Cost to Replace Roof Tiles

How Much to Replace Roof Tiles?

It costs approximately £215 to replace five broken tiles, assuming no scaffolding is required.

What are the main tile replacement cost drivers? How many roof tiles you're replacing, the quality and size of the tiles, and the ease of access.

Replacement Roof Tile Prices

This table outlines the cost of different types of roof tile replacements for clay, concrete, and slate tiles:

Replacing more tiles doesn't simply multiply the cost — a roofer's call-out and access setup costs are largely fixed, so the cost per tile tends to reduce slightly on larger jobs.

Roof Tile Replacement Cost Calculator

Use the calculator above to get an estimate for your roof tile replacement job. It's designed for smaller replacement jobs — if you're considering a full re-roof, use the calculator in our new roof cost guide instead, which is better suited to larger jobs.

What's Included in Roof Tile Replacement Costs?

Your roof tile replacement cost will include:

• An inspection of the damaged roof area
• Removal of loose/broken roof tiles
• Installation of replacement roof tiles in the affected area
• Basic clean-up of surrounding area

Here's what won't be included in your roof tile replacement quote:

• Scaffolding hire (unless previously agreed)
• Full roof tile replacement
• Structural roof repairs
• Work on your gutters

Labour Cost to Replace Roof Tiles

The labour cost of replacing roof tiles will vary significantly depending on the extent of the work.

In the UK, a roofer tends to charge between £200 and £275 per day, although this will depend on where you live in the country.

If you need about 5 to 10 roof tiles replaced, the setup of the scaffold and other equipment may take 2 to 3 hours, while the replacement work itself will also likely take 2 to 3 hours, or perhaps a bit more. To take down the materials/equipment and tidy up, a roofer may take another hour or so.

For more extensive work, the replacement of roof tiles could take days or even 1 to 2 weeks. Replacing a fully tiled roof will generally involve about a fortnight of work.

The length of the job will also depend on how easy the roof is to reach and the nature of the weather at the time. The labour and time scale can also be influenced by the size of the house and the type of roof shingles used.

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Additional Roof Tile Replacement Costs

When replacing your roof tiles, there are various tasks you may wish to have undertaken simultaneously. Let’s take a look at how much these jobs might cost:

Scaffolding Hire

Depending on the height of your property, it may be necessary to hire scaffolding to have your roof tiles replaced. For a small repair job, a tower scaffold typically costs £65 to £120 to hire for a week. If a full front elevation scaffold is needed, expect to pay £550 to £750 for a week-long hire.

Scaffolding isn't automatically required for all roof tile replacements, but the Work at Height Regulations 2005 stipulate that work carried out at height must be done safely, using the "most appropriate method" to avoid falls.

In the majority of cases, homeowners don’t actually need to contact a scaffolding company themselves, and your roofer will assess the need and then arrange the scaffolding themselves using a reputable company.

Roof Cleaning

To have your roof pressure washed costs around £575, although the price will vary based on a range of factors, such as the size of your roof and the ease of access.

Standalone Tile Removal

Note that tile removal and disposal is included as standard in a replacement quote. However, if you need tiles removed without replacement — for example, as part of a wider building project — this will be an additional cost.

For a standalone removal of around 5 tiles, you're looking at approximately £200 for around 2 hours of work.

Repairing and Replacing Roof Joists

You may need your roof joists repaired or replaced. These are structural beams, generally wooden, that run horizontally and support the roof and connect opposing walls. It’s not unusual for the joists to weather and rot with time to the point that work will be needed to fix them or that they will need to be replaced entirely.

On average, replacing roof joists costs about £350 to £600 per beam. In the majority of cases, you’ll need the help of a roofing specialist or carpenter.

To replace your entire roof costs £5,250 on average. The structural engineer or roofer you hire will probably offer one of three different options: the use of specialist repair plates, the replacement of the full joist and truss, or repairing beams with the help of timber resin-based materials.

