Chimney Lead Flashing Repair Cost

Replacing the leadwork on a chimney?

On average, replacing leadwork on a chimney will likely cost between £350 and £920, depending largely on whether or not scaffolding is required.

If you're ready for a quote, you can submit your project details to chimney specialists near you, who are ready to offer you a free, no obligation quote!

Want to learn more about what impacts the costs of replacing lead chimney flashing first? Our guide has everything you need to know, and we also explore the steps involved in replacing leadwork and the benefits of doing so, so you know what to expect.

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.

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. Most quotes include both labour and materials, but scaffolding is often priced separately depending on access and chimney height.

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.

Labour Cost to Repair Chimney Flashing & 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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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.

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.

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Factors That Impact the Cost 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.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Chimney Leadwork Replacements

In most cases, lead flashing repair or replacement does not require building regulations approval, as like-for-like repairs are classed as maintenance work.

If a larger section of the roof is being altered at the same time, approval may be needed, with building applications typically costing £300 to £400.

Planning permission is not usually required unless you live in a listed building or conservation area, where additional approval may apply.

If you are unsure, check with your local council before work starts.

Benefits of Replacing Chimney Lead Flashing

There are plenty of advantages to installing chimney lead flashing along with removing the old leadwork. If the flashing is damaged, rainwater can seep into the home, leading to damp patches and mould, as well as damage to internal walls. Repairing or replacing the flashing at the first signs of damage can prevent more costly repairs later.

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.

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?

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