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myCost of Repairing Roof Joists
At a Glance
- The average cost to repair roof joists is around £575.
- Most roof joist repair jobs take approximately 3 to 5 days to complete.
- A full roof joist repair pricing breakdown, including labour and material costs.
- How long the job takes, what's typically involved, and the potential complications that can increase your roof leak repair cost.
- How to find and hire a roofing specialist using MyJobQuote.
Want to find out the average roof joist repair cost?
On average, repairs to roofing joists cost around £575.
To give you a better picture of total costs, this guide will cover the average UK cost of repairing and replacing damaged roof joists, including material costs and labour fees.
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£575
Table of Contents
How Much to Repair a Roof Joist?
How much does it cost to repair a roof joist?
- In the UK, the average cost of repairing roof joists of a 3-bedroom home starts around £350 to £600 per beam.
- The typical full project cost of roof joist repair is around £575, depending on the severity of the issue.
What are roofing joists?
Roof joists are structural beams typically made from wood. The beams usually run horizontally, connecting opposing walls and supporting the roof above.
To withstand the weight of the roof, timbers, and coverings, it is essential to maintain a good standard of structure. Over time, it's not uncommon for roof joists to become weathered and rotten, requiring repairs or replacement.
In most cases, you would require the assistance of a roofing specialist or professional carpenter to either repair damaged joists or completely renew the entire roof.
Is it ok to drill through joists to put wiring through? If so, where should I drill to avoid weakening them?
"You can drill through the joist for wiring the house with power, you can drill in the middle to avoid any screw getting into the wire."
Roof Joist Prices
Let's take a closer look at roof repair prices, from single joists to full roof replacement costs.
| Job Description | Material Cost |
|---|---|
| Repairing a Wooden Roof Joist | £110 - £275 |
| Repairing a Joist with Metal | £270 - £440 |
| Replacing Entire Roof | £2,200 - £3,300 |
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Roof Joist Labour Costs
Roofing specialists will typically charge between £165 to £220 per day, depending on your location in the UK.
You can expect labour costs to be higher if you're based in London or the surrounding south-east areas due to the higher cost of living.
| Job Description | Labour Cost |
|---|---|
| Repairing a Wooden Roof Joist | £165 - £440 |
| Repairing a Joist with Metal | £165 - £440 |
| Replacing Entire Roof | £495 - £1,100 |
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How Long Does Roof Joist Repair Take?
Repairing a roof joist takes between 1 and 2 days.
This timeline can be impacted by the following factors:
- If the joist repairs are happening in hard-to-access areas, such as a loft conversion.
- If multiple roof joists are damaged, the job's complexity increases and timelines extend.
- If a severe leak is found during the works, requiring additional roof repairs.
| Job Description | Duration |
|---|---|
| Repairing a Wooden Roof Joist | 1 - 2 Days |
| Repairing a Joist with Metal | 1 - 2 Days |
| Replacing Entire Roof | 3 - 5 Days |
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What Can Cause Roof Joist Failure?
The most significant threat to roof joists is water.
If your property suffers from penetrating damp or a leak, your wooden roof joists will inevitably become rotten.
It's essential to get areas that could potentially suffer from water damage inspected by a structural professional. If your property has damaged roof joists, this can lead to severe problems that require immediate attention.
What can happen if I don't fix the rotten roof joists?
Rotten roof joists can develop into sagging roofs and ceilings, overloaded areas, and rotting of the adjoining structure.
But, before you attempt making any repairs, you should ensure you've identified the source of the problem correctly. Carrying out improper treatment of rotten or damaged roof joists can be costly and lead to future complications in your property.
Your professional roofer or structural engineer will most likely offer one of three options:
- Repairing the beam with timber resin materials.
- Repairing using specialist repair plates.
- The removal and replacement of the entire joist and truss (for extensive water damage).
Things to Consider
There are many things you should consider before attempting to replace or repair a roof joist in your home.
Firstly, after identifying the problem, you should consider eliminating the source of the damage before carrying out any treatment to the beams themselves.
