🏠 Trusted Local Roofers
New Roof Installation Market Harborough
A worn-out roof does not fix itself, and every winter it holds on costs you more. If your tiles keep slipping, the ridge is loose, or damp keeps coming through, a full new roof often works out cheaper than one more patch. Tate & Sons Roofing handles new roof installation in Market Harborough and across the Welland Valley, from a single-storey extension to a full house re-roof.
This page walks you through when a new roof makes sense, which covering suits your home, what it really costs, and what a fitting job looks like start to finish. You get a free drone survey and a written price before any work begins — no scaffold just to take a look, and no charge either way. A new roof is one part of the wider service we offer as a roofing contractor across Market Harborough.
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Know When a Patch Runs Out and a New Roof Pays for Itself
One slipped tile is a repair. A roof that fails in a new spot every winter is telling you something else. Once the same faults keep coming back, a new roof stops being the expensive option.
Watch for these signs across a Market Harborough home:
- Tiles slipping or cracking after every spell of wind or frost
- Damp patches on upstairs ceilings that keep coming back
- A sagging ridge line or a dip you can see from the street
- Daylight showing through the roof space during the day
- Piles of grit in the gutters from worn concrete tiles
- Old, brittle felt hanging in strips under the tiles
Age matters too. A concrete tile roof past 40 years, or old felt gone brittle, rarely has much left to give. We see this on 1960s and 1970s homes around Little Bowden and Desborough, where the original roof has done its time. When repairs start stacking up two or three a year, a new roof usually costs less over five years than the patches would. If you are on the fence between fixing and replacing, our Roof Replacement & Re-roofing page breaks down that choice in more detail.
Choose the Right Covering and Only Pay for a Roof Once
The covering you pick sets the price, the look and how long the roof lasts. In short: concrete tile is the budget all-rounder most homes here already wear; clay tile brings a warmer, traditional look that suits period property; natural slate costs the most upfront but lasts the longest by far; metal suits modern, low-pitch and awkward shapes; flat systems cover garages, dormers and extensions. The right choice depends on your home, your budget and how long you plan to stay. A survey settles it in plain terms.
A few points worth knowing before you decide:
| :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: |
| Covering | Typical cost (per m², fitted) | Typical lifespan | Best for |
| Concrete tile | £40–£70 | 30–50 years | Budget re-roofs; the most common tile across the district |
| Clay tile | £70–£110 | 60–100 years | Period homes wanting a warm, traditional finish |
| Natural slate | £80–£140 | 80–100+ years | Heritage and premium homes; the longest life of all |
| Metal (standing seam) | £50–£90 | 40–60 years | Modern extensions, low pitches and complex shapes |
| Flat systems (EPDM/GRP) | £50–£130 | 20–40 years | Garages, dormers and extension roofs |
- **Concrete tile*is the workhorse of Market Harborough roofs. It costs the least upfront and does a solid job, which is why most homes here already wear it.
- **Clay tile*holds its colour for decades and gives an older home its proper character. It suits many of the period cottages around Great Bowden and Medbourne.
- **Natural slate*can outlast the people living under it. The upfront price is the highest, but spread across 80 years it often works out cheaper than tile you replace twice.
- **Metal*is light and sheds water well on a shallow pitch. It fits modern extensions and roofs where tile would struggle to sit.
Ryan Tate, who runs our full re-roofs and site work, fits these coverings week in, week out. He will talk you through which one suits your home, your budget and how long you want it to last — in plain English, not sales talk.
What a New Roof Really Costs in Market Harborough
Cost comes down to three things: the covering, the roof size, and access. A bigger, steeper or boxed-in roof costs more to reach and to fit.
As a general guide across Market Harborough, a full pitched re-roof runs roughly £70–£120 per square metre, materials and labour together. A three-bed semi with a 60–80m² roof usually lands between £6,000 and £9,000. A larger detached house of 100m² or more often runs £8,000–£15,000, and natural slate can push higher again. A smaller terraced roof tends to sit around £5,000–£7,500.
