Felt Roof Replacement Cost

Looking into the cost of a felt roof in 2026?

Felt is a popular roofing material because it’s affordable, easy to install and durable. Felt roofs are constructed by applying layers of felt that are held together with bitumen adhesive to make it watertight.

Felt is commonly used on the flat roofs of garages, sheds, porches and bay windows. They have a shorter lifespan than traditional pitched roofs, however, so you may have to think about a felt roof replacement after around 15 years.

To replace the roof, the old felt will need to be removed, the deck below checked for damage and then new felt layers applied to create a weatherproof finish.

A professional felt roof installer will be able to advise you about any other repairs, such as structural work, that may need doing before a new felt roof is installed.

The total cost of a new felt roof can vary depending on the size of the roof, ease of access, the condition of the existing roof and whether structural repair work is needed.

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How Much Is Felt Roof Replacement?

The average cost for a felt roof replacement in the UK is between £50 and £80 per m². Labour costs are typically between £250 and £350 per day.

That means a single garage of 15m² will cost between £1,000 and £1,450. You can expect to pay between £400 and £750 for smaller projects such as a bay window or a porch.

You may have to factor in additional costs such as waste removal (if it isn’t included in the quote) or replacing a damaged timber deck.

Felt Roof Replacement Prices (Including Labour)

Sometimes the removal and disposal of an old felt roof is included in a quote for the installation of a new one. Check this when comparing quotes because skip hire, if included, will raise the price of the quote, but then you don’t need to arrange this yourself.

Supply Costs of Felt Roof Replacement

Although labour accounts for a large part of a felt roof replacement, materials also influence the cost. Roof size makes a difference in the amount you need to spend, along with the quality of the materials and whether the underlying deck needs to be replaced.

The total cost of your felt flat roof will increase if you choose premium felt systems and better-quality materials. They will cost more, but they will last longer with better resistance to the weather.

Typical Felt Roof Supply Costs

The amount of supplies cost for a felt roof will depend on the size of the roof, the specification of the material you have chosen and whether you need to repair or replace decking or structural elements.

Additional Costs of Felt Roof Replacement

There might also be additional costs when you are replacing your felt roof. Sometimes costs such as waste disposal will be included in a quote from one contractor, but not from another.

You might also find that when the work begins, the contractor finds unexpected problems with the structure, and you have to have the damaged joists replaced or rotten timber decking.

These are some of the additional costs you may need to add to your budget:

Labour Costs and Timescales for Felt Roof Replacement

A felt roof replacement is labour-intensive, so labour costs will take up a large part of the quote.

It takes time to remove the existing roofing cover, inspect the structure, carry out repairs, improve insulation or renew damaged sections, and then lay the new felt roofing.

Usually, felt roofing is installed by flat roofing specialists or a roofing contractor. But general builders with roofing experience can also do the job. Roofers generally charge between £240 and £360 a day, which equates to around £30-£45 an hour, although rates might be higher in London and the South-East of England.

Small projects may be completed within a day, whereas larger flat roof work can take longer. For example, a single garage flat roof should take between 1 and 2 days. A double garage may take 3-4 days to complete.

If additional work is needed, then the timescales will be increased. Extra work, like installing new decking, might add another half a day onto the completion time.

Other factors affecting timescales include the weather, how easy it is to access the roof, and the amount of preparation work that needs to be done before the new felt roof is laid.

Cost Factors for Felt Roof Replacement

There are several factors that influence the final cost of installing a felt roof, and that’s mainly why the quote you receive for a felt roof replacement might be different from your neighbour’s.

One of the most important factors is the size of the roof. Smaller roofs use less material and take fewer hours to install, so they tend to be at the cheaper end of the scale.

For example, a small shed will be cheaper for a felt roof replacement than a double garage felt roof because it is a much smaller area.

The size of the roof will also influence the amount of felt used, and the cost will depend on the quality you prefer. Felt costs on average between £50 and £80 per m².

Felt removal also impacts the amount of time a job takes to complete. Older felt roofs often have several layers of felt which have been applied on top of the original covering over the years.

Structural work also creates more work. If, once the felt has been stripped, it becomes obvious that the decking or joists are damaged, then they will have to be repaired or replaced before any felt is laid.

Other costs you might want to consider are the amount you need to spend on edges, upstands, flashings and roof penetrations, plus the labour to install them and make sure they are watertight.

Waste disposal is often included in a quote for felt roofing replacement, but if it isn’t, then this will be an additional cost. Skip hire is the easiest way to dispose of waste.

