof?

Sometimes natural slate is suitable for reuse only if it is cut down to a smaller size and a new hole made to fix the slate to the battens. This takes additional time.

Your roofer might suggest adding an ornamental slate pattern on your roof. Although this takes extra time it might be worth considering. A slate roof can add value to your property and look amazing.

Mixing old and new clay roof tiles can add to the time it takes to replace a roof.

In other cases, if you have clay tiles that are appropriate for reuse, you might want to mix them with the new clay tiles. This is so that the old and new blends in together on the roof. Again, mixing different batches of clay tiles will add to the time it takes to replace a roof. But, the result is the clay roof tiles seamlessly combining to look beautiful.

Before roofing work can start, your roofing contractors will need to erect scaffolding. It is against UK health and safety law for roofing companies to do a re-roof without it.

Additionally, the number of days it will take to roof a house will also hinge on how many roofers work on it. If your roofer turns up with a gang of six they are likely to finish faster than with just two workers on it.

Can a roofer work in the rain?

A roofer will normally aim to finish installing the roof batten and felt before stopping roofing for bad weather. This means covering the roof timbers with a roof membrane or underlay to keep it temporarily watertight.

It is dangerous to continue working on a roof in high winds. In these cases the advice is to stop roofing in average wind speeds over 23mph or gusts over 35mph. Other times a roofer may need to stop work are:

• when it is very cold
• when it is very hot
• there is snow or ice
• during a thunder and lightening storm

A roofer is unlikely to stop work during rain showers. Still, they might sit it out if there is a torrential downpour.

So, when considering how long does it take to replace a roof there are several factors to consider. Nonetheless, an average three bed semi-detached house will probably take around a week or two to complete a re-roof.

Speak to Your Roofer

If you are concerned about how long it takes to replace your roof the first step is to speak to your roofer. Get three quotes for the work and ask each roofing company how long the project will take.

Don’t forget to ask when the roofing contractor can start the work. Roofing contractors get very busy. In fact, sometimes they are booked up for months in advance. Likewise, ask the roofer to check on availability of scaffolding so that won’t hold up work.

If it is critical to you that they start or complete the re-roof on a certain date then make sure you mention that. If you want to be really certain of your dates, get it written into the quote contract.