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mySlate Roof Tiles Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of fitting a slate roof is around £9,500.
- The job will usually take 2 to 4 weeks.
- A complete pricing breakdown which includes what types of slate materials there are, along with what such a task usually involves.
- How long the job should approximately take and a general overview of what types of services can be performed.
- How to find and hire a roofer.
Want to know what prices are involved in having a slate roof constructed?
In this cost guide, we'll discuss the prices of various types/sizes of slate roofs and explore other relevant topics ranging from what's involved in building a slate roof to a closer look at the different types of slate roofing materials.
Are you in need of a quote?
Then look no further! We have a wide range of slate roofing specialists ready to offer you a free quote!
The average cost of slate roof installation will be around £9,500, but the price will vary depending on various factors which will be explored below.
£9,500
Table of Contents
- How Much Does a New Slate Roof Cost?
- Supply Cost of Slate Roof
- Additional Slate Roof Costs
- Slate Roofer Costs and Timescales
- What Impacts Slate Roof Installation Costs?
- What's Involved in Building a Slate Roof?
- Can I Install a Slate Roof Myself?
- Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Slate Roofing
- Types of Slate Roofing Materials
- Checklist: Hiring Contractors to Install a Slate Roof
- FAQs
How Much Does a New Slate Roof Cost?
So, how much for a new roof?
The average cost of building a slate roof varies depending on the size of your roof, the ease of access, the roof's pitch, your location, and more. There are many factors involved that would shape the price of building a slate roof, which we'll cover in this guide.
As a guide, it would cost approximately £3,100 to £3,700 to slate a terrace roof. As for an average, semi-detached home, the price will be around £7,000 to £8,600.
Adding a slate roof to a bungalow or a detached roof meanwhile likely costs somewhere between £9,700 and £12,300.
The costs above are based on the pricing of around £100 to £120 per square metre for an average slate roof (this would include the cost of labour and supplies).
However, for a Spanish slate roof, you’d need a budget of about £30 to £38 per square metre.
What's the difference between English and Welsh roof slate?
"Welsh slate is generally regarded as the finest slate in the world, with many exports falling short of its stunning appearance and long-lasting performance. The most significant slate-producing areas of England are that of Cornwall and Devon where the Delabole Quarry is thought to be the biggest quarry on the island."
Roof Slate Prices
Slate roof costs are impacted not only by the size/type of roof but also by the exact type of slate material used and ease of access.
Another price factor that should not be overlooked is the location of your property. Where you live is relevant since labour prices differ from region to region, with typically higher prices seen in London and the surrounding areas compared to those in the north of the UK.
With this in mind, let's look at some roof slate prices for terraced, semi-detached, bungalow, and detached roofs:
| Type of Roof | Labour Cost | Supply Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrace | £1,200 – £1,500 | £1,900 – £2,200 | £3,100 – £3,700 |
| Semi-detached | £2,700 – £3,500 | £4,300 – £5,100 | £7,000 – £8,600 |
| Bungalow | £3,900 – £5,000 | £6,000 – £7,200 | £9,900 – £12,200 |
| Detached | £4,200 – £5,500 | £5,500 – £6,800 | £9,700 – £12,300 |
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Supply Cost of Slate Roof
We'll now look at the cost of supplies specifically. This is part of the overall slate roofing cost but excludes the price of labour.
But, you should be aware that the cost of supplies does not simply mean the price of purchasing the actual slates. The cost of supplies could also include:
- Breather membrane - £3 to £4 per square metre
- Battens with nails - £1.50 to £2.50 per metre
- Counter battens with nails - £2 to £3 per metre
Regular slate from the UK - including Welsh slate - is famed for its superior longevity and can last for over 100 years. As quarrying in the UK is more expensive than in Spain due to environmental restrictions which limit the volume available to be quarried at any one time, regular slate commonly has a higher supply cost compared to Spanish slate, where quarries can produce in bigger batches, bringing down overall unit cost.
On average, it costs about £60 to £75 per square metre to purchase slates for a roof.
If you’d prefer to have a Spanish slate roof constructed, the overall supply cost would likely be between £30 and £38 per square metre.