This way, you will eradicate any chances of future destruction and better understand how to maintain the quality of your roof. You will also need to consider the treatment method you plan to carry out.
As we mentioned earlier, there are three main procedures of replacing or repairing damaged roof joists, and your professional tradesperson will be able to advise you on the best solution for your problem.
There will likely be a lot of noise pollution during the restoration of your roof joists. As with any other major home improvement project, the work can often cause short-term disruption to your day-to-day life.
As with any other service, various contractors will quote different prices for the job, so in order to get the best price, be sure to gain multiple opinions.
By gaining professional advice, you reduce the chances of paying unnecessary costs and running into surprise complications. More often than not, damages to roof joists rarely stop at the signs of surface damage.
You may run into a collection of nasty surprises, so always consider setting money aside to cover unexpected costs.
Can I Repair My Roof Joists Myself?
Replacing or repairing a damaged roof joist is a complicated procedure that requires precision, and isn't something to DIY.
Rotten roof joists are a severe problem and commonly lead to underlying issues and damage to opposing structures.
While you may see the damaged or rotted wood visibly, there will also likely be damage you cannot see. To repair a roof joist successfully, the work must be carried out correctly using proper techniques and suitable materials.
Any accidents can not only be dangerous, but can also lead to costly repairs and damages to your property, so you shouldn't attempt the installation or repair unless you're a qualified roofing professional.
What's Involved in Repairing Roof Joists?
Below is a brief step-by-step guide on how a professional roofer repairs a wooden roof joist using timber materials.
- The roofer will start by removing any visible rotten wood with a chisel. The wood should come away quite easily, without much force.
- They'll then determine the extent and area they intend to repair or replace. If only part of the joist is damaged, the roofer will just measure the space where the rotten wood has been removed to fill the gap.
- Next, the new timber is cut to the desired size and screwed into place. When replacing an entire joist, the roofer may screw the wood into the opposing top and bottom joists.
- Once the timber is fitted, the timber is sealed with a specially designed waterproof sealant to prevent future damage, and reduce the risk of having to repair your roof again.
- Lastly, the roofer will then inspect your property's loft and ceiling for signs of further damage, treating any areas where water may be accessing the property.
Repairing Roof Joists Checklist
- Thoroughly inspect your roof for signs of damage. Check for sagging and darker areas in the property’s exterior.
- Identify the extent of the damage and source, for example, water damage due to exposure.
- Treat the source of the problem to diminish any future complications with the structure of your roof.
- Contact multiple tradespeople for advice, requesting a call out if possible.
- Use MyJobQuote to compare multiple quotes from roofing professionals to source the best price possible.
- Remember to compare the best methods and materials available on the market to find the most cost-effective solution.
- Ask for information and advice on properly maintaining and caring for your new roof joists.
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FAQs
How long does a roof replacement take?
On average, an entire roof replacement on a regular-sized family home should take no longer than 3 to 5 days to complete. This timeframe will vary depending on the scale of your project.
Do I have to be home during a roof replacement?
No, you don't have to be home while the contractors repair your roof joists.
Is repairing roof joists complicated?
This answer will depend on the level of damage your roof has endured and the extent of the repair needed. In some cases, a simple patch-up using quality materials will be sufficient. In other cases, a full roof restoration may be necessary.
What are the warning signs of a damaged roof?
You may find that your roof is visibly sagging or showing signs of dark, dirty areas. This can sometimes indicate that water has entered the structure and caused stress on the supporting joists. You might also notice several exposed areas where tiles may be missing.
Do I need planning permission to repair or replace my roof joists?
No, you do not usually require building regulations or planning permission to repair or replace your roof. You may, however, request planning permission for alterations to the design and shape of your roof. Contact your local authorities for more information.
What causes damage to roof joists?
The common culprit for roof damage is generally water. However, joists may fail as a result of excessive weight on the roof or damage from fallen trees and other objects.
What is the most reliable repair for a roof joist?
While wooden beams have been used to repair and replace roof joists for decades, the most reliable material to use would be metal plates. Your expert tradesperson will talk you through the available methods of repair for your property.
