SA RoofingHow much does roof repair cost in Dublin?
Roof repair prices in Dublin vary a lot from one house to the next, so this guide explains what pushes a price up or down and gives broad, hedged ranges for common jobs.
- A few slates or tiles
- Roughly €150 to €400
- Ridge or chimney flashing
- Roughly €400 to €1,200
- Scaffolding, if needed
- Roughly €500 to €1,500
- Price
- Free written quote after a visit
How much does a roof repair cost in Dublin?
As a rough guide, replacing a few slipped slates or tiles on a Dublin house typically costs around €150 to €400, while re-bedding a ridge or renewing chimney flashing usually runs €400 to €1,200. Scaffolding, where needed, adds roughly €500 to €1,500. Access and hidden damage decide the final price, so get a free quote after an inspection.
Why there is no single price for a roof repair
Most people ringing a roofer want a number before anyone has looked at the roof, and that is completely understandable. The honest answer is that two jobs described the same way on the phone can turn out very different once a ladder goes up. A couple of slipped slates on a single storey extension is a short job, while the same slipped slates on the front of a three storey Victorian house in Rathmines may need scaffolding, a scaffolding licence from the council if it stands on the footpath, and a careful look at the battens underneath.
What follows is a breakdown of the factors that actually decide the price, then some rough guide figures for typical Dublin jobs. Treat the figures as a starting point for budgeting only. They reflect broad market ranges rather than SA Roofing's own prices, and every roof is quoted individually after an inspection.
Not sure what yours needs? WhatsApp us a photo and we will tell you what it looks like.
WhatsApp a photoOr get a free quoteThe main things that drive the cost
Access and height
Access is often the single biggest variable. A bungalow or a low extension can usually be reached safely with ladders and roof ladders, which keeps labour time down. Two storey semi detached houses are usually manageable too, but taller houses, steep pitches, conservatories in the way or a roof over a busy road may need a mobile tower or full scaffolding. Scaffolding on its own can add several hundred euro, and more on larger or terraced properties where neighbours' access has to be considered.
Roof covering and materials
Natural slate takes longer to repair than concrete tile because each slate has to be cut, holed and fixed with copper or stainless steel clips (often called tingles) where it cannot be nailed. Matching older slates can also take time. Concrete tiles are quicker to replace, although some older profiles are no longer made and second hand tiles may need to be sourced. Lead flashing, valley linings and ridge mortar each bring their own material costs.
How far the damage has spread
A leak that has been running for months usually costs more to fix than one caught early. Water that gets past the slates soaks into felt, battens and sometimes rafters and ceilings. A repair that starts as a handful of slates can turn into a section of new battens and membrane once the roofer sees what is underneath, which is why a proper inspection matters before any price is fixed.
Time of year and urgency
Emergency call outs after a storm involve working at short notice and sometimes in poor weather, so they generally cost more than a planned repair. If the problem can safely wait a few days, a scheduled visit is usually better value.
Rough guide ranges for common Dublin roof repairs
As a rough guide only. SA Roofing gives a free written quote after inspecting the roof.
The ranges below are broad market figures for a typical Dublin house with reasonable access, not SA Roofing's prices. They exclude scaffolding unless stated and can move up or down quite a bit depending on the roof.
| Job | Rough Dublin range |
|---|---|
| Replacing a few slipped or broken slates or tiles | Roughly €150 to €400 |
| Rebedding and repointing a ridge or hip line | Roughly €400 to €1,200 |
| Repairing or replacing lead flashing around a chimney | Roughly €400 to €1,200 |
| Relining a valley | Roughly €800 to €2,000 |
| Patch repair on a small felt or torch-on flat roof | Roughly €250 to €600 |
| Scaffolding for a standard two storey house front, if needed | Roughly €500 to €1,500 |
Repair or replace, and how the decision affects cost
On older Dublin roofs there comes a point where repeated repairs stop making sense. If slates are delaminating across the whole roof, if nail sickness (where the original fixings rust through) is causing slates to slide all over, or if the felt underneath has perished, patching individual areas tends to move the problem around rather than solve it. In those cases a roofer may suggest replacing one elevation, or the whole roof covering, so that you are not paying for scaffolding and call outs every winter.