Supply Costs of a Slate Roof
| Type of Slate Roofing Material | Supply Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular Slate | £60 – £75 per m² |
| Spanish Slate | £30 – £38 per m² |
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Additional Slate Roof Costs
In this section, we’ll discuss some additional jobs you may wish to have undertaken while having your slate roof installed.
Insulating Your Roof
When installing a new slate roof, you may find it a good time to insulate your roof (if it isn’t already). A properly insulated roof can keep your home warmer during cold winter months.
This, in turn, could keep your energy bills down and both save you money and lower your carbon footprint. Here are some average roof insulation costs* for you to consider:
- Fibreglass Insulation - £450
- Mineral Wool Roll Insulation - £500
- Spray Insulation - £900
- Warm Deck Insulation Boards - £750
*These prices are based on covering a 20 square metre area, and would also depend on the type/pitch of your roof.
Garden Waste Removal
Upon installing a new roof, it's a good chance to have your garden cleaned and give it a new lease of life.
Here's what garden clearance costs on average:
- 2-yard skip (20 bin bags) - £100
- 3-yard skip (30 bin bags) - £115
- 4-yard skip (40 bin bags) - £200
- 6-yard skip (60 bin bags) - £240
- 8-yard skip (80 bin bags) - £320
- 10-yard skip (100 bin bags) - £340
- 12-yard skip (120 bin bags) - £380
- 14-yard skip (140 bin bags) - £400
The cost of skip hire will always be higher in London and the surrounding areas due to increased demand, averaging out at 10% to 15% higher than the same hire period in the north of the UK.
Where can I get rid of my old slate roof tiles that aren't in good condition for free?
"If they are natural slate, a reclamation yard may take them depending on how bad they are, or if they are coated."
Slate Roofer Costs and Timescales
For this section, we’ll look at the price of hiring a contractor to perform the necessary work to build a slate roof. This is part of the overall cost and naturally excludes the supply costs.
Roof contractors will likely charge about £40 to £55 per square metre of roof slate installation. The result would be that the cost of labour for a slate roof, regardless of the type, would likely fall in the thousands of pounds. The only exception would probably be for a relatively small Spanish slate roof.
As for the timescale of the job, it will probably take a few weeks in total. However, it can take days or even months, depending on the size and type of roof, among other factors. The cost of labour would also depend on where you live.
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What Impacts Slate Roof Installation Costs?
Let's now break down the cost-affecting factors in more detail. We’ll explain what these factors are and how they can vary and shape the overall cost of installing a slate roof.
Type/Size of Slate Roof
The size and type of roof you have will shape the cost of adding slates, including the type of pitch.
If your roof is quite steep, the work may cost more than the same size roof with a shallower pitch. This is because roofers would need support to lay the various slates, adding to the complexity and length of the job.
Material
Which slate you choose impacts your overall price. These tiles can be natural slate, fibre cement slate, concrete slate, metal slate, and composite synthetic slate.
Ease of Access
How accessible your roof is also matters. If your roof is more accessible, the work should be easier and quicker, likely keeping your labour expenses down.
However, if access is more difficult, it could be more expensive - especially if scaffolding is required.
Location of Property
Where you live is another relevant cost-affecting factor. It’s generally more expensive to hire a roofer in the southeast of England than it is in northern England. Labour prices tend to be below average in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
My sister’s roofer recommended replacing her entire 120-year-old slate roof, estimating around £12,000 using reclaimed slates. Should she go ahead with a full replacement, and does that price seem reasonable?
"Yes, you should get a new roof. The nails that hold the slates start to decay, and the slates start slipping. The slates can be reused because they decay at a much lower rate than the nails, therefore you would be getting repairs done every time a nail fails. As for the price, depends on the size of the roof and the steepness of the roof. Scaffolding requirements also factor into the price."
What's Involved in Building a Slate Roof?
Building a slate roof can be a complex process, and the methods may vary depending on the specifics of the installation. Here's what you can expect:
1. Preparation
Before the slate roof construction can get underway, it’s important to know the angle or pitch of the roof so that the size of the overlap can be calculated. Different slate tiles will suit different roof pitches and different roofs in general, so it’s important to ensure that the correct slates are being installed.