What moves a price up or down:
- **Covering*— slate and clay cost more than concrete tile per square metre
- **Roof size and pitch*— a bigger, steeper roof takes more material and more labour
- **Access and scaffold*— a roof boxed in behind an extension costs more to reach
- **Timber condition*— rotten battens or rafters found on strip-off add to the job
- **Extras*— new felt, ridge, gutters or a chimney flashing all factor in
These are general market ranges, not a quote for your roof. Two houses the same size can price very differently once access and timber condition come into it. The only way to a firm figure is a proper survey — which is exactly what our free drone survey gives you, followed by a clear written price with nothing added later. A fixed price needs a survey.
From Strip-Off to Sign-Off: How We Fit Your New Roof
A new roof follows the same order on every job we run in Market Harborough:
- Scaffold goes up so the crew works safely from all sides
- Old tiles, felt and battens stripped back to the rafters
- Rafters checked and any rotten or split timber replaced
- New breathable felt and battens laid across the whole roof
- New covering fitted, with fresh ridge, flashings and edges
- Site cleared, gutters checked, and the finished roof signed off
Most house re-roofs take one to two weeks, weather allowing. A single extension or a smaller roof can be quicker. We give you a realistic timeframe before work starts, not an optimistic one to win the job. You will know who is turning up and roughly how long they will be there.
A new roof also has to meet Building Regulations, even when it does not need planning permission. Most like-for-like re-roofs sit within permitted development, but the work still has to meet standards for weather, insulation and ventilation. The Planning Portal building regulations for new roofs guidance sets out what a compliant roof has to do. We handle the Building Control side as part of the job, so the paperwork never lands back on you.
Get the Structure and Ventilation Right, Sleep Dry for Decades
A new roof is only as good as what sits under the tiles. The timber frame, the felt and the ventilation all decide whether the roof lasts its full life. Skip these and even the best slate will let you down early.
We check the rafters and battens on every strip-off, before a single new tile goes down. Rotten or undersized timber gets put right first, because there is no fitting a lasting roof over a weak frame. Where a roof needs the frame rebuilt or altered, our Pitched Roof Construction service covers that structural work in full.
Ventilation matters just as much on homes around Lubenham and Kibworth Beauchamp. Modern breathable felt lets the roof space breathe, so warm, damp air does not sit against cold timber and rot it. Get the airflow right at fitting stage and you head off condensation for good. It always costs more to fix later, once staining or a musty smell has set in below.
Why Market Harborough Homeowners Call Tate & Sons First
You are not just buying tiles — you are buying whoever fits them. Ryan Tate runs our full re-roofs and site work, and he is part of the same crew that turns up to fit your roof, not just the man who quoted it. He holds an NVQ in Roofing Occupations and fits slate, tile and metal roofs across the Harborough District all year round.
Founder Michael Tate surveys the jobs himself and built Tate & Sons on one rule: fix the cause, not just the symptom — never patch a roof to look right for a season and fail again the next. Between us we carry over 45 years of combined experience, hold NVQ Level 2 and 3 qualifications in Roofing Occupations, and keep CSCS cards and NFRC trade-body membership. That means directly employed roofers on your job in Market Harborough, not a chain of subcontractors you never meet. Read more about the people behind the work on our About Tate & Sons Roofing page.
Areas We Serve Across Market Harborough and the Welland Valley
We fit new roofs across Market Harborough and the surrounding villages, from Foxton near the locks out to Husbands Bosworth. If your area is not on the list below, call us anyway — if you are nearby, there is a strong chance we cover you.
- Market Harborough (LE16)
- Great Bowden (LE16 7)
- Little Bowden (LE16 8)
- Lubenham (LE16 9)
- Foxton (LE16 7)
- Medbourne (LE16 8)
- Kibworth Beauchamp (LE8)
- Great Glen (LE8 9)
- Fleckney (LE8 8)
- Husbands Bosworth (LE17 6)
- Desborough (NN14 2)
Got Questions?