Low roofs can usually be accessed using a ladder, but if you are working on a high roof, you may need to budget for scaffolding, which can cost between £600 and £1,000 for a week’s hire. A week’s skip hire generally costs between £60 and £400, depending on the size of the skip.

Although it is tempting to use poor-quality materials and leave a damaged structure for the sake of speed and to spend less, it could be a false economy. If the structural problems become so bad that they need to be fixed, it means your new roof covering will have to be removed, creating more expense.

Awkward access, a complex project or bad weather can slow down the installation process, which might add between 1 and 3 days onto the completion time.

Building Regulations for Felt Roof Replacement

Building regulations do apply if you are completely replacing a flat roof.

If you hire a roofer who is a member of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) Competent Person Scheme, they will issue you with a certificate confirming compliance with building control.

If the roofer you use isn’t a member of the NFRC Competent Person scheme, then you will have to notify your local authority’s building control department and pay a fee to have the work inspected and approved.

Types of Felt Roof

When you decide to have a felt roof installed, you will have a choice of felt types:

Traditional Shed Felt

Traditional shed roofing is the most affordable. The lightweight material is fitted to the roof deck using nails and adhesive. It is well-suited to smaller outbuildings like sheds or summer houses. The material is thinner than other felt materials, which can mean it is susceptible to damage from high winds.

Lifespan: 5-10 years

Torch-on Felt

Torch-on-felt, as the name suggests, is installed using a blow torch. It heats the bitumen backing so the material is strongly bonded to the roof’s surface. It creates a strong, durable roofing cover used on garages, porches and extensions.

Lifespan: 15-25 years

High-Performance Felt Systems

High-performance felt systems are made from premium materials. The felt comes in multiple layers with a bitumen backing. It is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, including heavy rainfall. Its quality, however, means it is more expensive than other types of felt roof covering.

This type of felt system is often used on larger buildings and in locations that are subject to high winds or heavy rain.

Lifespan: 20-30 years

Mineral Felt Finishes

A mineral felt layer has protective mineral granules and is often installed as the final layer in a felt flat roof to protect the layers below from UV rays, wind and rain. It can help to extend the roof’s lifespan.

Alternative Types of Flat Roof Covering

If you decide a felt flat roof isn’t for you, there are other alternatives you can choose:

EPDM Rubber Roofing

Rubber roofing is a durable material that’s easy to install, and it can be recycled at the end of its lifespan.

Cost: £80-£100 per m²

Lifespan: 25 to 35 years

Fibreglass Roofing

Fibreglass roofing is a premium material that’s strong and durable with an attractive finish. However, it is more expensive than felt or rubber.

Cost: £120-£180 per m²

Lifespan: 35-50 years

Single-Ply Membranes

Single-ply membranes are made from synthetic materials such as PVC and are often used on home extensions. It is popular for its weatherproofing and durability.

Cost: £80-£140 per m²

Lifespan: 20-30 years

Liquid Roofing Systems

Liquid roofing systems are often used on roofs that have awkward angles or complex shapes. The liquid is waterproof, and it is poured directly onto the surface of the roof and then left to cure.

Cost: £60-£120 per m²

Lifespan: 15-25 years

Hiring Contractors: Checklist for Felt Roof Replacement

Consider the following points before you hire a roofer to install your replacement felt flat roof:

• Are they a member of the NFRC Competent Person Scheme? – This will make it easier for you because you won’t have to pay for a building control inspection.
• Are they willing to handle building control approval if they aren’t members of the Competent Person Scheme?
• Is the removal and disposal of your old roof included in the quote? Check this when you compare quotes because one quote may appear to be cheaper than another, but if it doesn’t include the costs of removal and disposal, this will be an additional cost.
• Do they have public liability Insurance? It’s not a legal requirement, but it is important for any tradesperson working on your property in case of an accident.
• Do they have 2 years or more of experience working with flat roofs? 2 years is the ideal amount of time for a roofer to gain the right amount of experience.
• Do they have any examples of similar work they have done previously or feedback from satisfied customers?
• Is there a warranty or guarantee with the felt roof installation?

Removing an Existing Roof

Removing the old felt is the first job that needs to be done before a new felt roof can be installed. For example, stripping off the shed felt roof:

Step One – Strip off all the old felt

Step Two – Check the deck underneath and the joists for any wear or damage. Decide if repairs or replacements are needed.

Step Three – Make any repairs or replacements if necessary

Step Four – Dispose of old felt

The removal process will be slower if issues such as damaged decking or water damage have to be addressed, or the roof is difficult to access.

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