Renewing the roof

Roofs protect us from all Dutch weather conditions, such as rain showers, wind gusts and also the sun. It is therefore important that our roofs are in top condition. Unfortunately, every so often it is necessary to renew your roof. Read here about renewing your roof, the costs, permits and handy tips so that you will soon have the perfect protection above your head.

What does it cost to renew your roof?

By renewing your roof on time, you will ensure that the roof construction remains moisture-free. The cost of renewing your roof varies widely. See the price overview below for average prices per type of roofing.

When is your roof due for renewal?

A roof should be strong enough to support twice its own weight. This is because during heavy rain or snowfall, the load on the roof is heavy. Do you suffer from leaks or is the life span of your roof covering over? Then it is time to renew your roof.

Replace the roofing on a flat roof only after 40 years on average. Pitched roofing lasts an average of 70 years. Rainwater and dirt easily wash off the sloping roof. See below for the average lifespan per type of roofing.

Renovate sloping roof

Sloping roofs last a very long time. This is because leaves, rainwater and dirt easily slide off the roofs. Yet after decades, extreme weather conditions play their toll. If the roof no longer keeps rainwater out, it is time to renew the roofing. The cheapest type of roofing on pitched roofs is tiles, costing on average £60 per m2.

Renovating a pitched roof is dangerous work. It is a lot safer if the right measures are taken. The roofer installs special scaffolding so that working is safe and easy. After erecting the scaffolding, the renewal of the roof begins. Roofers often use tiles, thatch or metal roofing for renewing pitched roofs. Will you opt for roof tiles? Then the cost of a whole new roof per sq m will be the lowest.

Roofers work as follows when renewing a pitched roof:

• Placing special scaffolding around the roof;
• removing the old roofing material;
• removing insulation layer and roof sheets if necessary;
• stretching tarpaulins over the open roof to protect the house in the meantime;
• placement of new roof sheets and possibly roof insulation;
• application of new roofing;
• waterproofing of the chimney;
• eventually installation of new gutters.

The time a roofer spends renewing the roof depends on the type of roofing material.

Replace flat roof

The roofing on a flat roofhas a hard time. Rain and dirt often linger for a long time, making the lifespan of flat roofs shorter than sloping roofs. Roofers often use bitumen, EPDM or PVC to renew flat roofs. The cost of flat roof replacement is relatively low, this is because of the cheaper materials. Cheap EPDM and bitumen are available from as little as £45 per m2.

Roofers proceed as follows when renewing a flat roof:

• Removing or drying and dust-freeing the old roofing material;
• Applying any roof insulation;
• Folding the new roofing material with glue (EPDM and PVC) or a torch (bitumen and PVC)
• Sweeping the new layers of roofing material;
• finishing the roof edges, sealing the seams so that it is completely watertight;
• placing eaves for a nice finish of the renewed roof.

The time a roofer spends renewing the roof depends on the type of roofing material.

Tip: Save through roof insulation

Did you know that up to 30% of the heat in your home is lost through the roof? Roof insulation helps you retain heat and you’re going to notice this in your falling energy bills. On average, you will save up to £400 a year with roof insulation. Therefore, while renewing the roofing, have roof insulationinstalled right away. The average cost of having roof insulation installed is between £40 and £115 per m2. In just about all cases, you will recoup the investment of roof insulation.

Permit roof renewal

The renewal of roofing is in principle permit-free. If in doubt, visit the municipality to avoid hassle afterwards. There are a few exceptions where a permit application to the municipality is required:

• If you live in a listed building or a protected village view.
• If the roof becomes thicker, for instance because of roof insulation.

Please note: If you choose a different type or colour of roof, you do not need a permit. But keep in mind that the municipality can stop the change (even afterwards). The municipality will then determine that the change seriously violates reasonable standards of appearance. It is therefore wise to visit your local council beforehand when changing the type of roofing.

Saving tips on roof renovation

Renovating your roof is quite an investment. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save without directly compromising on quality. See below for tips on how to save.

Compare roofing quotes

Save easily by comparing roofing quotes. This is because there are many roofers, all of whom charge different prices. For instance, the price for renewing a roof can vary by up to 30 per cent. Compare not only the total cost, but also what is/isn’t included such as VAT, call-out charges and removal of the old roofing. In addition to costs, pay attention to delivery times, warranty terms, reviews and whether the roofer holds any quality marks.

Check quality marks

Check whether the roofing company is a member of VEBIDAK. Roofers affiliated to VEBIDAK have trained staff who work under safe working conditions. In addition, these roofers have an eye for sustainability and the environment. So you can be sure that your roof renovation is in good hands.

Negotiate quantity discounts

There is a very good chance that your neighbour’s roof is also in need of renovation. After all, the roof was installed at the same time and has faced the same weather conditions. If you have your roofs done together, negotiate the volume discount with the roofer.