If your roof in Linton has reached the end of its life, choosing the right contractor is the single most important decision you will make before any work begins.
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A roof replacement is not a small job. It means stripping everything back to the timber structure, inspecting the rafters and boarding for rot or damage, and re-roofing to current building standards using new felt underlay, battens, and tiles or slates. It is the right course of action when repairs have become repetitive, when more than a third of the tile coverage is failing, or when the underlay beneath the tiles has broken down entirely and water is tracking into the roof space.
We strip roofs back properly, check what is underneath, and re-roof to a standard that should see the covering last for decades without constant patching.
The work starts with scaffolding, which is non-negotiable for a full replacement on a two-storey or even a single-storey home. Once the old covering is stripped, the timber structure is checked carefully. Rafters that have sagged, split, or been weakened by long-term damp are repaired or sistered before the new covering goes on. Skipping this step is a false economy.
New roofing felt is laid from eaves to ridge, lapped correctly so any water that gets past the tiles drains out rather than pooling. New treated battens are fixed, and then the tiles or slates are laid from bottom to top with correct gauge and overlap. Ridge tiles are bedded or dry-fixed depending on the specification. Lead flashings at abutments, chimneys, and valleys are replaced at the same time, because old lead that has cracked or lifted will just let the new roof down.
A well-executed replacement typically costs between £5,000 and £15,000 for a standard semi-detached or detached home, depending on roof size, pitch, and material choice. Clay tiles, concrete tiles, and natural slate all sit at different price points and carry different expected lifespans. Natural slate, for instance, can last well over a century on a well-maintained structure.
This is where many homeowners come unstuck. A roof replacement is expensive and the work is out of sight once it is done, so choosing a contractor purely on price is genuinely risky. Here is what to ask and what to look for before you sign anything.
Any credible contractor should be able to tell you, in writing, exactly what materials they intend to use - the tile or slate type, the felt specification, the batten sizing, and how the ridge will be finished. If you receive a quote that simply says "re-roof dwelling, supply and fix tiles" with a single price, that is not enough. You cannot compare quotes meaningfully unless they are based on identical specifications.
Ask specifically: Is the felt being used BS 5534-compliant? Are the battens treated? What is the overlap on the tiles, and does it meet the manufacturer's minimum? These are not trick questions - a competent roofer should answer them without hesitation.
Once a roof is stripped, problems that were hidden sometimes appear. Ask each contractor how they handle this before they start. Is any remedial timber work included, or will it be quoted as an extra? What will they charge per rafter if repairs are needed? Getting clarity on this upfront prevents a nasty surprise halfway through the job.
Scaffolding should be included in any full replacement quote. If a contractor proposes to use ladders only, walk away. Ask who erects and takes down the scaffold - some roofers subcontract this and add a margin on top. That is not unusual, but knowing the arrangement helps you compare quotes fairly.
Also ask about protection for your property during the strip. Felt or tarpaulins should be available to cover the open roof if rain is forecast mid-job. Ask what the plan is if the weather turns.
Ask if you can speak to a previous customer whose roof they replaced, ideally in the local area. A contractor confident in their work will not hesitate. If they cannot or will not provide a reference, that tells you something. Photos on a phone or website are useful but no substitute for talking to someone whose roof you could drive past.
For a job in Linton or nearby villages, a local contractor with recent local work is worth seeking out specifically. They will be familiar with the tile types common to South Cambridgeshire, and they will not have travelled a long distance to reach you, which matters if there is a snag to come back and fix.
Three quotes is a sensible number. But three quotes are only useful if they are based on the same scope of work. When you contact each contractor, send them the same written brief describing what you know about the roof - its approximate size, whether it is a gable or hip roof, whether there is a chimney, and any known problems. This makes comparison much more straightforward.
Be wary of any quote that comes in dramatically lower than the others without a clear explanation. It usually means something is being left out - the scaffold, the underlay, the batten replacement, or the remedial timber work. Ask the contractor to explain what they have excluded.
A full roof strip produces a significant amount of debris - old tiles, broken slates, used felt, and old battens. Ask each contractor how the waste will be removed and who is responsible for the skip or disposal costs. Some contractors include a skip in their quote; others expect you to arrange it. Either approach is fine as long as you know in advance.
Ask about protection for your garden, paths, and any glazed extensions below the roof edge. Tiles dropping from height can cause serious damage. Good contractors use debris netting on the scaffold and sheet the ground below.
Moss on tiles is common, particularly on north-facing slopes. It does not by itself mean the roof needs replacing - but heavy moss growth can lift tiles slightly and hold moisture against the surface, accelerating wear. If your roof is otherwise sound, a biocide treatment and a gentle brush-down is sufficient. High-pressure washing is not advisable because it can dislodge granules from concrete tiles and force water under the laps. If you are replacing the roof anyway, the moss question becomes irrelevant - the new covering starts fresh.
We carry out roof replacements in Linton and the surrounding area.
Call Haverhill Roofers to arrange a roof survey in Linton. We will inspect the covering, the underlay, and the visible timbers, and give you a clear written breakdown of what the job involves and what it will cost. That gives you a solid specification to put to any other contractor you speak to, so your quotes are genuinely comparable.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
