Natural slate
Long-lived and suited to period homes. Welsh and Spanish slate differ in price and appearance.
Fontwell · BN18 0
New Roofs in Fontwell
A new roof is the biggest single investment most homes need, and the right decision starts with knowing whether you actually need one. Replacement makes sense when the covering is failing across the roof rather than in one spot, when the underlay beneath has perished, or when repeated repairs are costing more than they solve.
Signs you may need new roofs
- Slipped or cracked tiles and slates appearing in several places each winter
- Daylight visible through the roof from the loft, or a sagging roofline
- Old bitumen underlay that crumbles to the touch, or no underlay at all
- Nail fatigue on slate roofs, where slates slide out because fixings have corroded
- Leaks that return after repairs in different locations
How we approach it
What new roofs involves
Survey and written quote
We look at the covering, ridges, valleys, chimneys and the loft space, then set out the scope, the materials we propose, timescales and the price in writing.
Strip and check
Once scaffolding is up, the old covering comes off and the rafters are inspected. Any timber issues are explained to you before anything extra is done.
Rebuild the layers
Breathable membrane and new treated battens go on, followed by slate or tile, with new leadwork to chimneys, abutments and valleys and properly fixed ridges and hips.
Handover
The site is cleared, we walk round the finished roof with you, and any guarantee documentation for your job is handed over.
Options
Choices worth understanding
Clay tiles
Traditional Sussex character, particularly plain tiles. Good for matching older neighbouring roofs.
Concrete tiles
Cost-effective and robust, with interlocking profiles for lower pitches.
Flat sections
Extensions and dormers can be done at the same time in GRP or EPDM.
Your Fontwell property
Check before work starts
- If your home is listed or in a conservation area, changing the covering material may need consent.
- If you want roof windows, it is far easier to fit them during a re-roof than afterwards.
- If neighbours share a terrace roofline, matching materials and detailing matters to how the street looks.
FAQs
New Roofs questions
- Over 30 years
- Mike Bishop founded the business around 30 years ago and still runs it from Hove.
- 99% priced by Mike
- Mike personally prices almost every job, so the person quoting understands roofs.
- Four vans
- A settled team with four vans working across East and West Sussex.
- GRP and leadwork
- GRP fibreglass trained, with traditional leadwork and Velux installation in-house.
- Drone inspections
- Drone inspection and certification for roofs that are hard or unsafe to reach.
- FMB, TrustMark, Trading Standards
- Member of the Federation of Master Builders, TrustMark registered and Trading Standards approved.
- Insured
- Public liability £5m including heat work; employer’s liability £10m.
How long does a re-roof take?
It depends on size, access and weather. We give a realistic timeframe in the written quote and keep you updated as work goes on.
Can my existing tiles be reused?
Sometimes, particularly good-quality clay or slate. We assess how many are sound and tell you whether reuse is sensible.
Will I need to move out?
No. You do not usually need to be home either, as long as we have access to the work area.
Other services in Fontwell
Talk to us about new roofs in Fontwell
Free site visit and written quote. Call 01273 819808, mobile 07956 998 965, or email mbroofing@hotmail.co.uk.