By Charlie the Roofer for Roofline · Published · Checked against the sources listed below
Some roofers charge to come out and some quote for free, so ask before the visit. Trade2base says most roofers have a minimum call-out of £80 to £120 for small repairs. Emergencies cost more. Trade2base puts attending and making safe at £150 to £350, and Checkatrade gives an average of £588 for emergency roofing in Leeds.
Do roofers charge just to come and look?
Some do and some do not, so ask before anyone sets off. Which? says some contractors will carry out inspections free of charge, and advises asking about costs in advance.
Where there is a charge, UK price guides publish these figures:
- Trade2base says most roofers charge a minimum call-out of £80 to £120 for small repairs, whatever the work involved.
- MyJobQuote gives £80 to £200 for a roof inspection or leak detection visit if no repair is carried out on the day.
- BestBuilders gives £80 to £250 for finding a leak, and points out that diagnosis takes real time.
These are other companies' figures, not Roofline's prices. Roofline's inspections and quotes for roof repairs are free.
How is a free quote different from a paid survey or an emergency visit?
They are different jobs, and usually only the quote is free.
- A quote visit is a roofer looking at the problem so they can price the work. Which? says a roofing company will usually want to inspect your property before it quotes.
- A paid survey or report is a written record you keep, often with dated photos for an insurer. BestBuilders puts a detailed survey report for an insurance claim at about £80 to £250.
- An emergency make-safe stops water getting in until a proper repair can be done. BestBuilders gives £150 to £400 for an emergency tarpaulin or make-safe, and says it buys time but fixes nothing.
When you ring, ask which of these you are booking, whether a fee applies, and whether it comes off the bill if you go ahead. Do not assume a call-out fee will be deducted. Which? advises getting quotes in writing, and that applies to call-out charges too.
What does an emergency roofer cost at night or at the weekend?
Expect to pay more than for a weekday visit. Trade2base puts an emergency call-out at £150 to £350, covering attendance and the time to assess the roof and make it safe, with materials and any scaffold priced separately. It says evening and weekend rates are typically 25 to 50 per cent above the standard rate.
MyJobQuote says emergency call-outs during storms or antisocial hours typically add £100 to £300 to the bill. Checkatrade's page for roofers in Leeds gives £343 to £1,033 per job for emergency roofing in West Yorkshire, with an average of £588.
Will your insurance pay?
It may, so ring your insurer before you book anyone. The Association of British Insurers advises arranging temporary emergency repairs to stop damage getting worse, but speaking to your insurer first. It says most insurers have 24-hour emergency helplines, and that if you arrange repairs yourself you should tell your insurer and keep the receipts, because they form part of your claim.
Home emergency cover may pay for the temporary fix only. In one Financial Ombudsman case, an insurer's roofer sheeted over a hole left by blown-off tiles, and the ombudsman found the insurer did not have to replace the tiles because the policy promised a temporary repair. Our storm damage and insurance claims guide covers the claim itself.
What should you do while you wait for a roofer?
Keep yourself safe, catch the water and record what you see. Stay off the roof and off ladders.
- If water is coming through a light fitting, do not touch the fitting or the switch, even to turn the light off. Orbit's housing advice is to switch off the power at the fuse board if it is safe to do so.
- Put a bucket or bowl under the drip and move furniture and belongings out of the way.
- Take photos and short videos of the ceiling, of the loft if you can get into it safely, and of the roof from the ground or a window. They give your insurer and the roofer a record of the damage.
Our guide on how to find a roof leak explains what to look for in the loft. Roofline is based in Barnsley and covers Yorkshire. Send your photos by WhatsApp or ring 07413 797731, or book a free inspection and Roofline will send you photos of what it finds.
Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we think it is and whether it needs a visit. Quotes are free and itemised.
Sources
- Trade2base, Roof repair costs UK (8 June 2026)
- MyJobQuote, Roof leak repair cost (last updated 17 September 2026)
- BestBuilders, Roof repair cost UK (last updated 5 September 2026)
- Checkatrade, Roofer in Leeds
- Which?, How much do roofers cost? (8 May 2026)
- Association of British Insurers, Insurance advice ahead of Storm Chandra (26 January 2026)
- Financial Ombudsman Service, case study: customer complains temporary repair was not permanent
- Orbit, Electrical safety
General information about roofing in England, checked against the sources above when published. It is not a substitute for advice about your own roof.
