The complete price guide for Welsh slate roofing in Shrewsbury — covering individual repairs, de-slate and re-nail, and full replacement. Plus the honest answer on reclaimed vs new vs Spanish slate for Shrewsbury’s Victorian and conservation area properties.
Welsh slate specialists. Reclaimed stock held. Conservation area experience.
☎ 01743 537230 — Free SurveyIndividual slate replacement is the correct approach when up to 5% of slates on a pitch are cracked, broken or missing. The critical element is sourcing the correct matching grade — Ffestiniog or Penrhyn — in the right thickness and colour. Using mismatched slate compromises both the visual result and the headlap performance of the roof.
| Repair type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Single Welsh slate (reclaimed, matching) | £40–£75 |
| 5 slates replaced (same visit) | £180–£320 |
| 10 slates replaced (same visit) | £320–£580 |
| Selective replacement (20+ slates) | £550–£1,200 |
| Lead soaker replacement (per soaker) | £25–£45 |
When nail sickness affects more than 20–25% of slates on a pitch, a full de-slate and re-nail is the correct and most economical response. Every slate is removed, inspected, and re-laid using stainless ring shank nails that will not corrode for 80–100 years. Damaged slates are replaced with matching reclaimed material. New breathable underlay is installed throughout.
| Job type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| De-slate & re-nail — terrace rear pitch | £2,500–£4,000 |
| De-slate & re-nail — semi-detached pitch | £3,000–£4,500 |
| De-slate & re-nail — both pitches (semi) | £5,500–£8,000 |
| New breathable underlay (included) | Included |
| Stainless fixings (included) | Included |
Full replacement is the correct choice when slates are surface-eroded, delaminating or porous across the majority of a pitch — or when undertaking a full re-roof on a period property where some slate pitches are beyond re-use.
| Property type | Specification | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Victorian terrace | Reclaimed Welsh slate | £6,000–£9,000 |
| Edwardian semi | Reclaimed Welsh slate | £8,000–£12,000 |
| Edwardian detached | Reclaimed Welsh slate | £12,000–£18,000 |
| Any property | New Spanish natural slate | £4,500–£10,000 |
Spanish natural slate is a legitimate product for non-conservation-area properties. Chinese slate varies enormously in quality and is not recommended. On any conservation area or listed property in Shrewsbury, Welsh slate — reclaimed or new from an active quarry — is the only appropriate specification.
| Material | Supply cost / sq m | Visual match (Shrewsbury Victorian) | Conservation area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reclaimed Ffestiniog Welsh slate | £45–£85 | Excellent | Approved |
| New Penrhyn Welsh slate | £60–£100 | Good (brighter) | Approved |
| Spanish natural slate | £25–£45 | Poor (wrong tone) | Often refused |
| Chinese slate | £15–£30 | Very poor | Refused |
The premium for reclaimed Welsh slate over Spanish slate on a typical terrace repair covering 3 sq metres is approximately £90–£180 in material cost. Against a total job cost of £400–£900, this is not where savings should be made on a period property.
Individual Welsh slate repairs cost £40–£75 per slate. A full de-slate and re-nail on a 3-bed Victorian terrace costs £2,500–£4,500 per pitch. A full new Welsh slate re-roof on a semi costs £6,000–£9,000. Free surveys available across all Shrewsbury and Shropshire postcodes.
We hold stock of reclaimed Ffestiniog and Penrhyn Welsh slate in the grades most commonly needed for Shrewsbury's Victorian and Edwardian housing stock. For larger re-roof projects requiring significant tonnage, we source directly from specialist reclaimed slate merchants across Wales and the South West.
Call 01743 537230 and describe what you've seen. We'll confirm whether a same-day visit is appropriate or book a survey within 2–3 working days. The surveyor accesses the roof, photographs the defects, and provides a written fixed-price quote the same day or the following morning. There is no call-out charge and no obligation to accept the quote.
New Welsh slate from active quarries — Penrhyn is still operating — is excellent quality and will last just as long as the original. The visual difference from reclaimed is slight but noticeable on a 130-year-old roof. For conservation area properties where visual consistency matters, reclaimed is preferred.
