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myThatched Roof Cost
At a Glance
- The average thatched roof cost is around £22,000 in the UK.
- Installing a thatched roof typically takes between 3 to 6 weeks to complete.
- How much a thatched roof costs to install, that impacts the cost to thatch a roof, and what roof thatchers cost to hire in 2026.
- What's involved in installing or replacing a thatched roof, how long this type of job typically takes to finish, and expert advice from tradespeople on MyJobQuote.
- How to find and hire a thatched roof specialist near you.
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How much does a thatched roof cost in the UK?
In 2026, the average cost to thatch a roof is £22,000 in the UK. The exact thatched roof cost you're quoted by a specialist will depend on various factors, though.
Thatched roofs are beautiful and unique features that can add a lot of character to a property.
However, they're not as common as they used to be, with less than 1% of houses in the UK having them (many of which are on listed buildings). Thatched roofs can also be relatively difficult to maintain. The main roof covering can last between 25 to 50 years depending on the material and exposure to the elements, while the roof ridge typically needs replacing every 8 to 15 years.
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£22,000
Table of Contents
- How Much to Thatch a Roof?
- Additional Thatched Roof Costs
- How Much Do Roof Thatchers Cost to Hire?
- Factors That Impact Thatched Roof Costs
- What's Involved in Thatching a Roof?
- Building Regulations & Planning Permission for a Thatched Roof Installation
- Benefits of a Thatched Roof Installation
- Checklist: Hiring Contractors to Install a Thatched Roof
- How do I Maintain my Thatched Roof?
- FAQs
How Much to Thatch a Roof?
The prices will vary depending on the size of the roof, the design, and the materials used for the roof.
In total, you can expect to spend around £22,000 to have a thatched roof installed.
However, the prices can vary quite a lot. It's not cheap to install a thatched roof, and it's definitely not a great option for those on a tight budget.
The materials alone can set you back around £9,000 to £14,000 depending on the size of your roof, and the labour costs will usually work out around £150 to £250 per day.
Since a thatched roof installation can take a few weeks to complete, you can see how the labour costs for this type of work can easily add up.
I have a thatched roof home that I am now looking to have repaired in a few areas. The majority of the roof is in suitable order, but there are some areas which will need replacing if possible. What are the costs involved in having repairs to a thatched roof?
"The price will very much depend on the extent of the damage to the roof. For example, if there is only the top layers affected by the weather and general wearing, then the cost would likely be a lot lower than if the structure beneath has been damaged. An average roof has the area of around 12 squares (1 square = 10ft x 10ft) which would cost up to £14,000 to replace the whole roof surface. Based on this, 1 square should cost between £1,100 to £1,200."
Average Cost of Thatched Roof Installations
Thatched roof prices you're quoted will depend mostly on the size of your roof.
Below is a table indicating the average costs that you can expect when installing a thatched roof on different-sized properties:
| Size of Roof | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Small thatched roof (55m²) | £5,000 – £12,000 |
| Medium thatched roof (85m²) | £7,500 – £18,500 |
| Large thatched roof (110m²) | £10,000 – £25,000 |
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The cost of thatched roof materials has seen a recent increase due to poor harvests in the UK (due to bad weather), as well as geopolitical events that have reduced the availability of materials from outside of the UK.
The cost of hiring a roof thatcher has also increased. This is because there is a growing shortage of qualified tradespeople who can do this work, but also because demand for traditional tradesmen (like roof thatchers) has increased in recent years.
Additional Thatched Roof Costs
When it comes to installing a thatched roof, there are several additional costs that you may need to think about. Below is a list of the extra costs that you may need to consider with this type of work:
Roof Insulation Cost
Due to the nature of a thatched roof, it's a good idea to install roof insulation to keep your energy bills down and prevent heat from escaping through the roof.
On average, roof insulation costs are around £450. The overall price will depend mostly on the size of the roof and your location in the UK.
Skip Hire
When installing or replacing a thatched roof, there may be a lot of mess and waste that needs to be disposed of. This is where a skip hire would come in very handy.
The average cost for skip hire is £220. The price will depend on the size of the skip and your location in the UK.
How Much Do Roof Thatchers Cost to Hire?
Let's take a look at labour costs and timescales:
When hiring a roofer to install a thatched roof, be mindful that it is a highly specialised job requiring specific knowledge and hands-on experience.
A thatched roof specialist will usually charge around £150 to £250 per day, and will usually work in a team of at least two. You may also need to pay additional costs to hire scaffolding for the thatcher to work on.
Depending on the roof's size and the job's complexity, it can take around 3 to 6 weeks to install a thatched roof.
