--- title: "Full roof replacement and re-covering" description: "Full roof replacement from Topmark property maintenance in Thatcham, Newbury, Reading and Basingstoke. Complete retiling and slate work for failing roofs." canonical: "https://topmarkroofers.co.uk/services/full-roof-replacement" --- # Full roof replacement and re-covering > Full roof replacement from Topmark property maintenance in Thatcham, Newbury, Reading and Basingstoke. Complete retiling and slate work for failing roofs. Full roof replacement from Topmark property maintenance provides a complete new covering for your home, stripping away worn tiles and failed underlay to leave the building dry and secure. ## Replacement pricing Each roof replacement quote reflects the exact size of the building, scaffold requirements and chosen tiles or slates. We inspect the roof structure first so you know the full cost before work begins. - Full roof replacement: Price on request - Scaffolding, waste skips and removal of all old tiles, battens and underlay - New breathable vapour-permeable underlay and graded treated timber battens - Installation of replacement tiles or slates with dry verge and ridge systems - Structural rafter repairs or chimney rebuilding are quoted separately if damage is found ## When replacement is the right call Patch repairs make sense for isolated damage, but recurring leaks across multiple rooms point to failing felt or rotted timber underneath. - **Perished underlay and bitumen felt:** Older roofs across Newbury and Thatcham often have traditional bitumen felt that turns brittle and tears over time. Once the felt fails, rainwater that blows past cracked tiles runs directly into your loft space. - **Rotted timber battens:** Water leaking beneath the tiles rots the wooden battens holding them in place. This causes roof tiles to slip out of line and leaves the roof vulnerable to high winds. - **Repeated repair costs:** When you are continually paying for chimney repointing, individual slipped slates and valley repairs, a full re-covering solves the underlying issues in one project. ## What a replacement includes Every replacement strips the roof down to the rafters to build up a dry, fully ventilated covering from scratch. ### Part of the rebuild - Stripping all existing tiles, slates, battens and rotted felt down to the rafters - Visual inspection of the exposed roof timber framework and wall plates - Fitting breathable roofing membrane across the entire deck - Fixing treated counter battens and tile battens to the correct gauge - Laying new concrete tiles, clay tiles or natural slate - Fitting dry ridge and dry verge systems for mechanical weather protection - Installing code 4 lead flashings around chimneys and abutments ### Quoted separately when needed - Replacing major structural roof timbers or roof trusses - Loft insulation upgrades inside the attic space - Rebuilding brick chimney stacks below the roofline ## How the job runs A full re-roof requires clear access around the perimeter of the building and careful coordination of deliveries and waste. 1. **Site setup and scaffolding:** Independent scaffolding goes up around the eaves to provide a safe working platform. Please ensure driveways and pathways beneath the working area remain clear for materials and waste skips. 2. **Stripping and membrane installation:** We remove old tiles and felt in sections, keeping the exposed roof weather-tight. The new breathable underlay is rolled out and secured with treated battens to protect your home from rain straight away. 3. **Tiling and ridge fixing:** New tiles or slates are loaded onto the roof and fixed mechanically according to current building standards. Dry verges, dry ridges and lead valleys are completed to seal all joints. 4. **Site clearance and sign-off:** All old materials, broken tiles and packaging are loaded into skips and removed. We carry out a ground-level sweep with magnetic tools to collect stray nails before the scaffold comes down. ## What you get at the end A complete roof replacement delivers a weather-tight roof covering built to modern British standards. - **A working membrane:** A tear-resistant, breathable underlay replaces old bitumen felt. It lets moisture escape from your attic while acting as a secondary water barrier if wind drives rain between the tiles. - **Sound battens:** Treated timber battens are fixed securely into the rafters at the correct gauge for your specific tiles. This keeps all rows straight and prevents tiles from shifting in storms. - **A ventilated roof space:** Modern replacements incorporate eaves and ridge ventilation that prevents damp, condensation and rot from forming on your roof timbers. - **Mechanically fixed edges:** Verges and ridges are mechanically screwed and clipped rather than relying solely on mortar bedding that cracks and falls out over time. ## Roof replacement questions Common questions about replacing domestic roofs in Berkshire and North Hampshire. ### How do I know if my roof needs replacing instead of repairing? If leaks occur in several locations or you see bitumen felt crumbling into your loft, the underlay has reached the end of its lifespan. Minor issues like a single cracked tile or loose flashing can be repaired, but widespread water ingress means the whole covering needs replacing. ### Do you need planning permission to replace a roof? Most roof replacements do not need planning permission because they fall under permitted development, provided the replacement materials are similar in appearance. Properties in conservation areas or listed buildings may have special restrictions. ### Can we stay in the house while the roof is replaced? Yes. Work takes place outside on the scaffold and the house remains habitable. There will be noise from stripping tiles and hammering battens, but the ceiling line inside is never breached. ### How long does a full roof replacement take? An average terraced or semi-detached house typically takes three to five working days, depending on weather and roof complexity. Larger detached properties or slate roofs take slightly longer. ### What happens if it rains during the replacement? We strip roofs in manageable stages and immediately install waterproof breathable underlay. We also keep heavy-duty tarpaulins on hand to cover any open timber work during unexpected downpours. ## Business facts - Service area: Thatcham, Newbury, Tadley, Basingstoke, Reading, Didcot, Wantage, Andover, Wokingham, Abingdon-on-Thames - Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 09:00–17:00 - Phone: +447846713949 - Email: team@topmarkroofers.co.uk ## Book Online - [Book Online](https://topmarkroofers.co.uk/#chat): Send the job details and postcode to Topmark property maintenance. ## Related pages - [Roof inspection](https://topmarkroofers.co.uk/services/roof-inspection): Roof inspection and written condition report. - [Roof tile replacement](https://topmarkroofers.co.uk/services/roof-tile-replacement): Roof tile and slate replacement. - [Ridge and verge repointing](https://topmarkroofers.co.uk/services/ridge-and-verge-repointing): Ridge, hip and verge repointing and rebedding. - [Chimney repair and repointing](https://topmarkroofers.co.uk/services/chimney-repair-and-repointing): Chimney stack repair, repointing and flaunching. - [Gutter repair and replacement](https://topmarkroofers.co.uk/services/gutter-repair-and-replacement): Gutter, fascia and soffit repair and replacement. - [Full sitemap](https://topmarkroofers.co.uk/sitemap.md): Complete machine-readable page directory.