Notably, if the wind or rain levels in your area are more than average, you’ll likely require a larger overlap, so make sure to keep this in mind.
Another important preparation to consider is if your roof is new or you’ve stripped the roof, you need to ensure that the rafters have no nails sticking out of them or other elements sticking out of the timber. This is to ensure that you do not damage the breathable membrane.
If required, scaffolding should be added prior to any work beginning. Scaffolding will be needed if the roof is particularly high and difficult to access with just a ladder.
2. Installing the Slate Roof
If you are looking to replace an existing roof, then you will need to first remove the old roof. The first practical step of fitting the slate roof (again, depending on the type and nature of the installation) would likely involve rolling out the breathable membrane. It should be pulled taught and nailed into position.
Next, the first batten and tile should be placed in position. This can be used to calculate the exact number of battens required. More battens can then be added, one after another, from the top to the bottom of the roof.
At this point, it’s time to install the first row of slate tiles with an overlap established. Continue to add the remaining rows of tiles from there. The tiles can be secured into position using fasteners or nails.
They may be made from aluminium, copper, galvanised steel or stainless steel. Among the types of slate roof tiles to be installed, you’d also need suitable ridge tiles for a slate roof.
3. Clean Up
Once everything is safe and firmly in position, the clean-up can begin. If scaffolding had been set up, this can be disassembled now, too.
How much to repair 3 slipped slates on my roof?
"Depending on access to the area, it would be around £150 to £220."
Can I Install a Slate Roof Myself?
In general, it is best to leave installing a slate roof to a professional. Even if you have the right skills and knowledge, a professional contractor is likely to perform a more precise job, which reduces the risk of issues arising with your roof later down the line.
And, if scaffolding is needed, it’s best to leave it to a professional.
However, if you do decide to undertake the work DIY, ensure that you take all the necessary safety steps, such as having a second person hold the ladder you use, and consider wearing a safety harness for working on your roof.
If in doubt, hire a professional roofer.
Some of the hazards/dangers associated with adding a slate roof DIY are:
- Falling from a height.
- Slipping on the roof.
- Incorrect slate roof installation.
Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Slate Roofing
In this section, we’ll discuss the building regulations and planning permission rules for adding a slate roof.
Building Regulations
When it comes to having a new roof installed, a wide range of building regulations apply. For starters, it's important that a new roof can resist weather and is resistant to fire spreading from one property to another.
It must also have the capacity to support loads (i.e., weights) and come with suitable insulation. Furthermore, a new roof needs adequate drainage and (in the majority of cases) it has to be ventilated to protect against condensation.
You’ll need to have full details of your new roof (such as the materials, its dimensions etc.), and whether you have a pitched or flat roof. This is important as a means of complying with the regulations.
The building regulations for covering a roof include:
- The materials covering a roof should be long-lasting and weather-resistant.
- If you’ve a pitched roof, the type of slate being used is partly determined by how shallow or steep the roof’s slope is.
- If your roof is near a boundary, it must have the necessary qualities to minimise the danger of fire spreading across your boundary.
As for the ventilation building regs, these are:
- Ventilation is unnecessary for a warm roof system (i.e., a roof where there is insulation fitted above the joists/rafters).
- Ventilation is needed in other situations, where you have a cold roof system.
- When ventilation is needed, the air should have room to enter the roof at one end before travelling through and exiting out the other end.
Slate roof vents or similar instalments may be needed. Building regulations may cost about £100 in total.
Planning Permission
There are general re-roofing planning permission rules for whatever type of roof you have installed, including a new slate roof.
The good news is that re-roofing is generally deemed permitted development, which means that planning permission would not be required.
This assumes the following:
- There is no enlargement of a dwellinghouse that features the addition or alteration of its roof.
- No additional storeys are being added to your home.
- There is no installation or alteration of solar equipment to your home.
However, if any of these expectations do apply, then planning permission will probably be needed. Additional rules may also apply. If in doubt, you can contact your local council for further advice on your specific re-roofing plans.
It tends to cost several hundred pounds for a planning permission application if needed. You’d be looking at waiting up to 8 weeks for planning permission approval.
