Service
How Long Does a New Roof Take?
Most reroofs take less time than people expect and more days on the calendar than the working days suggest — because scaffold, weather and hidden timber repairs all sit outside the labour estimate.
- Terrace or small semi: around 3–5 working days
- Standard semi: around 4–7 working days
- Detached: around 6–10 working days
- Scaffold adds a day either side
- Timber repairs can add time mid-job
- We never strip into a bad forecast
Working days versus calendar days
A quoted five-day roof rarely means five consecutive days. Scaffold typically goes up a day or two before and comes down a few days after handover. Add a bad-weather day or two through most of the year, and a five-day job comfortably occupies a fortnight of calendar. We give you both figures at quote stage so you can plan.
What genuinely adds time
Rotten rafter feet or battens found once the covering is off is the most common one — we photograph and price it before continuing rather than carrying on and adding it at the end. Chimneys, multiple valleys, dormers and complex leadwork all add days because they're hand-formed details. Difficult access can add scaffold time before anyone touches the roof.
- ▸Timber repairs discovered at strip
- ▸Chimneys, valleys and dormer detailing
- ▸Restricted or shared access
- ▸Weather — particularly wind, not just rain
Living with the work
The property stays weathertight every night. It's noisy during the strip — usually the first day or two — and quieter after that. Skips or grab lorries need a space; if that's on-street we sort any permit in advance. We keep drives clear where we can and magnet-sweep for nails before we finish.
FAQs
Can you work in winter?+
Yes — wind is the limiting factor more than cold or rain. We don't strip in high winds, for obvious safety reasons.
How much notice do you need?+
It varies with the season. Autumn and after storms are busiest; we'll give you an honest lead time rather than a hopeful one.
Will the job overrun the quote if it takes longer?+
Not for weather or our own scheduling. Additional work found during the strip is quoted and agreed before we do it.
Related reading
Other pages homeowners usually look at alongside this one.
Need Roofing Work You Can Rely On?
Speak with Butler Bespoke Roofing for honest advice, a free site visit and a clear, written quote anywhere across Buckinghamshire.