Replace Eaves Felt Cost

Written by Kim Jackson
Kim Jackson
Writer
I have a bachelor's degree in Journalism, which I studied in both the UK and USA. I've been a freelance writer for over eight years and have experience working with many large brands. My experience in writing is over a wide range of different niches, and I've specifically worked in the DIY and trades section for nearly two years. My favourite thing about freelance writing is working wherever I want as I love travelling and discovering new places and cultures.
16th January, 2026
Edited by Samantha Jones
Samantha Jones
Editor-in-Chief
I have a degree in English & Writing. I have been working as a content developer for three years now and have also been freelance writing for three years. I have been focussing my freelance writing within the home improvement and DIY sector.
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At a Glance
  • The average cost to replace eaves felt is around £450.
  • It typically takes between 4 to 8 hours to complete this job.
In this guide, you'll find the following:
  • A breakdown of how much eaves felt costs to replace for different-sized houses in the UK (supply and labour).
  • How long replacing eaves felt takes, what's involved in this type of job, and expert advice from tradespeople on MyJobQuote.
  • How to find and hire a local roofer in the UK.

Looking for information about replacing eaves felt?

This guide covers everything that you need to know. We cover the cost of replacing eaves felt, with a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for the materials and labour, as well as advice from tradespeople on MyJobQuote.

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closeup of a tradesperson who is replacing eaves felt

Average Cost to Replace Eaves Felt:

Depending on the complexity of the job, it usually takes: 4 – 8 hours

£450

How Much Does It Cost to Replace Eaves Felt?

What are roof eaves, and what do they do?

The term ‘eaves’ refers to the part of the roof that hangs the lowest, and usually projects out over the wall. The purpose of the roof’s eaves is to direct water away from the house so that it doesn’t touch the walls.

Since eaves felt is located on the exposed area of the roof, it tends to deteriorate over time or become brittle, which can result in it not being as effective and needing replacement.

So, how much does it cost to replace eaves felt?

In most cases, the average cost of replacing eaves felt is around £450. This price will depend on the size of your roof, the ease of access, and your location in the UK.

Most professional roofers will charge around £200 to £275 per day for this type of work. Your contractor can complete this type of work within a day.

Eaves Felt Replacement Prices

The table below shows the average eaves felt replacement cost for several property types.

Roof Type Average Cost Duration
Gable roof £350 – £450 4 – 6 hours
A hip roof on a terraced home £350 – £450 4 – 6 hours
A hip roof on a semi-detached home £400 – £500 5 – 7 hours
A hip roof on a detached home £450 – £650 6 – 8 hours
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Supply Cost to Replace Eaves Felt

In most cases, your roofing contractor will provide the materials for you when it comes to replacing your eaves felt. Your contractor will usually reflect this cost in the job's overall cost.

However, in some cases, you may prefer to source the products for yourself if you are planning on completing the work as a DIY project or if you simply want to buy the materials before hiring someone to complete the work for you.

In these cases, you may be curious about the cost of buying eaves felt alone without the cost of labour involved.

Usually, when replacing eaves felt, your contractor will now replace it with a roof felt support tray rather than the old traditional roofing felt. The average cost to buy eaves felt support trays is around £2 to £5 per metre of materials.

As well as the supplies of the materials, you may also need to erect scaffolding to complete the job safely. Again, this is usually included in the job's overall cost if needed.

However, if you want to get a scaffolding tower yourself, you can expect to pay around £65 to £120 to cover the cost of hiring scaffolding.

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Additional Job Costs

The cost of replacing eaves felt depends the type of roof, size of property and ease of access, for example hip roofs are often more expensive than working on a gable roof as they are usually more complicated. Location also makes a difference too, with labour fees in areas such as London being higher than the national average.

When it comes to replacing your eaves felt, there are several other things that you may need to budget for that can be cost-effective to have done at the same time to make use of your existing scaffolding.

Here's a list of the additional costs that may come up with this type of work:

Gutter Cleaning Cost

Cleaning your property's gutters can be tricky without specialist equipment to reach the right heights, which is why it's a great job to bundle in simultaneously.

Cleaning your guttering usually costs around £200, and is a good way of preventing potential water damage to your home from blocked gutters.

Gutter Replacement Cost

If your gutters have seen better days and are past the point of being remedied by getting cleaned, it's a good time to get them replaced. Updating your guttering can help them to work better, and can also improve the kerb appeal of your home.

closeup of a tradespeson is screwing in new metal guttering

On average, to replace guttering costs around £650 in 2026. However, the exact prices you're quoted for this type of work will depend on the size of your house.

uPVC guttering is the most common material used for guttering in the UK, and it comes at the lowest price compared to other materials, at £2 per metre compared to copper, which can be £25 per metre.

Fascia and Soffit Capping Cost

If your roofing specialist is sure your existing fascias are free from water damage and are structurally solid, you can add the cost of capping fascias and soffits to your eaves replacement project.