A few of our slate tiles have been temporarily fixed by a handyman using some kind of metal hook. How long can we leave these in place before they need a proper fix?
"Replacement slate tiles are usually fitted with a lead strap or metal hook, this is the only way to fit a slate tile to an existing roof without stripping most of the roof."
Types of Slate Roofing Materials
We'll now take a closer look at the various types of slate roof materials, including a breakdown of their pros and cons and estimated costs.
Natural Slate Roof Cost
A sturdy and long-lasting option is natural slate. Natural slate consists of grains of quartz, mica and chlorite.
The slates cost about £55 to £75 per square metre, so it’s one of the costlier choices. However, it may last for a century or more if well-maintained.
Pros
- ✔ Can last for 100+ years if well-maintained
- ✔ Low maintenance, with fire, moisture, and pest resistance
Cons
- ✖ High cost when compared to other slate roof tiles
- ✖ Heavy, sometimes requiring additional roof support, and can be tricky to install
Fibre Cement Slate
Another popular choice is fibre cement slate. This is a more affordable alternative to natural slate at £22 to £30 per square metre. Fibre cement slate consists of sand, cellulose fibres, and cement.
Fibre cement used to include asbestos as well, but this stopped after the 1980s for health and safety reasons as the dangers of asbestos became clearer.
Pros
- ✔ Affordable compared to natural slate roof tiles
- ✔ Lightweight, and easier to install than natural slate
Cons
- ✖ Less durable than natural slate, with an average lifespan of 20 to 25 years
- ✖ More expensive to maintain than natural slate, requiring repainting every 10 to 15 years on average
Concrete Slate
Another low-costing choice is concrete slate roofing, costing £18 to £25 per square metre.
These slates comprise cement, sand, water and oxide. However, like fibre cement slates, concrete slates need plenty of maintenance and should be repainted every several years, but they can last for around 50 years or more if looked after properly.
Pros
- ✔ Budget-friendly slate option
- ✔ Durable, lasting around 50 years if well-maintained
Cons
- ✖ Susceptible to cracking in harsh weather
- ✖ Heavier than other slate tiles, may need structural reinforcement
Checklist: Hiring Contractors to Install a Slate Roof
Before hiring a professional to fit a slate roof, there are various tips worth taking on board. Let’s take a look at the advice we have.
- Ask family or friends for their trader recommendations if they've had their slate roofs done recently.
- Get at least 3 quotes from different roofers before making a decision.
- Check out any online ratings/reviews different slate roof installers have to see what past customers have said about their service.
- Get an itemised quote, clarifying if waste removal, skip hire, or scaffolding is included in the fee.
- Take a look at any photographs/videos of their previous work to get an idea of the quality of work you can expect.
FAQs
How do you cut slate roof tiles?
You could use a claw hammer, makeshift slater’s axe or angle grinder. Whenever you use any tool, ensure you have the suitable skills and knowledge for this work and take a safe approach.
When does a slate roof need replacing?
For the most part, a slate roof should last a lifetime and more. A modern slate roof should last for 125 years or more. However, individual slates could become worn down beyond repair or break and need replacing much sooner.
What distinguishes Spanish slate from regular slate roofing material?
Spanish slate is a metamorphic rock comprising fine-grained sediments that formed over several million years. It primarily contrasts UK slate in terms of its colour range, which is more limited to black and grey.
How can I figure out how old an existing slate roof is on my home? It was there when I arrived.
You should contact the previous homeowner or the actual manufacturer of the roof if you know who produced the roof. If you know how old your actual home is, then you probably already have the answer. However, it is possible the slate roof was added after your home was built, which is why it would be good to double-check with someone who knows.
What are some downsides of slate roofs worth considering along with the benefits?
Slate roofs are relatively heavy, and they are not cheap. While slate roofs can last a long time, they do require plenty of maintenance over time, as individual slates will likely break due to being brittle.
What are artificial slate roof tiles?
Synthetic slate tiles comprise recycled materials. They are designed to match the appearance of natural slate roof tiles but are less expensive to install. These are also known as composite slate roof tiles.
