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Looking for a roofer to install a flat roof on your property? Read our handy guide to find out how much you can expect to pay for flat roofing installation in the UK.
The average cost of flat roofing installation is around £2,500 in the UK. This price varies based on the size of the roof and the type of building it’s going on, the materials involved, and which professionals you choose to complete the installation.
Whether you’re looking for a replacement roof for your garage or for your extension, a flat roof is often an appealing option. AMA Research states that demand for flat roofs is expected to increase over the next few years. Most experts suggest that this is because it’s the least expensive type of roof.
Choosing to hire a professional roofer ensures that your flat roof is properly installed, reducing the chance of problems occurring. But you need to put careful thought into every step of this process. Not only is your installer important, but allowing enough time in your calendar, and funds in your bank account, guarantees that the project doesn’t run away from you.
Keep in mind that all prices featured on this page are based on our data and research, which are national averages, but this isn’t the only method of getting clear costs. A great way to get a personalised quote is to get in touch with a roof installer near you.
| Type of flat roof | Average price paid |
| Flat roof (main building) | £3,000 |
| Extension roof | £1,500 - £2,000 |
| Porch | £500 |
| Double garage | £1,400 - £1,700 |
| Dormer | £1,000 - £1,500 |
As you’ll see above, the type of flat roofing installation you pick has a big impact. Installers will want to know if it’s for your main house, garage, porch, or a dormer. But there’s plenty more factors that impact price. These include:
Roof size
Specification
Materials
Your location
Installer
It’s best to research your various options and ask an expert for guidance. You can also read a summary of each contributing factor below.
You should be ready to pay more if you’re installing or replacing a larger roof. Many professionals charge for their services per metre squared. This is anywhere from £30 to £150 per metre and can even go higher.
The specification that you choose for your flat roof will impact the price. You’ll have the option to specify the thickness and type of both the roofing membrane and the insulation. Certain options will come with a higher price tag, based on their cost and quality.
You can build a flat roof from several different materials – and some of these are pricier than others. For example, the price per metre square for a felt flat roof averages £35 to £75, while for a rubber flat roof this rises to an average of £90. A fibreglass flat roof costs £80 to £110 per metre squared, and a lead bay roof costs £90 to £110 per metre squared.
There’s no doubt that installers charge more in the south-east of England, south-west of England, and in London. Meanwhile, you might get more favourable rates in Wales, Belfast or Yorkshire.
The typical weather conditions in your local area are also relevant. For example, if you live in Inverness where snow is very common, your roof should be designed with this in mind. This involves extra materials and more hours completing the work.
It’s worth noting that every installer prices in a different way. Some organisations will charge by the hour, while others have a daily rate. You often find installers that charge per square metre, too. It’s worth getting a personalised quote from several independent contractors, and then weighing up each price versus the quality you think you’ll receive.
| Material | Average cost per metre square |
| Felt | £55 |
| Rubber | £90 |
| Fibreglass | £100 |
| Lead bay | £100 |
If you’re looking to reduce the cost of flat roofing installation, there are a few things that you can do to keep the price down.
When you’re replacing an existing flat roof, the easiest way to keep your costs down is to recover the existing flat roof. This will speed up installation while reducing labour costs and minimising disruption.
You’ll be given options for the type and thickness of the roofing membrane that you need. Generally speaking, the thicker the membrane, the longer it’ll last. This membrane often comes with a warranty. You can reduce the price of your flat roofing installation by choosing to go without the warranty, or opt for a shorter warranty.
You’ll also need to think about how much insulation you need. You can improve the insulation by opting for two thinner layers of roof insulation instead of one thicker layer. This will improve the R-value performance along with reducing air leakage. This helps you to keep the costs down, as you can get the same performance with less insulation.
Flat roof ‘DIY’ is worth considering if you have the skills, experience and materials. Most experts recommend that you bring in a professional though, as extremely expensive mistakes can be made when you do it yourself. Even in your quest to reduce costs, it’s essential that you don’t cut corners.
Once you’ve installed your flat roof, the journey isn’t over. Next comes the responsibility of maintaining it as the years pass by. Doing this ‘little and often’ means that you shouldn’t need to bring in a professional.
The lifespan of a flat roof will vary depending on the material used. Most have a warranty period of at least 10 years. Even if you’ve only just moved in, the previous owners might’ve installed the roof several decades ago, meaning that maintenance is due soon.