Factors That Impact the Cost of Replacing Roof Tiles

There are a variety of factors that determine how much it costs to replace roof tiles. Here's what you need to know:

Location of Property

Where you live is an essential factor in the total cost because tradespersons/trade companies charge different rates throughout the country.

Roofers in London tend to charge a higher amount in labour costs than those in many other parts of England.

Ease of Access

How accessible is your house roof? This will also shape the total roof tile replacement cost.

If it is a large property, or especially difficult to reach, it may cost you more because of the length of the job, but also because this means that a platform or scaffolding is more likely.

Size and Type of Roof Tiles

How large the roof tiles are and the type used are also important aspects of the job price. Many roof tiles are generally 265mm x 165mm in size.

In terms of supply costs, clay tiles are the most affordable at £0.80 to £2.50 per tile, followed by concrete at £1 to £3.50 per tile, Marley tiles at £1.10 to £2.80 per tile, and slate at the higher end at £3 to £5 per tile.

Number of Roof Tiles

Aside from the size and type of roof tiles, perhaps the most significant factor in the total price of a roof tile replacement job is the number of tiles that are being replaced.

A small job may involve just 5 to 10 tiles being replaced, while a larger job could involve 100s or even 1000s of roof tiles being replaced.

Scaffolding Hire

If scaffolding is needed, this will bring up the job's overall cost. This will usually be required unless the job is particularly quick.

Cost of Replacing Roof Felt Under Tiles

If the roof felt also needs replacing, this will add to the total cost. Roof felt (also called the underlay) sits beneath your tiles and acts as a secondary barrier against water ingress — over time it can rot, tear, or simply wear out.

Because re-felting requires all tiles to be stripped first, it's often more cost-effective to replace the tiles at the same time rather than refit the existing ones.

What's Involved in Replacing Roof Tiles?

While it's possible to replace a few roof tiles yourself, working at height carries a high risk of injury if done incorrectly.

If you're unsure of anything, then you should always hire a professional roofer to take care of the work for you.

Let's take a look at what replacing roof tiles involves. This method can vary depending on the extent of the job, the type of property, and the roof tiles used:

Before the Job Starts

• The roofer will start by assessing the site. Small jobs may just need a ladder, but larger jobs will need scaffolding.
• If required, the scaffolding contractor will assemble the scaffold frame, lay down the wooden planks, and attach access ladders and guardrails. The roofer will then attach their harness before getting started on the roof.

During the Job

• To take the old roof tiles off, the roofer will lift the tiles that overlap the ones being replaced (two pieces of timber can be used to hold these tiles up). They'll then use a brick trowel to pull up the tile that needs to be removed over the batten beneath, then slide it down and out to remove it.
• The new tile should be placed onto the brick trowel, and the steps should be reversed to fit the new tile in position. The overlapping tiles must then be correctly and safely put back in place.

After the Job

• Once the roof tiles are safely in place, the scaffolding contractor will take down the scaffolding equipment. The roofer will then tidy up, disposing of the old tiles in the process.

What Type of Roof Tiles are There?

There are differences between the various roof tiles available. Let's explain what each type is, how they’re made, when they’re used, as well as list their pros and cons:

Clay Roof Tile Cost

These traditional roof tiles remain particularly popular to this day. They can add a beautiful finishing touch to the roof of any home. They are durable and environmentally friendly.

To make clay tiles, sand is added to the surface of the clay before the tile is moulded and pressed so that any excess clay may be removed using a wire. This ultimately involves baking moulded clay. Clay tiles are generally used regardless of the location due to their properties.

Clay roof tiles cost £0.80 to £2.50 per tile.

Pros

• ✔ Durable, capable of lasting over 100 years
• ✔ Environmentally friendly
• ✔ Low maintenance
• ✔ Various styles available

Cons

• ✖ Heavy, may require a reinforced structure
• ✖ Brittle and can crack if struck
• ✖ Can be tricky to install
• ✖ Costly

Concrete Roof Tile Cost

These roof tiles are a mixture of cement, sand and water. These tiles are created by moulding the materials mentioned above under high pressure and heat. Sometimes, concrete is finished with a material similar to paint being added to its surface.