If you are having your thatched roof replaced, then this will take longer, as the old thatch will need to be removed before the new thatch can be added. This will increase labour costs.
Factors That Impact Thatched Roof Costs
Many things can affect the cost of installing a thatched roof. Below is a list of the things that may affect the overall cost of the job:
Type of Thatch
Several different types of thatch can be used on a roof, each with varied price points.
Some examples of thatch types include:
- Water reed
- Norfolk reed
- Devon reed
- Longstraw
- Heather
- Rye straw
Water reed is the most common type of thatching material. However, it is limited in supply, so it can be quite expensive.
Is it possible to change the material of a thatched roof when it's due for reroofing? (e.g., from straw or wheat to water reed?)
"Yes, you can change a thatched roof — but you may want to look at your rafters as they may not be strong enough to carry a lot more weight."
Roof Size and Design
The size of the roof is the biggest factor that can affect the cost of your thatched roof installation. The larger your roof is, the more you can expect to pay for your thatched roof.
Larger roofs will not only require more materials, but they will also take much longer to complete. Therefore, the labour costs will also be higher.
Scaffolding Cost
Many thatched roof contractors will include the cost of scaffolding in the overall job quote they give to you. However, sometimes this will be an additional cost due to requiring a separate scaffolding company to supply the equipment and put it up on site.
The overall cost of hiring scaffolding will depend on the length of time that it is needed. The average scaffolding hire cost is around £4,500.
Waste Removal Cost
Many contractors will include the cost of waste removal within the quote for the job. However, in some cases, this may be an additional cost that you need to think about.
The average cost to hire a skip is around £220. The price will depend on the size of the skip and your location in the UK.
Location in the UK
Your location can play a part in how much you will pay for installing a thatched roof. This is due to the increased cost of labour for certain areas.
Those based in and around London can expect to pay more labour costs than those in northern England.
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What's Involved in Thatching a Roof?
When installing a thatched roof, it is never recommended that you do it as a DIY project. Fitting a new roof is difficult to complete and a thatched roof in particular can take over a month to finish – even by a professionals.
You should hire a thatched roof specialist who has experience installing the type of thatched roof you want and is able to carry out the work inline with the appropriate building regulations. With the help of MyJobQuote we can help you find local thatched roof specialists, who can provide free quotes without out any obligation to commit further.
The roof is a very important part of your property, so it must be installed correctly, safely and ensure it is structurally sound. To help you understand the basics of what’s involved with a thatched roof installation, we have broken the process down into the key stages below.
Before the Thatched Roof Installation
- Constructing the Roof Structure — A strong timber roof structure suitable for thatching must be constructed. This includes fitting rafters and battens that are capable of supporting the materials being used and safely carrying the weight of the roof.
- Preparing the Framework — The four corner pieces should be tied together by nailing in cross members that extend from each corner. These must run parallel to the ridge pole and be spaced 24 inches apart to create a stable fixing base.
- Sourcing Reeds — Dried reeds should be obtained ready for thatching. The best reeds are harvested during the winter months as standing dead material, ensuring they are completely dry and suitable for use.
During the Thatched Roof Installation
- Bundling the Reeds — The reeds are gathered together into bundles of approximately 8 inches in diameter, with the tops twisted to hold each bundle securely together.
- Installing the Thatched Roof — Starting at the bottom corner on one side of the roof, wire and pliers are used to attach one bundle of reeds at a time to the cross members.
- Building Up the Layers — This process continues across the entire cross member, making sure there is minimal space between each thatch bundle to create an even, weather-resistant covering.
- Working Towards the Ridge — Thatching continues upwards toward the ridge pole, ensuring that each upper layer overlaps at least halfway down the layer below. This overlapping technique is essential for proper water runoff and long-term durability.
After the Thatched Roof Installation
- Final Checks — Once the roof is completed, it is important to check everything is correctly in place, secure and there is sufficient natural ventilation.
- Clear Up Process — Any scaffolding if used will be taken down and waste removed, along with packing up tools and equipment.
Are materials for thatching a roof sourced in the UK? If so, who supplies them?
"Depends on the materials. All the wheat reed is grown in the UK. The majority of the water reed comes from anywhere between China to Norfolk!"
Is netting or wire mesh better to cover a thatch roof with? Or does it depend on what your thatch material is?
"Most thatched roofs are made up of completely natural materials such as straw leaves and reeds which are highly combustible so my advice would be the wire mesh or galvanised steel mesh."