Typically, you'll be looking at paying around £800 to cap your fascias and soffits, depending on the size of your property. This can help improve the overall appearance of your home in one go, while using your already-standing scaffolding.

Labour Cost to Replace Eaves Felt & Timescales

In most cases, the average cost of replacing eaves felt is around £300 to £500. This price will depend on the size of your roof, the ease of access, and your location in the UK.

Most professional roofers will charge around £200 to £275 per day for this type of work.

Typically, this type of work can usually be completed within a day, and the average timescales for this type of work are around 4 to 8 hours.

The length of time that it takes to complete the job will depend on the size of the eaves and the type of roof you have. The ease of access may also affect the time it takes to complete this job.

Replacing Eaves Felt Timescales

Roof Type Duration
Gable roof 4 – 6 hours
A hip roof on a terraced home 4 – 6 hours
A hip roof on a semi-detached home 5 – 7 hours
A hip roof on a detached home 6 – 8 hours
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How can I identify the source of damp on my bedroom ceiling and determine if repairs are needed?

"It’s likely not damp but condensation, probably caused by perished felt in your eaves.

This allows rainwater to blow back onto the wall plate under your roof tiles or slates, creating a cold spot. When this cold spot meets the warmth of the bedroom, it causes condensation (often seen as black spots)."

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Reasons to Replace Eaves Felt

Roof felt is often one of those elements of roof maintenance that we don't think about until it fails. However, it's worth watching certain problems and regularly checking whether your eaves felt is doing its job correctly.

There are some key things to consider:

Age Deterioration

As with many parts of our home, properly installed roof eaves felt will last for many years, but it will eventually deteriorate and need to be replaced.

Eaves felt serves an important purpose in allowing the run-off of water from the roof, but this means it's exposed to a lot of water.

If it's been a long time since your roofing installation or eaves felt was installed, you should check how it's bearing up.

Water Ingress

If you notice water getting into your home, your eaves felt may have become damaged or a roof leak repair may be required.

It can take a while to understand what's happening, but keep an eye on your fascia boards, soffits, and rafters to see if they show any signs of decay. Those are some of the most likely places first to notice water damage from an eaves felt problem.

Wind Damage

Since roof eaves felt is right at the edge of your roof, it's susceptible to being caught by the wind, and can be potentially damaged in that way.

This can lead to water ingress. If you see any signs that your eaves felt has been affected by high winds, you should take action.

Ventilation Issues

Maintaining effective ventilation throughout your home is the best way to avoid damp and condensation.

Older forms of eaves felt can restrict airflow (especially if they're beginning to decay), however, in modern installations a breathable membrane is also included alongside the eaves.

If you find signs of condensation in your loft, your roof eaves felt may be to blame.

Poor Installation

Particularly if you've recently purchased a property, you might discover that the eaves protection system was poorly installed in the first place.

In such cases, the easiest thing to do is replace the eaves felt and effectively start afresh with a new breathable membrane.

Part of a Wider Upgrade

Replacing eaves felt is common when installing a new roof, or replacing roof tiles.

Not only is it economical to do this at the same time, but it also allows you to bring your roof felt up to modern standards and ensure it's doing its job properly.

example of a steep dark roof

What's Involved in Replacing Eaves Felt?

In most cases, although replacing eaves felt can potentially be carried out as a DIY project with the right equipment, many homeowners prefer to leave this type of work to the professionals. A professional roofer will be able to advise on the best type of eaves felt for your roof, and they will have the skills and knowledge needed to complete the job effectively and safely.

It's important to keep in mind that the eaves felt will help protect your home from any leaks and damp issues, as such it's recommended to have it replaced by an experienced local roofer. With the help of MyJobQuote you can find suitable tradesmen in your area and request a quote with no obligation to go ahead with the work.

If you are planning on replacing the eaves felt on your roof, you may also be curious about the process involved.

Below is a breakdown of the steps involved:

Before the Job Starts

  • Erecting Scaffolding — The contractor will set up ladders or scaffolding to safely reach the roof and work at height.
  • Removing Tiles — Sufficient roof tiles are then removed and set aside to provide easy access to the eaves.

During the Job

  • Removing Old Felt — The defective eaves felt is cut out and removed.
  • Installing New Felt — A modern plastic eaves felt tray is fitted into place and secured with nails, ensuring it overhangs into the guttering. If all roof felt eaves are to be replaced, this process is repeated across the entire roof, whereas on smaller repairs, only the affected area is actioned.
  • Re-laying Tiles — The roof tiles that were set aside are returned to their original positions, and then nailed into place.

After the Job

  • Dismantling Scaffolding — After any final checks, any ladders and scaffolding are safely taken down.
  • Waste Removal — Any debris or waste generated during the job is cleared away and disposed of.

If eave trays have been fitted by nailing them on top of the felt will this cause any problems? If so, can these issues be fixed without incurring massive costs?

