Slate roof replacement costs explained

The age of the property also plays a role in the cost. In older Scottish homes, the sarking boards—the solid timber deck that the slates are nailed to—can often hide decay that only becomes visible once the old slates are stripped away. If a large percentage of these boards need replacing, it adds both material costs and labour time to the project. We always include a provisional sum or a clear explanation of how we handle timber repairs in our quotes, so there are no surprises midway through the job.

No two roofs are identical. A simple mid-terrace roof with one chimney and easy access will cost significantly less than a large detached home with multiple valleys, dormer windows and complex lead work. The total cost is a combination of materials, labour, access and the safe disposal of the old roof covering.

Understanding these variables is the first step in comparing quotes and making an informed decision about your property. We break down the main cost drivers below, from the type of slate you choose to the complexity of the roof’s geometry.

The type of slate you select is one of the biggest variables in a re-slating quote. As explained in our natural slate types guide, Welsh slate is the premium option with a price to match its longevity. Spanish slate offers a more cost-effective alternative while still providing the benefits of natural stone.

Beyond the slates themselves, the quality of the underlying materials matters. We use high-performance breathable membranes, treated timber battens and stainless steel or copper nails. While cheaper alternatives exist, they often lead to premature failure and higher costs in the long run.

It goes without saying that a larger roof requires more materials and more time to install, but complexity is often a bigger factor than pure scale. A roof with many 'details'—such as valleys where two slopes meet, hips, dormers or rooflights—requires significantly more skilled labour and more lead work.

Every time a row of slates meets an obstruction or a change in angle, each slate must be carefully cut and fitted. This precision work takes time and specialized skills, which is reflected in the labour component of your quote.

Logistics and site setup are often underestimated in their impact on the final figure. If a property is located on a busy main road in Edinburgh or has limited space for a skip, the costs associated with traffic management and waste removal can increase. Similarly, the height of the building dictates the type of scaffolding required; a four-storey tenement requires a far more complex structure than a standard two-storey house, adding significantly to the 'preliminaries' section of your roofing quote.

Before a single slate can be removed, the roof must be made safe to work on. The cost of scaffolding depends on the height of the building, the number of sides that need to be accessed and any obstacles on the ground like conservatories or narrow alleys. A three-storey tenement in Edinburgh will have very different access requirements than a bungalow in a Fife village.

We include all necessary scaffolding and safety equipment in our quotes, ensuring the project complies with health and safety regulations while protecting both our team and your property during the work.

Lead is the standard for high-quality roofing details because it is incredibly malleable and durable. When we re-slate a roof, we look at every valley, every chimney flashing and every secret gutter. If the lead is thinning or shows signs of splitting, replacing it then is far cheaper than building scaffolding again three years later to fix a single leak. Our roofing costs page gives a wider view of how these project components are priced.

A new slate roof is only as good as its junctions. Re-slating is the best time to address aging lead work in valleys, around chimneys and at wall abutments. If your chimney needs repointing or if the lead flashings are thin and split, replacing them at the same time as the slates is far more cost-effective than doing it later.

Our slate roof repairs page details many of the common issues that lead work can develop. Including high-quality lead replacements in your re-slating project ensures the entire roof system is renewed at once, providing decades of protection.

Removing and disposing of several tonnes of old slate, timber and felt is a major part of the job. This involves skip hire and transport to a licensed waste facility. We also factor in the protection of your garden and driveway, ensuring the site is kept tidy and that all debris is cleared away once the project is complete.

When you receive a quote for re-slating, ensure it includes all of these 'hidden' costs so you aren't surprised by extras once the work has started.