Pitched Roofing in Jersey

What the job involves

A pitched roofing job starts with a full survey of the existing structure, battens and underlay before we estimate for the work. On reroofs we strip the old covering back to the rafters, check the timber, replace any sections showing rot or nail sickness, then fit new breathable membrane and treated battens at the correct gauge for the slate or tile being used.

New build and extension roofs follow the same standards from the frame up, with the covering laid to the correct headlap and side lap for the pitch and exposure zone the property sits in, and with all abutments, valleys and verges detailed as part of the same job rather than left as an afterthought.

On listed and registered buildings we work to match the original covering and detailing as closely as the available materials allow, discussing options with you and, where required, with the planning department before anything is ordered.

Coverings we install

The right covering depends on the age and style of the property, the pitch of the roof and how exposed it is.

• Natural slate, Spanish and Welsh, for granite properties and conservation-sensitive locations
• Man-made cement fibre slate as a cost-effective, similar-looking alternative on newer builds
• Clay pantiles and plain tiles, including handmade and glazed finishes
• Concrete interlocking and plain tiles for modern housing and estate work
• Sheet metal roofing, including standing seam profiles for contemporary designs and low pitches
• Lightweight recycled plastic tiles where roof structure or weight is a limiting factor
• Dry ridge, hip and verge systems to remove reliance on mortar bedding
• Velux and rooflight installation flashed into the covering as part of the work

Common problems we fix

Jersey's coastal position and older housing stock mean we see the same recurring faults across the island.

• Salt air corrosion of nails and fixings on exposed elevations
• Slipped or missing slates after Atlantic gales and storm damage
• Nail sickness on Victorian and Edwardian slate roofs where fixings have perished
• Lichen and moss build-up trapping moisture under slates on north-facing pitches
• Cracked or delaminating slates from decades of weathering
• Granite property detailing around chimneys and abutments that needs matching, not just patching
• Wind-driven rain penetration through worn or missing ridge and hip tiles
• Underlay perished beyond its service life, allowing damp into the roof void

Materials and standards we use

All slating and tiling work is carried out to a high standard, with fixings and laps specified for Jersey's wind exposure and driven rain rather than the bare minimum.

Leadwork forming part of a pitched roof, at chimneys, valleys, dormers and abutments, is installed in accordance with Rolled Lead Sheet Association guidelines, so the junctions are as durable as the covering itself.

How much does it cost in Jersey

There's no single price for a pitched roof because so much depends on the individual property. Roof size and pitch are the starting point, since a steep, complex roof with multiple hips and valleys takes longer to strip and re-cover than a simple gable roof of the same area.

Access and scaffolding add a variable cost, particularly on terraced properties or roofs close to boundary walls. The condition of the timber found once we strip the old covering can change the price, as can the covering chosen, since natural slate costs more than fibre cement or lightweight alternatives, and freight to the island affects lead times and pricing on imported materials.

Every estimate we provide is free and written, so you know exactly what's included before any work starts.