A new roof is one of the bigger jobs a home will ever need, so it is natural to want a clear idea of the cost before you start. The honest answer is that every roof is different, but it helps to work from sensible ballpark figures. As a rough guide for 2026, a full re-roof of a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house in Essex tends to fall somewhere in the region of £6,500 to £14,000, depending on the materials, the size and pitch of the roof, and the condition of the timbers underneath.
The table below gives indicative ranges. Treat them as a starting point only, not a quote.
| Property / job | Indicative 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| Terraced house re-roof | £5,000 – £9,500 |
| 3-bed semi re-roof | £6,500 – £14,000 |
| Detached house re-roof | £9,000 – £20,000+ |
| Cost per m² (concrete tiles) | £90 – £160 |
| Cost per m² (natural slate) | £140 – £250+ |
| Scaffolding (typical house) | £900 – £2,500 |
Please note: these figures are illustrative only. Roofs vary enormously in size, shape, height and complexity, and prices move with materials and labour. The only way to know what your roof will cost is a proper survey.
Several things push the cost up or down, and understanding them helps you read a quote sensibly:
A new roof is not always the answer. If the covering is sound and only a section has slipped or a few tiles have blown off, a targeted repair is far cheaper and perfectly sensible. Replacement becomes the better value when the roof is reaching the end of its life, repairs are becoming frequent, or the underlying felt and battens have failed across the whole roof. If you are unsure which camp you are in, our guide to the signs your roof needs replacing walks through the warning signs in plain terms.
An accurate price always starts with someone getting up on the roof and looking at it properly. Be wary of figures quoted over the phone or from the pavement without an inspection, as they often miss the very things that change the cost. A good quote should be written down, itemised, and explain what materials are being used and what guarantee comes with the work.
At Bradshaw Roofing we have been re-roofing homes across Colchester and Essex for over 20 years. Every new roof and re-roofing job begins with a free, no-obligation survey and photographs of what we find, so the quote you receive reflects your actual roof rather than a generic estimate. All of our re-roofs are backed by a 10-year guarantee. If you would like a clear, honest figure for your property, we are always happy to come and take a look.
Tell us about your roof and we'll get back to you quickly with a transparent, tailored quote - photos of the problem included if you need them.
