Replace Roof Valley Cost

Last updated 9th September 2022 - Reading time: 16 mins

In this guide, we're going to explore everything you need to know about roof valley replacement costs, the different types of replacement methods available and all the costs associated with these types of jobs.

roof valley

Average Cost of Replacing a Roof Valley:

Depending on the complexity of the job, it usually takes: 5-8 hours

£300

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Roof Valley?

Are you looking for information about replacing a roof valley? In this guide, we will go over everything you need to know about replacing a roof valley, including the overall costs, the labour costs, the supply costs, and any additional costs.

We will also look at some additional information, such as what's involved with replacing a roof valley, the rules and regulations surrounding this type of work, and some things to look out for when hiring the right contractors for the job.

So if you're looking to get your roof valley replaced, read on the find out everything you need to know.

Replacing a roof valley prices will vary depending on the extent of the job. Roof valley repointing involves replacing the cement only and re-using the existing valley flashing.

For this type of work, you can expect to pay around £300-£375. If you are looking for a complete replacement, you can expect to pay an additional £100-£150.

The prices above assume a typical replacement with easy access to the roof tiles, valley, and roof. Most roofers will work in pairs for safety reasons.

The average cost to hire roofers is around £200-£300 per day for both roofers. On average, you can expect it to take around 4-6 hours to repair a roof valley and around 6-8 hours to completely replace the roof valley.

The prices for this work can vary depending on several factors. Some of these factors include the type of roof valley on your home, your location in the UK, the size of your roof valley, and the ease of access.

If your contractor struggles to access the roof easily, then they may need to erect scaffolding so that they can complete the job properly and safely. The contractor will add the cost of scaffolding to your overall quote for the job.

Roof Valley Replacement Prices

Below is a table showing the average roof valley replacement cost and roof valley repair cost that you may expect for various jobs.

JOB/DESCRIPTION AVERAGE COST
Small repair on lead-lined valley £75-£200
Full replacement on lead-lined valley £500-£600
Small repair on preformed valley £80-£150
Full replacement on preformed valley £450-£550
Small repair on GRP valley £50-£100
Full replacement on GRP valley £350-£450
Small repair on preformed mortar-free valley £75-£150
Full replacement on preformed mortar-free valley £450-£550
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Supply Only Costs

When you hire a contractor to take care of a roof valley replacement for you, they will usually incorporate all of the costs into your quote, including the cost of labour and materials.

roof valley replacement

However, if you're interested in purchasing the materials yourself, you can then hire a contractor separately. In these cases, you may be wondering how much it costs for the supplies alone.

The price you will pay for the materials will depend on the size of your roof or the number of valleys you need.

Valleys aren't supplied in very long lengths. Instead, you will purchase these in chunks that are three metres in length. This allows you to purchase as many as you need to suit your home.

You can expect to pay around £10-£20 for every three metres of materials for GRP roof valleys. This will depend on the type of materials, shape, and colour you choose. They come in various styles and varieties, so you should be able to find one that suits your roof.

Lead lined valleys tend to cost more and are more difficult to purchase from retailers. If you need this type of valley, you should speak to a roofing expert for some advice on purchasing the supplies.

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Additional Costs

When it comes to replacing your roof valley, you may want to get some additional jobs done simultaneously.

Below, we will take a look at the additional things that you may need to budget for with this type of work.

Full Roof Replacement

Instead of replacing your roof valley, you may decide that you would prefer to replace the entire roof.

full roof replacement

If that is the case, the replacement cost will depend on the size of the roof, the materials used, and your location in the UK.

On average, you can expect to pay around £2000-£3500 for a gable roof, around £1250-£7250 for a hip roof, around £1500-£3000 for a flat roof, around £15,000-£45,000 for a mansard roof, and around £850-£2000 for a lean-to roof.

Skylights Installation

While you have contractors working on the roof, it may also be a good time to install some skylights if this is something that you've been considering.

These are part of the roof and help improve lighting inside the home. They are especially useful in homes that have a loft conversion. The average cost for skylights is around £950-£2400.

Loft Conversion

A loft conversion is a great way to add some extra space to your home. Similarly, while you’re making changes to the roof, you may also want to consider making some further changes so that you can add a loft conversion.

Loft conversions are quite large jobs and take a long time to complete. The average cost for this type of work is around £15,000-£30,000.

House Rendering

Suppose you are interested in improving the appearance of your home and adding to the property's kerb appeal. In that case, you may be interested in adding render to the exterior of your home.

house rendering

Rendering your home can be quite expensive, depending on the materials used. However, it gives your home a gorgeous, fresh look. The average cost to render a typical 3-bedroom house is around £3800-£5200.

