Roofing FAQs: Repairs, Planning, Grants and Safety in Ireland

RoofQuotes.ie is a free roofing quote service for homes in all 26 counties of Ireland, covering roof repairs, re-roofing, flat roofs, chimneys, fascia, soffits and gutters, roof insulation and asbestos slate replacement.

Yes. Getting a roofing quote is free for homeowners, and there is no obligation to go ahead.

RoofQuotes.ie is operated by 353 Digital. Enquiries are passed to independent roofing contractors who cover your area, and those contractors pay 353 Digital for the enquiry. Your quote and any contract for work are between you and the roofer.

RoofQuotes.ie covers 404 towns across all 26 counties of Ireland. Choose your county from the county list for local councils and towns.

In most cases, yes. Slipped slates, broken tiles, failed ridges and flashings can be repaired on their own. Replacement is usually recommended only when faults are widespread or the membrane, battens or slates have reached the end of their life.

Water often travels along timbers before it shows on a ceiling, so the leak is rarely directly above the stain. A roofer checks the attic and the roof surface to find the source.

EPDM suits simple rectangular roofs, GRP suits roofs with foot traffic or detailed edges, and torch-on felt is a proven multi-layer system. A roofer recommends one after seeing the deck, falls and outlets.

Stay off the roof, take photos from the ground, move belongings away from leaks and arrange a make-safe. Permanent repairs follow once the weather settles.

Like-for-like roof replacement usually does not need planning permission. Protected structures and changes to the roof shape, height or front-facing rooflights can. Your local council can confirm for your home.

When a roof is fully replaced, Building Regulations Part L apply. Adding insulation while the roof is open is usually the most practical time to do it.

For a single-contractor job, you need to take reasonable steps to check the roofer is competent. Larger jobs with more than one contractor need project supervisors appointed in writing under the Construction Regulations 2013.

The Construction Industry Register Ireland is being introduced as a statutory register for builders and trades. It is worth asking any roofer whether they are registered.

Bats and their roosts are protected. Works that would disturb them need a derogation licence from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and timing the work outside key bat seasons often helps.

Do not drill, cut or power-wash it. Asbestos cement slates must be identified before work starts, and removal must be done by a suitably qualified contractor under Health and Safety Authority rules.

There is no general roof repair grant. Homeowners aged 66 and over may qualify for the Housing Aid for Older People Grant through their local council, and vacant homes may qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.

SEAI grants cover insulation, not the roof covering. The attic insulation grant ranges from €1,100 to €2,000 by home type, with higher amounts for eligible first-time buyers and qualifying welfare recipients.