The same logic applies to flat roofs. A single blister or split on a newer torch-on roof is normally a simple repair, but an old felt roof with soft decking and water pooling in several places is usually better replaced. Our article on flat roof repair versus replacement goes through the signs in more detail.
Why an inspection matters before any price is agreed
A photograph from the garden rarely tells the full story. Water can travel some distance along felt and rafters before it shows on a ceiling, so the stain in your bedroom may be a metre or two away from the actual entry point. A roofer who prices a job without looking may be guessing, and guesses tend to end in either an inflated quote or extra charges halfway through the work.
During an inspection a good roofer will check the area of the leak, the flashings, the ridge, the valleys and the gutters, and will explain what they found. Ask for photographs of anything they recommend fixing. It is reasonable to expect a clear written quote that sets out the work, the materials and whether scaffolding is included.
If you are trying to work out where water is getting in, our guide to what causes roof leaks covers the usual suspects on Irish houses.
A short checklist for getting a fair quote
- Note when the leak or damage appears (heavy rain, wind from a particular direction, or all the time)
- Take photos of any ceiling stains, fallen slates or damage visible from the ground
- Ask whether scaffolding or a tower is included in the price
- Check that the roofer is fully insured for working at height
- Get the scope of work in writing before anything starts
- Ask what happens if more damage is found once the roof is opened
Keeping repair costs down over time
Small, regular maintenance is far cheaper than a large repair. Keeping gutters clear of moss and leaves stops water backing up under the first course of slates, and replacing a slipped slate promptly prevents rain from soaking the battens over a winter. Moss is a particular issue on north facing Dublin roofs, where it holds moisture against the slates and can be washed into gutters and downpipes. A look at the roof after any major Atlantic storm is also worthwhile, as one or two lifted slates are easy to miss from the ground. If the damage followed a storm, check your policy before work starts, and our guide to whether a roof leak is covered by home insurance explains the usual line between storm damage and wear and tear.
SA Roofing carries out roof repairs across Dublin, from slipped slates and lead flashing to flat roof patches, and handles storm damage roof repairs when the damage cannot wait. For a real figure on your own roof, send us a photo of the damage on WhatsApp so we can judge the access and how urgent it is, and we will give you a free written quote once we have inspected it. If the work is for someone aged 66 or over, or for a vacant house being brought back into use, our guide to grants that can pay for roof work explains the two schemes that do.
Frequently asked questions
Can you give me a price for a roof repair over the phone?
We can talk through the problem and give a general idea of what might be involved, but an accurate price really depends on access, the roof covering and what is underneath the damage. That is why we inspect first and then give a free quote.
Does a roof repair always need scaffolding?
Many repairs on bungalows, extensions and two storey houses can be done safely from ladders and roof ladders. Taller buildings, steep roofs or awkward access can require a tower or scaffolding, and that will be made clear in the quote.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace an old slate roof?
A single repair is always cheaper in the short term. If the slates and fixings are failing across the whole roof, though, repeated repairs can end up costing more than replacing the covering, especially when scaffolding is needed each time.
Do emergency roof repairs cost more?
Generally yes, because the work is done at short notice and sometimes in poor conditions. Often the emergency visit makes the roof watertight with a temporary repair, and the permanent repair is then carried out and priced separately.
How much does it cost to fix a roof that only leaks in heavy rain?
The price depends on what is letting the water in rather than on how often it leaks. Most heavy-rain leaks come from a flashing, a slipped slate or tile, or a blocked valley or gutter, which are among the smaller repairs in the table above. Our guide to a roof leaking in heavy rain explains how each one is traced.