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myCost of Replacing Leadwork on a Chimney
At a Glance
- The average cost of replacing leadwork on a chimney is around £570.
- The job will take approximately 0.5 to 1 day to complete.
- A complete pricing breakdown for replacing leadwork on a chimney, including costs with and without scaffolding, along with what such a task usually involves.
- How long the job should approximately take and a general overview of what kind of jobs can be performed.
- How to find and hire a chimney specialist.
Replacing the leadwork on a chimney?
On average, replacing leadwork on a chimney will likely cost between £350 and £920, depending on various factors.
We'll also explore other subjects, such as the steps involved in replacing leadwork and the benefits of doing so (or more likely.
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If you want to learn more about lead chimney flashing first, take a look below...
£570
Table of Contents
- How Much Does It Cost to Replace Leadwork on a Chimney?
- Chimney Leadwork Replacement Costs (Supply Only)
- Additional Chimney Leadwork Replacement Costs
- Labour Costs and Timescales
- Cost Factors of Replacing Chimney Leadwork
- What's involved in Chimney Leadwork Replacement?
- Can I Replace Chimney Lead Flashing Myself?
- Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Chimney Leadwork Replacement
- Benefits of Replacing Chimney Lead Flashing
- Checklist: How to Find and Hire a Chimney Leadwork Specialist in the UK
- FAQs
- Sources
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Leadwork on a Chimney?
Looking for leadwork specialist costs?
The average cost of replacing leadwork on a chimney is £350 to £460 if scaffolding is not needed, but you’d need a budget of around £700 to £920 if scaffolding is required.
The price of replacing the leadwork on a chimney depends on:
- Size/type of chimney
- Size/type of leadwork
- Type of property
- State of the installation area
- Ease of access
Where you live impacts your labour cost. The price of hiring a contractor tends to be higher in the southeast, especially in London. On the other hand, you’ll generally find labour prices below the national average in northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
While painting our house, we noticed there was a hole in the lead flashing on the valley of the roof. Can it be patched, or does it need to be taken out and replaced?
"It can be patched over depending on the size of the hole. Patch repair will not last as long as a full fit but will hold the rain out for a few years."
Chimney Leadwork Replacement Prices
The following prices include the cost of materials and labour fees, and can vary depending on whether or not scaffolding is required.
| Job Description | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Replacing Leadwork without Scaffolding | £350 – £460 |
| Replacing Leadwork with Scaffolding | £700 – £920 |
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Chimney Leadwork Replacement Costs (Supply Only)
The supply cost of replacing leadwork on a chimney is about £250 to £310. However, you’d need to add about £250 to £310 if scaffolding is used.
The supply costs exclude the labour/installation cost and, if needed, scaffolding. Of course, as with labour prices, these can vary significantly.
Replacing Chimney Leadwork Supply Costs
| Job Description | Supply Costs |
|---|---|
| Replacing Leadwork without Scaffolding | £250 - £310 |
| Replacing Leadwork with Scaffolding | £500 - £620 |
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Additional Chimney Leadwork Replacement Costs
What other jobs should I consider? We’ll now discuss some extra jobs you may wish to pay for, along with replacing chimney leadwork.
If you already have scaffolding in place for your leadwork replacement, it makes sense to get the following jobs done at the same time to make use of the scaffolding:
- Installing a Chimney Liner - On average, chimney liner replacement costs around £600 to £1,000 depending on the size and style of chimney.
- Chimney Cowl Fitting - Installation costing around £200, although fuel-specific cowls may cost slightly less than multi-purpose chimney cowls.
- Replacing Roof Tiles - You may wish to replace a few roof tiles at the same time as replacing leading, costing between £150 and £250, depending on the style and quality used.
Is there any harm in leaving lichen on roof tiles? I know moss should be removed, but what about lichen?
"I would advise having it properly cleaned and then an inhibitor applied to prevent any growth. A properly functioning roof is a clean roof."
Here are some jobs you might also want done at the same time as your lead flashing, but don't necessarily need scaffolding:
Chimney Sweeping Cost
If you're using actively using your chimney in conjunction with a fire, you will need to budget for the cost of chimney sweeping. This typically costs £95, and the volume of cleaning will depend on your usage, but at least once a year is recommended for most.
Labour Costs and Timescales
The labour price excludes the supply costs and that of hiring scaffolding to replace leadwork on a chimney.
The labour cost is approximately £200 to £300 per day. This will come to roughly £100 to £150 per day if scaffolding is not required, but around £200 to £300 per day if it is needed.
It takes, on average, 2 to 6 hours to set up scaffolding (if required), while the actual leadwork replacement itself should take about 3 to 5 hours.
The labour cost and timescales depend on ease of access, the state of the work area, and, potentially, the weather conditions. The labour costs will also vary based on where you live.
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Cost Factors of Replacing Chimney Leadwork
Let’s take a closer look at the factors that influence replacing chimney leadwork.
Size and Type of Chimney
Larger chimneys tend to increase the cost due to the volume of work required. Likewise, the chimney design can impact the type of leadwork required and how long the job may take.
More extensive leadwork means higher material and labour costs. Certain types of lead also come at a premium, influencing the overall expense.
Ease of Access
The condition of the roof can have a significant impact on any work being carried out on the chimney, as providing access is straightforward this makes it easier to reach the area required. It can also help determine if any additional scaffolding is required, as the health and safety of any tradespeople working at height is a priority.
Condition of Chimney
A chimney in good repair simplifies leadwork replacement, although any damage or deterioration will demand more time and resources and could lead onto other requirements, which will increase material and labour costs.
