Slate Roof Cost

How Much Does a New Slate Roof Cost?

The average cost of slate roof installation in the UK will be around £7,800. However, the price will vary depending on various factors such as the size of your property, location, material costs and the overall design of the roof.

So, how much for a new slate roof?

As a guide, it would cost approximately:

• £3,100 to £3,700 to slate a terrace roof
• £7,000 to £8,600 to slate an average, semi-detached home
• £9,700 and £12,300 to add a slate roof to a bungalow or a detached house

Slate Roof Prices

Let's look at some total roof slate prices for terraced, semi-detached, bungalow, and detached roofs:

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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:

Roof Insulation Cost

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 - £380 to £420
• Mineral Wool Roll Insulation - £400 to £480
• Spray Insulation - £700 to £900
• Warm Deck Insulation Boards - £600 to £700

*These prices are based on covering a 20m² area, and would also depend on the type/pitch of your roof.

Gutter Replacement Cost

Your property's gutters will be temporarily removed while your roofer works on your slate roof, so it's a good time to check them over.

If you haven't kept up with cleaning your gutters and are experiencing poor drainage and suspected water damage, it might be time to replace them.

You can expect gutter replacement costs of around £650.

Fascia and Soffit Capping Cost

Gutters are attached to fascia boards, so while you're working on your roof, it can make sense to get them capped if they're still in good condition, but could use some TLC. If your gutters haven't been working as they should, your property's soffits will also have been impacted by water damage.

You must ensure that your existing boards are in good condition - dry, free from rot and signs of pest infestations - before factoring in the cost of fascia and soffit capping to your roofing project.

This will cost you an extra £800, and can significantly improve both the appearance and the longevity of your property's exterior.

Slate Roofer Costs and Timescales

Depending on the complexity of your slate roof project, your roofer's labour costs will range:

• Basic, straightforward installations will cost between £40 to £55 per m²
• Complex, steep pitched installations will cost between £60 to £75 per m²

You may be quoted a daily roofer rate instead of a price per square metre. In 2026, a roofer's daily rate is between £200 to £275.

The location of your property will also influence your labour fees. You should expect higher prices in London and the surrounding areas compared to those in the north of the UK.

The bigger your property's roof, the longer the job will take your roofer:

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What Impacts Slate Roof Installation Costs?

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.

Let's now break down the cost-affecting factors in more detail. We’ll explain these factors and how they can 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.

Slate Material

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.

• Natural UK slate - £60 to £75 per m²
• Spanish slate - £30 to £38 per m²

You can also choose slate-like tiles, such as composite or tiles designed to mimic the appearance of natural slate:

• Fibre cement slate - £22 to £30 per m²
• Concrete slate - £18 to £25 per m²
• Metal slate - £40 to £80 per m²
• Composite synthetic slate - £40 to £80 per m²

Ease of Access

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

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.

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. However, this is a job best left to the professionals as there's a lot of skill and knowledge required plus working at height is a dangerous job with the risk of slipping if you're not taking the necessary safety measures.

In order to hire the right tradesemen for the job, it's widely recommended to gather multiple quotes so you can get the best price and help decide who you should use to install your slate roof. By using MyJobQuote you can have confidence in finding experienced roofers in your area, with no obligation to go ahead with the work.

Before slate roof construction can get underway, it’s important to know the angle or pitch of the roof so that the correct overlap can be calculated. Different slate tiles suit different roof pitches, so ensuring the correct slates are being installed is essential.

During the process, here's what you can expect:

Before the Job Starts

• Preparing the Roof — If the roof is new or has been stripped back, the rafters must be checked to ensure there are no nails or protruding elements. This prevents damage to the breathable membrane during installation.
• Building Scaffolding — If required, scaffolding should be added before any work begins. This is particularly important for roofs that are high or difficult to access safely with a ladder.

During the Job

• Old Roof Removal — When replacing an existing roof, the first step is to remove the old roof covering before work on the new slate roof can begin.
• Membrane Installation — The breathable membrane is rolled out, pulled taut, and nailed securely into position to provide an effective protective layer beneath the slates.
• Battens Installation — The first battens and tiles are positioned to calculate the exact number of battens required. Additional battens are then added one by one, working from the top of the roof downwards.
• Slate Fixing — The first row of slate tiles is installed with the established overlap. The remaining rows are added in sequence, with tiles secured using suitable fasteners or nails.
• Fixings and Ridge Tiles — Nails may be made from aluminium, copper, galvanised steel, or stainless steel. Suitable ridge tiles are also installed to complete the slate roof system.

After the Job

• Final Clean-Up — Once everything is safe and firmly in position, the clean-up can begin. Any debris is removed from the site.
• Scaffold Removal — If scaffolding was been used, it can then be disassembled and taken away, leaving the finished slate roof in place.

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

Roofing work must comply with building regulations, such as needing to be durable, weather-resistant, and suitable for the roof’s design.

The slates used in pitched roofs are partly determined by the roof’s pitch, as different slates are designed to perform at specific slopes. If a roof is close to a boundary, then materials must also meet specific fire-performance requirements.

Ventilation requirements depend on the roof construction, for example, warm roof systems (with insulation installed above the rafters or joists) generally don't require ventilation due to their design. However, older cold roof systems usually need airflow through the roof space to manage moisture control effectively.

Planning Permission

Replacing or repairing a slate roof is generally considered a permitted development, and as such no planning permission is required. This is provided the work doesn't significantly change the shape of the roof, increase its height, or create additional storeys.

Planning permission may be needed where roofing work forms part of a larger alteration or involves significant changes. If there is any uncertainty, homeowners should contact their local council for advice, as obtaining planning approval can take several weeks where required.

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.

Natural slate costs about £60 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
• ✖ Can be more expensive to maintain than natural slate if become damaged
• ✖ May require repainting over time, depending on exposure to the elements

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, one thing with concrete slates is that they may periodically require maintenance work, such as reapplying surface treatment but if looked after properly they can last for around 50 years or more.

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:

• Have you found any suitable recommendations? Ask family or friends if they’ve had slate roofing work carried out recently and whether they can share the contact details of the tradesmen they used.
• Do they have evidence of positive feedback? Check online ratings and reviews on websites such as MyJobQuote to see what previous customers have said about their workmanship and reliability.
• Have you seen examples of their work? Look through photographs or videos of previous projects to get a clearer idea of the quality of work you can expect.
• Are they covered by insurance? While not a legal requirement, most reputable tradesmen will carry Public Liability Insurance to cover accidental damage or personal injury.
• Have you received multiple quotes? For slate roof installation or repairs, it’s wise to obtain at least three quotes so you can compare pricing and the scope of work, which can be requested via MyJobQuote with no obligation.
• Does the work come with a guarantee? Any trustworthy company should stand by their work, so always ask for written confirmation of guarantees or warranties outlining exactly what’s covered once the job is complete.

FAQs