Roofer - pricing

[Audis5b9]

I've got two small jobs that need doing, and want a rough idea of what a roofer would charge.

I have one coming out to quote on Monday, and it would be easy if I can give him the go ahead there and then if he's not trying to take my pants down!

I have a 2ft section of gutter tail pipe thats fallen off and the end section of a soffit (approx 30cm triangle) also has come off so needs re-nailing back on.

In my mind its two 5 mins jobs plus up and down the ladder in two locations - so really an hours work by the time he's set up the ladder twice and packed up etc.

So £40/50?

or wont that be enough for them to bother so will want more like £100 for the hassle?

Thoughts please!

Edited by Audis5b9 on Wednesday 4th January 16:40

[Countdown]

Audis5b9 said:

I've got two small jobs that need doing, and want a rough idea of what a roofer would charge.

I have one coming out to quote on Monday, and it would be easy if I can give him the go ahead there and then if he's not trying to take my pants down!

I have a 2ft section of gutter tail pipe thats fallen off and the end section of a soffit (approx 30cm triangle) also has come off so needs re-nailing back on.

In my mind in two 5 mins jobs plus up and down the ladder in two locations - so really an hours work by the time he's set up the ladder twice and packed up etc.

So £40/50?

or wont that be enough for them to bother so will want more like £100 for the hassle?

Thoughts please!

I'd be surprised if it's less than £100. I would have thought at least £150 based on it being half a day's work for him.

[Audis5b9]

Countdown said:

I'd be surprised if it's less than £100. I would have thought at least £150 based on it being half a day's work for him.

Do roofers only work 2 hours a day?!

(He is based 5 mins away, so no long commute to get here either)

[Countdown]

Audis5b9 said:

Do roofers only work 2 hours a day?!

(He is based 5 mins away, so no long commute to get here either)

You could well be right. Maybe I'm being cynical but whenever Ive asked for quotes they've always turned out to be a lot more than i thought they would.

[deckster]

Countdown said:

I'd be surprised if it's less than £100. I would have thought at least £150 based on it being half a day's work for him.

Exactly this. It's not an hours work, it's half a day that he isn't doing something more valuable.

If you're very lucky, he might be able to do it on the way home after doing another job locally. But I wouldn't hold your breath.

Does it need to be a roofer? Sounds like something a local handyman/odd-job-person would be more interested in (and would charge less for).

[Audis5b9]

deckster said:

Exactly this. It's not an hours work, it's half a day that he isn't doing something more valuable.

If you're very lucky, he might be able to do it on the way home after doing another job locally. But I wouldn't hold your breath.

Does it need to be a roofer? Sounds like something a local handyman/odd-job-person would be more interested in (and would charge less for).

I only went to roofer as the need for big ladders and also walking up part of the roof...

[ARHarh]

His wages will only be a bit of what he charges. He needs to cost in tools transport, materials VAT . Plus even if he lives next door it's going to take more than an hour when you include all the other stuff like paper work, answering the phone etc. I would guess £150 to £200

[CharlesElliott]

I'd also go with half a day - £150 to £200 ish.

[J6542]

If he agrees to do it for any less than £100, then make sure you have been to the cash machine before he comes. Since it will be a cash only price.

[Audis5b9]

In that case, I may go to the hire shop and get a big ladder!

[iphonedyou]

Audis5b9 said:

In that case, I may go to the hire shop and get a big ladder!

Nobody is doing roof work for £40. He'd be out of business in weeks.

[s1962a]

London prices probably around £150-£200 as well. Round here I think they can pick and choose their jobs.

[I Like Tea]

Weirdly, I’ve spent time thinking about the business model of the small tradesperson. There’s 260 working days a year, knock off 30 for bank holidays and annual leave, then another 50 for admin, sales visits, quotes etc., leaves 180 working days. £200 for a half day or £400 a day gives annual revenue of £72000 out which comes expenses - diesel, insurance VED, tools etc… so maybe leaves an annual income of £50k-ish. Doesn’t seem unreasonable to me for standing on a roof in the rain!

So in summary, I reckon it will cost £200 for that job.

[Steve H]

Does anyone really expect to get any trade out of bed for less than £100?

[Pistom]

I Like Tea said:

Weirdly, I’ve spent time thinking about the business model of the small tradesperson. There’s 260 working days a year, knock off 30 for bank holidays and annual leave, then another 50 for admin, sales visits, quotes etc., leaves 180 working days. £200 for a half day or £400 a day gives annual revenue of £72000 out which comes expenses - diesel, insurance VED, tools etc… so maybe leaves an annual income of £50k-ish. Doesn’t seem unreasonable to me for standing on a roof in the rain!

So in summary, I reckon it will cost £200 for that job.

This is a really good answer and without the calcs I would have guessed £150-£200. I'm not sure I'd want someone who works for less and anyone who charges more is being selective of the work they want to do.

[anonymous-user]

Steve H said:

Does anyone really expect to get any trade out of bed for less than £100?

My brother works in the trade, judging by the vans and cars for the wife all the contractors have been buying over the last couple of years I expect they will want £500. I doubt they will bother getting out of bed for much less.

The electrician his company uses won't even bother quoting unless there is at least £5K profit in the job for him.

[anonymous-user]

I’d say £250

My builder/roofer has similar calls all the time when here.
‘it’s a five minute job, i’ll give you £25’
Always ignored.

[leef44]

I had some repointing work done on the roof tile edge. I got three quotes between £300 and £350.

It took two guys less than 2 hours' work. This is Surrey prices.

[TopTrump]

I'm going to say £450/500. It's half a day and good ones earn well

[Gtom]

You have to ask yourself ‘would I get on that roof for two hours for £40?’

It’s £100 if he is feeling generous but it’s going to be upwards of £200.