The costs for professionally maintaining your flat roof are outlined below. But before we get there, a few parts of flat roof maintenance you can handle yourself include:
Remove dirt and debris
Brush away fallen leaves
Cut back overhanging branches and nearby trees
Get rid of moss and lichen
Clear drains and gutters
Check for signs of water damage
A simple long-handled wire broom, costing around £20, is sufficient for the simplest jobs. And you may need to spend a similar amount on a moss killing product at the supermarket.
Just make sure that you don’t stand on the roof, as this can damage it. If you encounter any problems more severe than the ones listed above, you should bring in an expert. Once replacing parts of the roof becomes necessary, the prices will rise to a similar level as outlined in the section above.
You usually pay less for a flat roof, compared to a pitched roof. The average price for a flat roof is between £80 – £100 per metre squared, compared to £120 – £275 per metre squared for a pitched roof. A pitched roof installation will be at least several thousands of pounds pricier than a flat roof equivalent.
Materials tend to be more expensive, such as slate, and the complexity of the roof can push the price even higher. If you’re raising the height of your pitched roof, this might require planning permission too.
Speak to a qualified roof expert near you for guidance on which option suits your house best.
It’s extremely useful to understand the pros and cons of getting a flat roof installation. How does this method compare to other types of roofing?
To start with, flat roofing is less expensive than a pitched solution. You won’t need to save up quite as much. Maintenance costs tend to be lower, too.
Flat roofing also provides an excellent opportunity to use more space around your house. The area on top can be turned into a rooftop garden, or a patio area, if you have the right foundations.
Lots of people find the appearance of flat roofs very appealing. It often fits perfectly into the aesthetic of a modern home.
On the other hand, a poorly constructed flat roof is sometimes known to leak. Effective installation and maintenance are thus essential. Seams and joints must be sealed properly, and the roof should be slightly slanted to allow rainwater to fall down. Even then, snow from very cold weather can cause pools of water to gather at times.
Many owners of flat roof state that they need major maintenance or replacement every ten years, although your roof can last a lot longer if you inspect it regularly and stay on top of maintenance. If you’re planning to stay in your home for longer than this, then sorting this out becomes your responsibility. You’ll need to cough up the cash, which often goes into the thousands of pounds.
Unlike a pitched roof, where you can choose from several types of tiles, a flat roof has fewer materials to choose from. This can also make it more challenging to personalise the aesthetic of your roof to match the property you’re living in.
Flat roofing is ideal if you’re on a limited budget. You can maintain a modern aesthetic while still giving your property a fresh lease of life. You’re unlikely to come across too many maintenance problems if you live in an area where snow is rare. This applies to most locations in the UK.
Pitched roofs tend to last much longer than flat roofs, though. Work out how long you’re planning to live in your current property. For example, if you want it to be a portfolio property that you let out to tenants for generations to come, a pitched roof might be more durable.
A flat roof is almost completely level, with a slight angle that allows rainwater to escape into gutters or outlets and avoid pooling. This is especially important for snow build-up. It gives your flat roof the best possible chance of living a long life.
Flat roofs are less common than sloped roofs, which most houses in the UK have. They are popular with homeowners who want to turn their roof space into something functional. It’s also generally less expensive than a sloped roof.
Yes, you can put solar panels on a flat roof. The method of mounting them might be different, and you should speak to an expert about this. But there is nothing stopping you from pursuing solar panels for your home.
You might expose your panels to more sunlight if your roof is slanted, such as with a pitched roof. But this doesn’t mean that using a flat roof is not possible. You might just need to slightly adjust your expectations for the amount of energy it generates.
Some people prefer putting solar panels on a flat roof, because they are less visible from the street, and thus aren’t as much of an eyesore.
The most common materials for a flat roof include felt, rubber, fibreglass, lead bay, and asphalt. There are a few other options too. Speak to an expert for guidance on what would be most suitable for your house.
You should do in-depth research on all the options in your area. Don’t select a contractor simply because they are the least expensive, as this sometimes results in a low quality end finish.
It’s worth checking online reviews to see what past customers have said. If possible, ask to speak to one of them. You should also look for evidence of past flat roofs they’ve installed. If they’ve done it on a property that’s similar to yours, even better.
Some people choose an installer based on their personal rapport. This might involve inviting several experts to your house for an inspection. You’ll have this person working on your house for a while, so it’s preferable if you get on with them!
Ask friends and family if they can recommend any roofing contractors. You could also use online websites to look for flat roof installers near you.
The average rating for Bark Roofers is 4.72, based on 460,790 reviews
5/5
based on 460,790 reviews