"Eave trays should be fitted under the felt as they are designed to support the felt ends, which deteriorate over time. Without proper support, the felt may sag inside the soffit and eventually cause leaks."
tradesperson is unrolling roofing felt on a job

Building Regulations & Planning Permission For Eaves Felt Replacement

When it comes to replacing the roofing felt on your eaves, you won’t usually need to worry about planning permission or building regulations. However, if your home is a listed building or if you reside in a conservation area, then you may need to apply for planning permission before you can complete any work on your roof.

If you are unsure whether this applies to you, it is always best to check with your local authority before starting the work, just to be sure.

Building Regulations may also apply if more than 25% of the roof covering is repaired or replaced within a 12-month period, and if this is the case the roof may also need to be upgraded to meet energy efficiency standards.

Types of Eaves Felt

Eaves felt is the roofing felt that overlaps the roof and into the guttering system. In the past, many homes used traditional roofing felt at the eaves level. However, modern homes use a more rigid protection system.

Modern rigid eaves felt is usually used in conjunction with a new roofline system. This new roofline system is most commonly made from plastic or uPVC. This means that it will never rot, and it is a brilliant replacement for the old, worn-out bitumen-based felts.

There are many advantages of the new modern eaves felt systems:

  • Higher levels of protection
  • It will never rot
  • It lasts for decades
  • You won’t need to replace it as often
  • Can potentially last just as long as the roof
  • Water is directed straight into the guttering system

Overview of Felt Types

Type of Felt Best For Lifespan
Bitumen felt Traditional or flat roof 10 - 20 years
Breathable membrane Modern pitched roof 30 - 50 years
Torch-on felt Flat roof 20 - 30 years
Self-adhesive felt Flat roof or DIY 10 - 15 years
Synthetic underlay Budget roofing systems 20 - 30 years
Green roof membrane Green roofs 25 - 40 years
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tradesperson standing on a ladder inspecting roofing

Checklist: Hiring a Tradesman to Replace Roof Eaves Felt

Once you’ve decided that you need to have some work done on your roof eaves felt, it’s time to find the right contractor for the job. But, how exactly do you find a good contractor?

Below is a list of questions that you should consider when finding the right roofing specialist for the job:

  • Have you received more than one quote? As with any tradesman’s job, it is recommended you request at least three quotes. You can do this with the help of MyJobQuote in order to ensure you are getting a good deal.
  • Does the contractor have any related qualifications? This could be an NVQ related to roofing, industry accreditations, or direct training on replacing roof eaves felt.
  • How much experience does the contractor have? Can they provide any testimonials or evidence of previous work to confirm how long they have been replacing roof eaves felt?
  • Do they have any online reviews? Check their MyJobQuote profile and other reputable sources for feedback on their work. Also ask friends and family for recommendations.
  • What equipment will the contractor be using? Asking about the equipment, materials, and process they are planning to use to complete the job can help indicate their knowledge of what's required.
  • Do they have any public liability insurance? Although not an official or legal requirement, you should still look for contractors with insurance covering property damage and personal injury.
  • Does their work come with a guarantee? By receiving a breakdown of the contractor’s guarantee, you know how long the work is guaranteed for after completion and what happens in the event of any issues.
  • How long will the project take to complete? This should be covered in the quote, along with a breakdown of what the work involves and an understanding of any plan in the event of a delay.

How can I safely tell if my eaves felt needs to be replaced without getting onto the roof?

"Your roofing felt should hang over into the guttering. You don't need to get on the roof—just check the gutter. Look for signs of deterioration or daylight between the fascia and the gutter."

FAQs

When Should You Replace Eaves Felt?

You should consider replacing your roof eaves felt if you notice any significant deterioration. Likewise, if there are any visible leaks, or water marks and signs of damp along the wall near the roof or in your loft space.

What Is Roofing Felt?

Roofing felt is also sometimes known as roofing underlay. This layer underneath the tiles acts as a protective barrier for your home against rainwater. It keeps the roof watertight and protects your home from leaks.

What Are Roof Eaves?

The eaves on your roof serve as a practical and decorative function on your home. They sit at the roof's edge and overhang the side to protect your walls from rainwater. Parts of the eave include the fascia, which is the vertical facing board and the soffit, which is the underside of the eaves.

Can Damaged Eaves Felt Affect My Insurance?

Yes, damaged or deteriorated eaves felt can potentially impact on your home insurance. Most policies require that you maintain your property in good condition, and if water leaks or structural damage occur because the eaves felt wasn’t replaced, any related claim could potentially be refused.

Is There an Alternative to Replacing Eaves Felt?

In some cases, minor damage such as a small tear or gaps can sometimes be patched with specialized roofing tape or sealant to prevent leaks. However, for anything more serious, having it replaced is usually the safest and most effective solution

What Is an Eaves Support Tray?

An eaves support tray is usually made from uPVC and is a cost-effective and fast solution to help protect the eaves. They may be known as an eaves tray, eaves protection felt, or eaves protector. Their purpose is to help protect the eaves in cases where there is damage to the original felt or underlay. Many new build homes now feature eaves support trays, and they can also be used when repairing old eaves roof felt.
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