Labour Costs and Timescales

If you are interested in purchasing your materials separately and then hiring contractors to complete the work for you, you may be interested in learning more about the labour costs for this work.

These are the prices for the labour side of the work alone without the cost of the materials used.

Most roofers will work in pairs for safety reasons. The average cost to hire roofers is around £200-£300 per day for both roofers. On average, you can expect it to take around 4-6 hours to repair a roof valley and around 6-8 hours to completely replace the roof valley.

The prices for this work can vary depending on several factors. Some of these factors include the type of roof valley on your home, your location in the UK, the size of your roof valley, and the ease of access.

If your contractor struggles to access the roof easily, then they may need to erect scaffolding so that they can complete the job properly and safely. The contractors will add the cost of scaffolding to your overall quote for the job.

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Cost Factors of Replacing a Roof Valley

As with any other work on the house, several things can affect the overall cost of replacing a roof valley. Below is a list of the main things that may affect the overall cost of this job.

roof valley

Type of Roof Valley

The type of roof valley that you have on your roof will affect the overall cost of the job. Some roof valleys are cheaper and easier to replace, so the cost will work out less.

It's always best to speak to your contractor to determine how long your job will take and the costs involved.

Size of the Roof Valley

The size of the roof valley will also affect the overall cost of the job. A larger roof valley will require more materials and will also take longer to complete.

With this in mind, the larger the roof valley, the more you can expect to pay in both labour costs and the cost of the materials.

Ease of Access

The ease of access to the roof can affect the overall cost considerably. If the roof is difficult to access, this may make the job more complicated and will result in the job taking much longer.

If the roof is particularly difficult to access, the contractors may need to erect scaffolding to complete the job properly and safely.

The cost for scaffolding will vary depending on how much is needed and the length of time that it is needed. Your contractors will incorporate the cost of scaffolding in the overall price for the job.

Location of Property

The location of your property is also a major factor in the price that you can expect to pay for this work. Those based in the London area will pay more for the work than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.

This is because the cost of labour is generally a lot more in London and the surrounding areas when compared to other parts of the UK.

What's Involved in Replacing a Roof Valley?

If your roof valley is leaking, you will usually need to have a partial or full replacement of the roof valley.

replacing roof valley

This can include replacing your roof tiles, replacing the flashing, replacing the membrane, or replacing all three.

Below is an overview of what is involved in replacing a roof valley:

  • A full inspection is performed on the roof to determine the exact cause of the leaking roof valley. This allows the contractors to understand exactly what needs to be replaced.
  • Lift as many tiles as needed around the affected area so that the damaged flashing can be safely removed and then replaced.
  • Install the new layer of flashing. Depending on the materials used and your needs, this will be with either wet-fixing or dry-fixing.
  • If the valley flashing is made up of lead, this job can only be completed by a professional for safety reasons. This is because lead is toxic, and so the contractor will need a specific set of skills and knowledge to install lead flashing safely.
  • Once the new flashing is in place, the fixings should be given time to completely dry.
  • Once the fixings are fully dry, the tiles can then be fitted carefully back in place. At this point, any broken or damaged tiles will be removed and replaced.

Can I Replace a Roof Valley Myself?

It is not recommended that you do any work on your roof unless you have the appropriate skills, qualifications, experience, and equipment needed to complete the job properly and safely.

Working on an old roof is dangerous and can cause extensive damage to the roof. This means that a DIY job could end up costing a lot more than simply hiring professionals to do the work in the first place.

Roofing work is difficult and tiresome. Plus, the weather in the UK can make it very uncomfortable and also quite dangerous.

If you have the skills and experience needed to complete a DIY job, you also need to be fit enough to work at heights. This often involves carrying some heavy tools and materials.

Roofing is not a job fit for everyone. However, if you do feel comfortable working at heights and you own the correct tools and safety equipment needed, an avid DIY could complete the job with some determination.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission For a Roof Valley Replacement

You won't usually need to worry about building regulations or planning permission for a roof valley repair.

roof valley tradesman

This applies to the majority of homes. However, if your home is a listed building or is located in a conservation area, you may need to get planning permission or follow certain rules to make changes.

Your contractor should have the skills and knowledge needed to understand whether you need planning permission or need to follow any building regulations rules for your particular roof valley repair or replacement.

If you are concerned or would like further advice, you can get this information from your local authority.

Types of Roof Valley Tiles

There are three main types of roof valleys. Below is a list of these three types of roof valleys and the pros and cons of each type.

Lead Lined Roof Valley

A lead-lined roof valley is one that has a lead lining inside to help it expel water from the roof. This stops any standing water from damaging the roof and causing any leaks.

