Roofing in Devon & Cornwall
Solid roofs that stand up to the West Country weather — no shortcuts.
Roofing& Cornwall
Roofing by Clifford Building Contractors covers everything from a full re-roof on a 4-bedroom house to a single cracked ridge tile or a blocked gutter. Based and working in Devon and Cornwall, we carry out pitched roof work — tiling, slating, ridge work, hip and valley work — flat roof installations in EPDM and felt, fascias, soffits, and guttering, lead work and flashings, and chimney repairs. Devon and Cornwall roofs take a proper battering from the Atlantic weather — wind-driven rain, moss growth, and temperature fluctuations that cause mortar to fail and tiles to slip — and the value of having a roof that's been done properly rather than patched-up quickly becomes clear over the years. We use scaffolding on every job where it's needed for safe access, we use quality materials with manufacturer's guarantees, and we don't recommend work that doesn't need doing. If your roof needs an honest assessment, we'll give you one.
What we offer
We carry out the full range of roofing work on domestic properties in Devon and Cornwall. Full re-roofs where the existing covering has reached the end of its life — stripping back to the rafters, fitting new breathable membrane, battens, and tiles or slates to give a roof that should last another 30 to 50 years. New roofs on extensions, outbuildings, and garages. Flat roof installations using EPDM rubber membrane — a far better long-term material than traditional felt. Tiling and slating repairs where only sections have failed. Ridge and hip re-bedding where the mortar has failed and tiles are at risk of coming loose. Fascias, soffits, and guttering in uPVC or aluminium. Lead flashings and soakers around chimneys, dormers, valleys, and abutments. Chimney repairs including re-pointing, re-flashing, and capping.
What's included
- Full scaffolding erection and dismantling for safe access
- Strip-off of existing covering and disposal
- New breathable roofing membrane and treated battens
- New tiles or natural/synthetic slates to match or upgrade existing
- New ridge, hip, and valley tiles/components
- EPDM flat roof system with full perimeter detailing and outlets
- uPVC or aluminium fascias, soffits, and guttering
- Lead flashings, soakers, and chimney work
Our process, step by step
No surprises, no grey areas — you know what happens next at every stage.
- 01
Roof inspection and free estimate
We carry out a proper inspection of your roof — from scaffolding or with a drone survey where appropriate — to assess the condition of the covering, the structure underneath, the flashings, the guttering, and the chimney if applicable. We then produce a written estimate that explains clearly what work is needed and why, rather than just quoting a number.
- 02
Scaffolding erection
Safe working at height requires proper scaffolding, and we erect the right scaffold for the job before any roofing work begins. We use scaffolding contractors who are fully trained and insured, and the scaffold stays in place until all work including guttering and fascia work is complete.
- 03
Strip and prepare
On a full re-roof, all the existing tiles or slates, battens, and felt are stripped off and removed from site. The structural roof timbers are inspected — any rotten or damaged timber is replaced at this stage. New breathable membrane and treated battens are then fixed to provide the base for the new covering.
- 04
New covering and flashings
New tiles or slates are laid from the eaves to the ridge, following the correct lap and spacing for the pitch of the roof. Ridge, hip, and valley work is completed. Lead flashings around chimneys, dormers, and abutments are cut and dressed in lead. Everything is checked for watertightness before the scaffold comes down.
- 05
Guttering, fascias, and sign-off
While the scaffold is still up, any fascia, soffit, and guttering work is completed. This is the right time to do it — the scaffold is already there, and new guttering prevents water pooling at the base of the new roof. We carry out a final inspection before the scaffold is struck and walk you through the finished work.
Cost guidance
Roofing cost varies with the size of the roof, the material chosen, the pitch, the complexity of the shape (hips, valleys, dormers, chimneys), the condition of the underlying structure and the scaffolding required. Natural slate sits at a different price point to concrete or fibre-cement tile. EPDM flat roofs are priced very differently to traditional felt. Fascia, soffit and guttering replacement is often done while the scaffold is up. Targeted repairs — re-bedding ridges, replacing slipped tiles, re-doing chimney flashings — can range from modest to substantial depending on the extent. We don't publish stock roofing prices — every job is quoted after a site visit so the figure reflects what's actually in front of you. Scaffolding, where needed, is included in the written quote rather than added later.
Planning & regulations
Like-for-like roof replacement — re-roofing in the same material as what's already there — is permitted development and doesn't require a planning application. If you want to change the roofing material in a Conservation Area, a National Park, or on a listed building, you'll need planning consent — local planning authorities in these areas often have strong views on materials, particularly the difference between natural slate and artificial alternatives. AONB locations in Devon and Cornwall — around Dartmoor, Exmoor, and the North Devon Coast — are areas where planning officers pay close attention to the appearance of buildings and roofing material is specifically mentioned in many local plan policies. If you're in any doubt about whether your planned roofing works need planning consent, a quick call to the local planning authority before starting work is the sensible approach.
Fully insured
Public & employer's liability on every job.
Free estimates
No-obligation quotes — usually same day.
Clear pricing
Detailed written quotes, no hidden extras.
Tidy site daily
We respect your home — clear up every evening.
Roofing — FAQs
Other services you might need
Areas we cover for roofing
Ready to start your roofing project?
Tell us what you're planning and we'll give you honest advice and a free, no-obligation estimate — usually the same day.