Building Regulations & Planning Permission for a Thatched Roof Installation
When installing a thatched roof on your property, you may or may not need to worry about planning permission. In some cases, you will definitely need planning permission, for example, if you alter your roof's height.
Below are some of the conditions in which you may need to apply for planning permission:
- If you are planning structural changes to the roof.
- If your new roof materials will react differently in a fire to your current roofing materials.
- If your new roof will project 150 millimetres from the existing roof plane.
- If you are changing the material of your roof.
- If you are moving insulation that will need to be replaced.
- If you are installing a roof light as part of the new roof.
If you are unsure whether your new roof may require planning permission, you can find out more information on the Planning Portal website, or you may want to get in touch with your local authority for some advice.
Your new thatched roof must also adhere to building regulations. These rules are implemented to ensure the roof is safe for you and your family. When you hire a thatched roof specialist, they should have the knowledge required to ensure that all work carried out adheres to the building regulations.
How can I find out if I am living in a listed building? Should I contact my local council or is there another authority I need to get in touch with?
"Historic England maintain a Statutory List which includes a description of each building, and which will refer to some important features of a historic building."
Benefits of a Thatched Roof Installation
There are many benefits to choosing a thatched roof for your property. Below is a list of the advantages that come with having this type of roof:
- Aesthetically pleasing — A thatched roof is a very unique feature of a home. There are not many thatched roof properties left in the UK, so they're a real talking point.
- Durable — Thatched roofs are very durable and can last for many years. Although your roof ridge will need to be replaced regularly, the materials are very long-lasting.
- Insulating — Thatch is naturally very insulating, so it can help to keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This can help to reduce your energy bills.
- Sustainability — The materials needed for thatching are sustainable and environmentally friendly.
- Lightweight — Thatching materials are light and won't require the heavy supports that other roof types need. This can help to lower costs.
Checklist: Hiring Contractors to Install a Thatched Roof
Below is a list of some of the main things that you should consider when looking for tradesmen to carry out a thatched roof installation:
- Have you requested more than one quote? By using MyJobQuote you can find local roofers, who specialise in thatched roofs. Request a full breakdown of costs to ensure you choose the right person for the job at the best rate.
- Is the contractor experienced in installing thatched roofs? Not all thatched roofs are the same, so it’s important to confirm the contractor understands the specific style and materials you’re choosing.
- Have they examples of their previous work? As well as asking for photographs or a portfolio, check their MyJobQuote profile and customer reviews from any recent customers.
- Do they have public liability insurance? This isn't a legal requirement, but most reputable tradesmen will be insured in the event of an accident or unintentional damage to your property.
- Does the contractor offer any guarantees with their work? Always confirm what guarantees are provided ahead of the work being completed, as this can give you peace of mind if issues arise after the installation.
- Do you need to hire any additional contractors? Ask whether other trades will be required for different parts of the work, or if everything is included in the contractor’s service, such as scaffolding and other tasks.
- Will the contractor take care of waste removal? Check that all waste generated during the work will be removed and disposed of properly, rather than being left for you to deal with.
How do I Maintain my Thatched Roof?
Below are some tips for thatched roof maintenance which will help avoid the need for repair work such as the cost to fix a roof leak:
- Clean the roof regularly and remove all moss and leaves with a rake.
- Cut back any overhanging trees that may touch the thatched roof and cause damage.
- Cut trees back regularly as the roof will be prone to damp if it is constantly in the shade.
- Spray the roof with a liquid to prevent moss and algae.
- Repair any holes that may occur due to birds or other animals.
- Keep an eye on the condition of the ridge and flashings and have these replaced every 8 to 10 years.
FAQs
Do I need specialist home insurance to cover a thatched roof?
Most insurers will cover a thatched roof at a premium. Consult with an insurance broker to find you some good quotes from insurance companies that specialise in thatched roofs.
Does a thatched roof need ventilation?
The design and materials used on a traditional thatched roof are naturally breathable, allowing moisture to escape. However, you should always ensure there is adequate airflow in order to prevent damp issues, so periodic checks are recommended.
Do I need to install gutters with my thatched roof?
You won't need to install any guttering with your thatched roof. The overhang from the thatch at the eaves ensures that any excess water runs off the roof and away from the property.
How fire-resistant is a thatched roof?
Modern thatching techniques include fire retardant sprays, wire mesh coverings, and fire barriers to reduce the risk. However it’s important to discuss fire safety measures with your roofer before committing to your installation.
Can a thatched roof be insulated?
Yes, you can improve the energy efficiency of your thatched roof by adding extra insulation. Materials such as breathable insulation boards are also used to ensure the roof remains ventilated while keeping in the heat.