One of the biggest issues with lead-lined roof valleys is that it is a ferrous metal. When this is exposed to sunlight, it can eventually crack, and this can lead to a breach in the roof valley.

One of the great things about lead roof valleys, however, is that lead can be easily repaired and treated if a crack does appear. However, this is only a temporary fix. Over time, the lead will crack further and will need to be completely replaced.

It’s unlikely that any damage will occur for many years after a new lead lined valley has been installed.

PROS

✔ Very good at expelling water

✔ Prevents leaks

✔ Easy to repair

CONS

✖ Can crack eventually in sunlight

✖ It May need to be replaced over time

✖ Lead is toxic, so it needs to be installed and repaired by professionals

Preformed GRP Roof Valley

GRP stands for Glass-Reinforced Plastic. This is seen as a great alternative to lead-lined roof valleys. GRP valleys are much quicker to install than other roof valleys and are generally cheaper to buy.

Preformed GRP Roof Valley

They are also extremely lightweight, meaning there is less strain on your roof and other structures.

The preforming aspect decreases the installation time. They are easy to handle and ready to attach directly to the roof. The material of these roof valleys is also great as it doesn’t stain or streak.

They don’t generally need to be replaced for many years, so they’re a good choice for the majority of homes.

PROS

✔ Quick roof valley construction time

✔ Lightweight

✔ Cheaper than other products

✔ Easy to handle

✔ Won’t stain or streak

✔ Don’t need to be replaced for many years

CONS

✖ Difficult to repair

Preformed Mortarless Roof Valley

This type of roof valley directs the water to the guttering system on your home without allowing it to discharge over the sides due to the long upstands on each side of the valley.

They also come in a variation where there is a central upstand for homes that have two roof slopes with uneven pitches.

These roof valleys are very similar to GRP roof valleys but with some slight alterations. They benefit from the same advantages of a GRP roof valley. However, they are slightly more expensive to buy and take longer to install properly.

PROS

✔ Lightweight

✔ Easy to handle

✔ Won’t stain or streak

✔ Don’t need to be replaced for many years

✔ Work well with roofs that have two slopes or uneven pitches

CONS

✖ More expensive than GRP valleys

✖ Takes longer to install than GRP valleys

Hiring Contractors to Replace a Roof Valley Checklist

You may need to consider several things when finding the right contractor to repair or replace the roof valley on your home for you. Below is a list of common questions that you should ask when looking for the right contractor for the job:

roof valley
  • Does the contractor have any qualifications that relate directly to building a roof valley or repairing a roof valley?
  • What equipment will the contractor be using to complete the job? Will they be using the correct type of equipment? Do you need to provide any equipment?
  • Does the contractor possess any form of insurance for the work? You should look for contractors who have insurance covering property damage, personal injuries, and a work guarantee
  • How much experience does the contractor have in roof valley repairs and replacements? Can they provide any testimonials or evidence of previous work? Can they provide photos of previous work?
  • Does the contractor offer any guarantees with their work? How long does the guarantee last? What issues are covered under guarantee? Will the contractor fix any issues that arise?
  • How long will the work take to complete?
  • How many contractors will be working on the job?
  • Is there anything you need to do to prepare for the repair or replacement job?

FAQs

What is a valley on a roof?

A roof valley is the part of the roof where two sloping roofs meet, and rainwater is channelled downwards into the gutter. The roof valley deals with a lot of water in heavy rainfall, and the area is often prone to leaking. They are usually made of lead, fibreglass, or concrete tiles.

What is roof valley flashing?

Valley roof flashing is added to the valley to make sure the runoff water doesn’t penetrate the actual roof valley. This protects it from the elements. It is an extra form of defence for the roof to help prevent leaks and to prevent any further repairs.

Where can I hire scaffolding?

There are many reputable scaffolding companies that you can find in local listings and online. However, unless you are familiar with the type of scaffolding that you need, it may be better to leave the scaffolding hire to the contractors that you choose to complete the roof valley repair.

This is because the contractor will have the skills and knowledge needed to order the correct type of scaffolding needed to complete the job.

How long does it take to repair or replace a roof valley?

For a typical sized roof valley of around three metres in length with standard roof tiles and no problems with access, this will usually take around half a day to replace the mortar and re-bed the existing valley in place. However, if you need to completely replace the roof valley, this will usually take a full day to complete.

What are shingles?

Roof shingles are made up of individually overlapping sheets typically made from metal, wood, or composite materials such as fibre cement or asphalt. The shingles are there to provide a route for the water to run off the roof. This helps to minimise the chances of a leak on the roof valley.

Sources

https://www.roofingmegastore.co.uk/blog/leaking-roof-valley.html

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