Ffestiniog slate is blue-grey with a fine, smooth texture — the most common type on Shrewsbury’s Victorian terraces in Belle Vue and the town centre. Penrhyn slate has a slightly warmer purple-blue tone and coarser texture, typically found on larger Edwardian properties. Getting the right match matters both aesthetically and for conservation area compliance.
For repairs to an original Victorian or Edwardian roof, reclaimed Welsh slate almost always matches better than new. New slate from active quarries is excellent quality but tends to be brighter and more uniform than aged material. On a 100+ year old roof, a patch of new slate stands out. We stock reclaimed Welsh slate for all Shrewsbury repair work.
Original Victorian Welsh slate can last 100–150 years. The slate itself rarely fails — it is the original cut nails that corrode after 40–60 years. A full de-slate and re-nail with stainless fixings gives the original slate another 80–100 years of service.
Almost certainly yes. Shrewsbury’s conservation area restricts material changes on principal elevations. Spanish or Chinese slate is typically refused on visible rooflines. Reclaimed Welsh slate is both the planning-correct and visually appropriate specification for period properties in the town centre, Belle Vue and Monkmoor.
We survey every property physically before quoting — never from the ground or from photographs. If repair is the right answer we say so. We do not push replacements when they are not warranted, and we do not recommend repairs when replacement is the more economical decision over a five-year horizon.
Every quote is written, itemised and fixed before any work starts. No verbal estimates, no day-rate pricing, no additions once the job has begun without prior agreement. You know the exact cost before we lift a tile — and the price does not change unless the scope changes and you agree to it.
No subcontractors, no agency labour. The team that surveys your roof is the team that carries out the work. We have been building our reputation in Shropshire since 2003 by taking direct responsibility for every job — something a contractor who farms work to subcontractors cannot offer.
All re-roof and major repair work carries a written 10-year workmanship guarantee issued at job completion. We are fully insured with £5m public liability cover. NFRC registered. We have been trading in Shropshire for over 20 years — our guarantee means something because we will be here to honour it.
We cover the full Shropshire area from our Shrewsbury base, with no additional travel charge for any location within our coverage area. The same team, the same standards, and the same written 10-year guarantee apply on every job — whether we are working in a Victorian terrace in Belle Vue, a 1960s semi in Harlescott, a period villa in Church Stretton, or a modern estate in Telford.
Our coverage includes all Shrewsbury suburbs — Bayston Hill, Meole Brace, Monkmoor, Belle Vue, Harlescott, Copthorne, Radbrook and Kingsland — and all surrounding Shropshire towns including Telford, Oswestry, Whitchurch, Newport, Shifnal, Wem, Church Stretton and Market Drayton. We also cover the villages and rural properties between these centres across all SY and TF postcodes.
Free surveys are available across all of this coverage area with no call-out charge and no obligation to proceed. Call 01743 537230 to book.
Every job starts with a physical survey — not a quote over the phone, not an estimate from the ground. We access the roof, inspect defects and their causes, check for related issues in surrounding areas, and photograph the condition. The written fixed-price quote is issued the same day or the following morning. Survey visits are free across all Shropshire postcodes with no call-out charge and no obligation to proceed.
We do not use pressure tactics, do not offer day-of discounts to rush a decision, and do not manufacture urgency. If a job can wait two weeks safely we tell you. If it needs addressing immediately we explain exactly why. Every quote is written and itemised — no verbal estimates, no additions once work has started without prior agreement.
All prices are fixed before work starts. For repair jobs under £500, payment is due on completion. For larger jobs — re-roofs, full guttering replacements, chimney rebuilds — a deposit of 10 to 25 percent covers materials, with the balance on satisfactory completion. We never ask for full payment upfront on any job. We accept bank transfer and card. Full VAT receipts are issued at completion on all work.
Any contractor requiring full cash payment upfront, offering large on-the-spot discounts, or approaching you unsolicited at your door should be treated with caution. Legitimate roofing contractors do not operate this way. If you are unsure about a quote you have received, call us on 01743 537230 for an independent assessment.
We survey every Shrewsbury and Shropshire property free of charge and provide a full itemised written quote before any work begins.
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