Concrete tiles feature extra waterlocks or interlocking ribs along their edges to prevent water from seeping through. Due to their qualities, concrete roof tiles are suited to virtually any home.

Concrete roof tiles cost £1 to £3.50 per tile.

Pros

• ✔ Durable, lasting up to 60 years
• ✔ Requires minimal maintenance
• ✔ Resistant to fire
• ✔ Verstatile options available

Cons

• ✖ Colour can fade over time
• ✖ Not entirely resistant to the wind
• ✖ Can break if damaged
• ✖ Typically has a shorter lifespan than clay or slate roof tiles

Slate Roof Tile Cost

Slate roof tiles consist of metamorphic rocks, which are taken from sedimentary-type rocks of volcanic clay and ash. Slate is usually a long-lasting product. Slate roofs are known as ‘hundred-year-old roofs’.

These tiles are fire-resistant, water-resistant, and durable, and each piece has a unique look due to being a natural product. Slate tiles are often used for both interior and exterior uses.

Slate roof tiles cost £3 to £5 per tile.

Pros

• ✔ Long-lasting, over 100 years
• ✔ Low maintenance
• ✔ Gives a premium, natural appearance
• ✔ Can increase the value of a property

Cons

• ✖ Heavy, requiring structural reinforcement
• ✖ Can be expensive
• ✖ Skilled installation
• ✖ Can break if handled incorrectly

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Replacing Roof Tiles

There are various building regulations which apply to roof work. Thankfully, planning permission is rarely needed for roof tiling.

The relevant exceptions are if:

• The work involves structural alterations.
• You plan on replacing or repairing the entire roof.
• You want to improve your roof's thermal insulation.
• The performance of the new covering will be substantially different should a fire occur.

Standard planning application costs can vary, and it may take around eight weeks for planning permission to be approved. The Planning Portal provides all of the information you’d need to access regarding planning permission guidelines.

Benefits of Replacing Roof Tiles

Replacing damaged or worn roof tiles offers several important advantages for your home.

• Maintains structural integrity — Damaged tiles left in place can allow water to penetrate the roof structure, leading to rot, damp, and costly repairs over time.
• Improves weatherproofing — New tiles provide better resistance to heavy winds, rain, and frost than worn or cracked ones.
• Enhances appearance — Tiles discolour and fade with age — replacements can noticeably improve the look of your home.
• Adds property value — A well-maintained roof, particularly with quality slate tiles, can positively impact your home's value.
• Prevents leaks — Broken or slipped tiles are a common cause of water ingress. Prompt replacement stops leaks before they cause further damage.
• Reduces future repair costs — Addressing damaged tiles early prevents problems from escalating, saving time and money in the long run.

Checklist: Hiring a Roofer to Replace Roof Tiles

Hiring a professional roofer is a big decision, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly, as your home's integrity depends on their workmanship.

Here are a few points you’ll need to consider when searching for a local roofer:

• Are they qualified? Check your roofer's experience, and make sure they have proof of working with your exact tile type (e.g., slate, clay).
• Are they insured? Roofing is an inherently dangerous trade, so you must ensure your roofer has public liability insurance.
• Do they provide written quotes? Ensure all quotes are written and itemised to avoid any hidden costs or missing charges.
• Are scaffolding/access costs included in your quote? Be sure to ask this question at the quotation stage to make sure everything is clear before work begins.
• What are their reviews like? Look at the roofer's customer reviews. Do their past clients' comments align with what you're looking for in a trader?
• Is there a guarantee on their work? Most reputable traders will offer free repairs within a certain timeframe.

Aim to get at least 3 quotes from different local roofers to compare their costs and credibility, enabling you to make an informed decision.