A full roof replacement is a significant investment. We survey thoroughly, advise on materials suited to your property, and give you a clear quote with a 10-year workmanship guarantee.
A full roof replacement in Reading costs £4,000-£15,000 depending on tile type, roof size and access. We strip to the deck, replace rotten timber, fit BS 5534 underlay and dry-fix ridges, with a 10-year guarantee. Free survey and written quote. Call 0118 327 2383.
When repairs are no longer cost-effective, a full re-roof delivers a weathertight roof with a new guarantee. We work on all property types across Reading — Victorian terraces, 1930s semis, post-war estates and modern homes.
A complete roof replacement involves stripping the existing tile covering, inspecting and replacing any failing batten or rafter timber, fitting new breathable membrane underlay, re-battening to current specification, and laying new tiles. Ridges, hips and verges are finished with dry-fix systems for longevity. Lead work is relined where required.
Material choice depends on your property. For 1930s semis in Tilehurst and Caversham Road, plain concrete tiles in a profile matching the original are typically the right call — affordable, appropriate and consistent with the street. For Victorian and Edwardian properties, Welsh slate or reclaimed clay is often required, particularly in areas where planning guidance favours like-for-like replacement.
We don't re-roof unnecessarily. Before recommending replacement we assess whether targeted repairs can extend the roof's serviceable life by 10 or more years. If the underlying structure is sound and fewer than 20–25% of tiles are failing, we'll normally recommend a phased repair approach instead.
“Full re-roof on our 1960s semi in Southcote — large concrete tiles had been slipping for years. They surveyed everything, explained the nail sickness clearly, and gave us a detailed written quote. The job was completed in four days and the finish is excellent.”
“Had the slate roof replaced on our Victorian terrace in Katesgrove. They sourced Welsh slate to match the adjacent roofs and the result is exactly right. More expensive than concrete tile but absolutely the correct choice for the property.”
“Excellent experience from survey to handover. The quote was itemised so I could see exactly what I was paying for. They finished on time, cleared everything away and the new roof looks superb.”
Full re-roofs in Reading follow the population of its housing stock. The largest category is post-war concrete interlocking tile replacement across Whitley, Southcote, Woodley, Earley and the surrounding estate suburbs — properties where 50-to-60-year-old nail-sick tile and degraded felt underlay have reached the point where comprehensive replacement is more cost-effective than continued patching. The second category is Victorian and Edwardian clay tile re-roofs in Newtown, Katesgrove and Caversham — less frequent but higher-value work requiring period material specification.
The practical experience of a Reading re-roof is that the deck often holds surprises. Rafter ends at the eaves — where most moisture penetration occurs — frequently show wet rot on properties where guttering has been overflowing or leaking for several seasons. We photograph every rafter end we expose and document any rot replacement in the written progress record. Replacing rotten timber is charged separately from the re-roof price, on an actuals basis, with photographic evidence of what was replaced.
Programme management matters on a Reading re-roof because the British weather does not cooperate reliably. We provide a realistic programme at the quotation stage — typically 3 to 5 days for a standard 3-bed semi — and communicate daily on progress and any weather delays. We do not leave properties with open deck sections overnight except when absolutely unavoidable, and where a delay is unavoidable we ensure the property is weathertight before we leave.
A new roof in Reading typically costs £5,500-£9,000 for a semi on concrete tile, more for clay or larger properties. See our full Reading new roof cost guide for an itemised breakdown and worked examples.
A re-roof or loft conversion is the ideal time to add rooflights. We fit roof windows and skylights.
A standard 3-bed semi in Reading typically costs £5,500–£9,000 for a full re-roof including scaffolding, strip, new tiles and dry-fix ridges. Larger detached properties range from £9,000–£15,000+. Slate or clay tile specifications add cost. We provide free surveys and itemised quotes.
A typical 3-bed semi takes 3–5 days. Larger properties with more complex roof geometry — hips, valleys, dormers — typically take 5–8 days. We'll give you a realistic programme at the quote stage and keep you updated throughout.
In most cases, no — roof replacement using similar materials is permitted development. However, if your property is in a conservation area (parts of Caversham village and central Reading are designated) or is listed, consent may be required for material changes. We'll flag this during survey.
For 1930s and post-war properties: plain concrete tile (Marley Cedral or equivalent) for cost-effectiveness and authenticity. For Victorian and Edwardian: Welsh slate or reclaimed clay plain tile. For exposed positions on Tilehurst ridge: fibre cement or heavyweight clay tiles for wind resistance. We'll advise specifically at survey.
Very little is needed from you. Ensure the scaffolding team can access the perimeter — move cars and garden furniture near the house. Inside, items in the loft can vibrate during stripping so it is worth securing anything delicate. We advise on any specific requirements when we survey the property.
Old concrete tiles go to licensed waste facilities. Reclaimed clay tiles and natural slate are offered to reclamation yards where possible. Lead from old flashings is recycled. We handle all waste disposal as part of the job — there is nothing for you to arrange.
Yes — a re-roof is the best opportunity to upgrade loft insulation and install breathable membrane underlay that improves thermal performance. We can fit rigid insulation above the rafters on properties where loft headroom is limited. We advise on Part L compliance as part of the specification.
Based in Reading, we serve the whole borough and surrounding Berkshire towns. Call 0118 327 2383 to confirm coverage.
A full re-roof on a Reading property typically takes three to five days from scaffold erection to completion for a standard three-bedroom semi-detached. We begin by erecting scaffold and covering the property with a temporary weathering sheet before any tiles are stripped. This means the building interior is protected regardless of weather during the stripping phase.
Stripping proceeds methodically from ridge to eaves. All old tiles, mortar and battens are cleared and loaded directly into a skip. The deck is then fully inspected — we check every rafter end for rot, the wall plate condition, and the condition of any existing insulation. Any rotten timber is replaced at this stage, not concealed under new material. We photograph the deck before any new material goes on.
New BS 5534-compliant underlay is fixed to the deck, new treated battens are nailed at the correct gauge for the new tile system, and tiling proceeds from eave to ridge. Ridge and hip tiles are fixed using dry-fix mechanical fixings on all re-roofs — we do not install new mortar-bedded ridges on replacement work. The result is a system that requires no maintenance for the life of the roof.
The tile choice on a Reading re-roof is driven by the property's era, planning status, and pitch. Conservation area properties in Newtown, central Caversham and parts of Katesgrove require clay plain tile or natural slate — concrete tile is not accepted. For properties outside conservation areas on pitches above 22.5 degrees, both clay and concrete are structurally appropriate and the decision is driven by budget, character, and desired lifespan.
Underlays specified to current BS 5534 standards are required for all re-roofs. High-performance breathable membranes are now standard on all our re-roofs — they outperform traditional felt in both condensation management and longevity, and they are required to qualify for full manufacturer tile guarantees. We do not specify traditional bituminous felt on new work.
No call-out fees. No obligation. A straight answer from a local Reading roofer.
0118 327 2383✉ Email Us