A full roof replacement in Eastbourne runs strip, survey, batten, felt and re-tile over 4–6 days for a typical semi. Expect £7,000–£12,000 including scaffold, VAT and dry-fix ridge. Coastal properties need code 4–5 lead and stainless fixings. Always get a written itemised quote and confirm a 10-year workmanship guarantee.
A full roof replacement is one of the most significant investments an Eastbourne homeowner makes. Done correctly — with the right materials for local conditions, the right specification for the property type, and a contractor you can trust — a new roof is a 30–50 year asset that protects everything in your home. Done poorly, it is a source of leaks, callbacks and disputes within 5 years. This guide explains every stage of the process from the first survey to the final guarantee certificate.
Stage 1: The Survey
A proper re-roof survey covers more than the tile surface. We inspect: the tile or slate condition; the ridge, hip and verge bedding; all lead valleys, flashings and soakers; chimney condition; loft access to inspect batten condition, felt condition and any structural concerns; and guttering and roofline condition. The survey produces a written report that identifies what needs doing, what can be retained, and any structural issues that need addressing before the roof goes on.
Be cautious of any contractor who quotes for a full re-roof without accessing your loft. Batten condition — one of the key variables in re-roof cost — cannot be assessed from outside.
Stage 2: Material Selection
BS 5534 requires that all ridge and hip tiles on new and re-covered roofs be mechanically fixed, ending the older mortar-only bedding that fails readily under Eastbourne's coastal wind exposure.
Source: BS 5534:2014+A2:2018, Slating and tiling
For Eastbourne properties, material selection is influenced by three factors: the property type, any conservation area requirements, and the coastal specification requirements.
Conservation area properties (Meads, Old Town): Welsh slate or handmade clay peg tile is required. The conservation officer's approved materials list specifies acceptable alternatives. No concrete tile is permitted.
Standard Eastbourne properties: Concrete interlocking tile is the most economical choice. Modern clay tile is a mid-range option with better aesthetics and longer lifespan. Natural Welsh slate is the premium option with the longest lifespan.
For all Eastbourne properties regardless of tile choice: code 4 minimum lead, dry-fix ridge on exposed elevations, and GRP (not felt) for any flat roof sections.
Stage 3: The Work
A complete Eastbourne re-roof involves: scaffold erection (full scaffold for all properties, included in our price); full strip of all existing tiles, battens and felt; structural inspection from inside the loft and on the deck; new BS 5534 breathable felt membrane; new treated timber battens to current gauge; new tiles or slates to agreed specification; all lead valleys, flashings, soakers and aprons replaced; ridge and hip completion in dry-fix on exposed elevations; site cleaned at the end of every working day.
Stage 4: Completion and Guarantee
On completion, we carry out a final inspection and agree any snagging items. Our written 10-year workmanship guarantee certificate is issued on the day the job is signed off. We confirm all lead specifications in writing, including the code grade used on each application. For conservation area properties, we provide documentation confirming the materials used satisfy the approved specification.
What Can Go Wrong and How to Avoid It
The most common re-roof failures we are called to assess — on other contractors' work — involve: incorrect lead specification (code 3 on a coastal property); mortar-bedded ridges on exposed elevations; inadequate deck inspection that missed batten deterioration; and poorly detailed junctions at dormers, chimneys and valleys. All of these are preventable with correct specification and a proper pre-work survey.
Ask your contractor before work starts: what lead code will be used, what ridge system, and what felt specification. These are not details — they are the decisions that determine whether the roof lasts 10 years or 40 years.
Starting the Process for Your Eastbourne Re-Roof
The first step is a free survey. We attend, inspect the full roof including from inside the loft where accessible, and provide a written report and itemised quote within 48 hours. The quote covers every element of the job — scaffold, skip, felt specification, batten specification, tile or slate type and source, ridge system, lead specification, and guarantee terms. We answer questions before, during and after the job. The process is straightforward when the contractor is transparent. Call us to arrange a free re-roof survey for your Eastbourne property.
Getting Professional Advice for Your Eastbourne Property
The guidance in this article applies to Eastbourne and East Sussex properties specifically. Local conditions — the coastal climate, the specific housing eras, the conservation area requirements — mean that generic UK roofing advice is not always applicable here. If you have a specific question about your Eastbourne property after reading this guide, call us. We carry out free surveys and give honest advice at no charge. We have been working on Eastbourne properties since 2003 and understand the specific requirements of every housing type and location in this area — from the Victorian seafront villas of Meads to the 1960s–80s estates of Ratton and Shinewater.
Free re-roof survey and itemised quote — Eastbourne and East Sussex
0132 336 5960