How Much Does a Roofer Charge Per Hour in the UK? (2026 Guide)

How much does a roofer charge per hour in the UK? In 2026, roofers typically charge £25-£50 per hour, or £180-£350 per day, depending on their experience, location, and the type of roofing work. This guide breaks down roofer hourly rates across the UK, explains what drives the variation, and helps both roofers setting their rates and homeowners comparing quotes.
UK Roofer Hourly Rates in 2026
How much a roofer charges per hour varies by region and specialism:
| Region | Roofer hourly rate | Roofer day rate |
|---|---|---|
| London | £40-£60/hr | £280-£400/day |
| South East | £35-£55/hr | £240-£360/day |
| Midlands | £28-£45/hr | £200-£300/day |
| North of England | £25-£40/hr | £180-£280/day |
| Scotland/Wales | £24-£38/hr | £170-£260/day |
Based on Checkatrade roofing cost data, NFRC market reports, and industry benchmarks, 2026.
What Drives Roofer Hourly Rate Variation
How much a roofer charges per hour depends on several key factors:
Type of roofing work: Emergency repairs command the highest rates – often 1.5-2× the standard hourly rate for same-day response. Specialist work (slate, heritage tiles, lead work) commands a premium over standard tile replacement.
Flat vs pitched: Flat roofing (EPDM, GRP) specialists often charge more per hour than general pitched roofers due to the specialist materials knowledge required.
Accreditations: NFRC membership and relevant manufacturer certifications (e.g. Sarnafil, Firestone EPDM) justify higher hourly rates and unlock commercial opportunities.
Height and access complexity: Jobs requiring complex scaffold, MEWP, or difficult access command premium rates over and above the standard roofer hourly rate.
Roofer Day Rate vs Fixed Price vs Per-Square-Metre
Most experienced roofers use a combination of pricing methods:
Day rate (£180-£350/day): Used for repair work of indeterminate scope – the scale of a roof repair isn’t always clear until work starts.
Fixed price: Preferred by customers for full re-roofs and known scope work. Forces accurate measurement and specification upfront.
Per square metre (£60-£120/m² for tiled roof replacement): Common for new roofing or full strip and re-roof. Enables clear comparison between roofer quotes.
For emergency repairs and callouts, most roofers apply a minimum charge (typically £80-£200) in addition to their hourly rate.
How Roofers Should Calculate Their Minimum Hourly Rate
If you’re a roofer setting your rates, calculate your break-even before pricing any job:
- Annual overheads: van, insurance (higher for roofing due to height work), tools, scaffold costs, CSCS card – typically £12,000-£20,000/year for a roofing business
- Desired income: your target take-home after tax
- Billable days: approximately 180-210 days/year after weather delays (roofing is weather-dependent), holidays, and admin
- Divide: (overheads + desired income) ÷ billable days = minimum day rate
Note: roofing businesses have higher overheads than most trades due to insurance costs and weather-related downtime. Your minimum rate must reflect this.
See HMRC self-employment tax guidance for tax obligations.
Free calculator by CoreQuote — the quoting app for trades
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a roofer charge per hour for a small repair?
For small repairs, how much a roofer charges per hour is typically £30-£55, with a minimum call-out charge of 1-2 hours (£80-£150). See MyJobQuote’s roof repair costs for current market rates by repair type.
Is £250 a day reasonable for a roofer?
Yes. £250/day is within the normal range for a roofer in most UK regions in 2026. In London and the South East, this would be below average. The type of work matters – pitched roof repairs at £250/day is reasonable; specialist lead or flat roofing work would typically command more.
How much does it cost to re-roof a house?
A full re-roof (strip and replace) for a typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house costs £4,500-£12,000 in 2026, depending on the tile type, roof complexity, and region. See Checkatrade’s full re-roof cost guide for detailed breakdowns.
Do roofers charge extra for working in winter?
Weather conditions affect roofing work significantly. Some roofers apply a winter supplement for working in cold or wet conditions. Most factor difficult weather into their day rate year-round rather than seasonal pricing.
CoreQuote helps roofers build professional quotes with clear pricing – no more scribbled estimates. Try free for 6 months at kwowta.com.
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