Your New Roof Questions, Answered Properly
How long does a new roof last?
It depends on the covering, but a well-fitted roof lasts decades. Concrete tile gives 30 to 50 years, clay tile 60 to 100, and natural slate 80 to 100 or more. Metal roofs run 40 to 60 years, while flat systems on garages and extensions last 20 to 40. Fitting quality and ventilation matter as much as the material, which is why we get the timber and airflow right underneath before the covering goes on.
Do I need planning permission for a new roof?
Most like-for-like re-roofs do not need planning permission in England. Replacing a worn roof with a similar covering usually sits within permitted development. Planning permission comes into it if you change the roof shape, raise the height, or use a covering that alters the look, and listed buildings or conservation areas need consent first. Even without planning permission, the work still has to meet Building Regulations, which we handle as part of the job.
How long does it take to install a new roof?
Most house re-roofs take one to two weeks, weather allowing. A single extension or a smaller terraced roof can be done quicker, while a large detached house or natural slate takes longer. Bad weather can add days, since stripping a roof and leaving it open in heavy rain is never worth the risk. We give you a realistic timeframe before we start, and we keep you posted if the weather moves things.
What is the best roof covering for a UK house?
There is no single best covering — it depends on your home, budget and how long you plan to stay. Concrete tile gives the best value upfront and suits most homes across Market Harborough. Clay tile and natural slate cost more but last far longer and suit period property. Metal works well on modern, low-pitch and awkward roofs, and a survey is the surest way to match the right covering to your roof.
How much does a new roof cost in Market Harborough?
As a general guide, a full pitched re-roof runs roughly £70 to £120 per square metre, materials and labour together. A three-bed semi usually lands between £6,000 and £9,000, while a larger detached house often runs £8,000 to £15,000 or more. The covering, roof size, access and timber condition all move the figure. A free drone survey gives you an exact written price rather than a rough estimate over the phone, because a fixed price always needs a survey first.
Can you fit a new roof over the old one?
No — we always strip the old roof back to the rafters first. Fitting new tiles over old ones hides rotten timber and worn felt, and it loads the frame with weight it was never built to carry. Stripping off lets us check every rafter and batten, replace anything soft, and lay fresh breathable felt underneath. That is the only way to a roof that lasts its full life rather than one that looks fine and fails early.
What is the best time of year to have a new roof fitted?
You can fit a new roof in any season, though settled, dry spells make the work smoother. Spring through autumn tends to give the steadiest run of dry days across the Welland Valley. Winter work is still doable, and we plan the strip-off around the forecast so the roof is never left open to heavy rain. If your roof is failing now, do not wait for summer — an urgent leak is cheaper to fix before the next downpour finds it.
Do you get a guarantee with a new roof?
Yes — a proper new roof comes with a workmanship guarantee, and many coverings carry their own material warranty on top. We fit to manufacturer standards so those warranties stand, and we hand over the paperwork when the job is done. That record also helps if you sell, since a buyer or lender can see the roof is recent and compliant. We are happy to talk through exactly what is covered before you commit.
Book Your Free Drone Roof Survey Today
See exactly what your roof needs before any work starts. No ladders, no pressure — just a clear picture from a local Market Harborough team.
Every winter a tired roof holds on, water works deeper into the timber and the bill only grows. A quick, free survey today tells you whether a repair will do or a new roof is the smarter spend — and you get an honest quote either way. Book now and protect your home before the next storm finds the weak spot.
ð 5 Hood Close, Market Harborough, LE16 9XS
ð 01858 457600
Call the Market Harborough team today on 01858 457600, or request your free drone survey online. We're already working across your area.
Book Your Free Drone Roof Survey
See exactly where your roof stands, with no obligation and no pressure. Call our Market Harborough team or request your free drone survey today.
Get in Touch
Tate & Sons Roofing — Market Harborough Office
5 Hood Close, Market Harborough, LE16 9XS
📞 01858 457600
✉️ [email protected]