What's involved in Chimney Leadwork Replacement?
We’ll now discuss the steps required to replace leadwork on a chimney. The work can vary depending on the exact nature of the leadwork being replaced.
- Hiring a Roofer – Find a qualified roofer by requesting quotes from at least three contractors. Ask for references or examples of previous work to help ensure you choose the right person for the job.
- Preparation Work – On the day of the work, the roofer will start by preparing the area and gathering any tools and materials required. This may also include inspecting the roof and erecting scaffolding if needed.
- Replacing Leadwork – The lead can be shaped into place or welded, then fixed using lead plugs between brick courses. Cement may be used to seal gaps and prevent water ingress. Some roof tiles may also need to be removed and replaced during the process.
- Techniques Used – Common leadwork includes step cover flashing, lead apron flashing, and back box installation. Step flashing is more complex due to the angled cuts required, while replacing a back box is often time-consuming and may impact labour costs.
- Clean-Up – After the installation, any old leadwork and debris are removed from the site. The finished job is checked for security and safety, and any scaffolding is disassembled and taken away.
How straightforward is it to remove a chimney breast if the chimney stack is already removed?
"It's fairly easy to remove, but the cost depends on different factors, like access and making good. If just one level were to be removed, the cost would be around £1,500."
Can I Replace Chimney Lead Flashing Myself?
Replacing chimney lead flashing is generally not suitable as a DIY project. Unless you know exactly what is involved and have some relevant experience, you should hire a professional for this work.
Generally, a professional will not need to sign off on your work. However, if in doubt, you should contact your local council.
Even if it is not generally suitable to replace chimney lead on a DIY basis, you could still, for instance, assemble scaffolding if required as a way to cut down on labour costs.
As with any DIY work, replacing leadwork on a chimney comes with many hazards/dangers.
For example, working at a height is risky, and for that reason, it is best to wear a safety harness.
It’s also important to take the necessary safety steps when working with heavy tools/equipment and, of course, when working with lead, as cutting yourself on a lead surface could result in lead poisoning.
Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Chimney Leadwork Replacement
Certain building regulations apply to roofing repairs, including relacing leadwork on a chimney. For example, similar materials should be used, and the general appearance of the roof should be maintained to ensure weatherproofing and safety.
However, approval for the work isn't required unless you are changing over a quarter of the overal appearance of the roof. In this instance submitting a building application is usually around £300 to £400, depending on the nature of the work.
Planning permission is not necessary as long as:
- You do not alter more than 150mm of space from the existing roof plane.
- You avoid making alterations higher than the tallest point of the existing roof.
- Obscure-glazed windows are used for any openings more than 1.7 metres above the floor line.
The exception to the above is if you live in a listed property or within a conservation area, in which case if a planning application is required, this will cost around £200 to £400 and you should receive a response within 8 weeks.
If in doubt, it is always recommended that you contact your local council before starting any work.
Benefits of Replacing Chimney Lead Flashing
There are plenty of advantages to installing chimney lead flashing along with removing the old leadwork. Let’s take a look at some common examples:
Prevent Damage
Firstly, replacing leadwork on a chimney can reduce the chance of damage since old and worn-down leadwork will be replaced by new, fresh, and likely more durable leadwork. Also, it may involve replacing old chimney tiles.
Protect the Chimney
New leadwork can better protect a chimney, given its physical qualities. Of course, most notably, the newer the leadwork, the more durable it is likely to be.
However, you may specifically choose to buy a leadwork product that is better than the original leadwork in terms of strength.
When I light my log burner, I end up with the bedroom above filling with smoke (the bedroom has an unused original fireplace in it). Can anyone suggest the cause?
"That is a serious issue, there is clearly a hole somewhere if the chimney is full of soot, and there is a draught blowing in from somewhere below the top. It is possible that it could catch fire - you need that looked at ASAP."
Checklist: How to Find and Hire a Chimney Leadwork Specialist in the UK
There are various points to consider when it comes to hiring a roofer for this job. Here's what we suggest you check before you hire a local roofer:
- What qualifications does the roofer have? (Qualifications are not necessary, and unqualified roofers can be highly experienced and skilled).
- What was their previous work like? Are there any photos/videos of their past work you can look at?
- Have their previous customers rated them highly?
- Are they part of any accreditation?
FAQs
What is chimney flashing?
Chimney flashing is a waterproof sheet of metal designed to secure the roof and chimney. Flashing may need to be repaired or replaced if it loosens or experiences damage.
How much would I pay to repoint a chimney?
On average, you can expect to pay around £250 to £350 to have your chimney repointed.
Should I hire a roofer to fix a chimney?
Yes. In general, it is best to hire a chimney specialist to deal with direct repairs or replacement work on a chimney.
How much does it cost to have a chimney repaired?
It costs about £600 up to £1,900 to have your chimney repaired. The price can vary as the cost depends on a range of factors, such as the extent of the work needed, ease of access, and the type of chimney.
How can I find the chimney leadwork replacement cost near me?
More than 1 million homeowners across the UK use MyJobQuote to find tradespeople near them every year. Simply enter your project details and wait for chimney specialists near you to get back to you with free, no obligation quotes.
Why is lead used on roofs?
Lead is a feature of many properties, especially on the roof and surrounding the base of a chimney, and it may also be found where roof tiles and a wall connect or in a roof valley. Lead has great durability and flexibility and is waterproof to help prevent water ingress.
Sources
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/roof/roof-planning-permission
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/roof/building-regulations-re-roofing
https://www.gov.uk/planning-permission-england-wales/after-you-apply
