Leadwork in the UK
Specialist lead work — flashings, aprons, step flashings, valleys, and parapet work.
Typical UK cost range
£250–£1,500
National baseline. City-specific ranges are adjusted for local labour and access costs on the city pages below. See the full UK cost guide for the methodology and the factors that move a quote.
What the job involves
Lead flashing is the specialist skill of dressing sheet lead over roof-to-wall junctions, chimneys, dormers, parapets, and valleys. Properly dressed lead has a 60–100 year service life and is the standard for any visible flashing on a listed or period property.
Lead comes in codes 3 through 8, with code 4 and code 5 being the most common on domestic roofs. Using the wrong code is a common shortcut — too thin and it won’t last, too thick and the stress joints fatigue.
What changes the price
- Linear metres of lead required.
- Complexity (simple apron flashing vs stepped flashing around a chimney).
- Code of lead specified.
- Whether scaffold access is required.
Timeline: Varies widely: a single apron flashing is a half-day job, a full set of chimney flashings is 1–2 days.
Pick a city for local pricing
Each city page has adjusted cost ranges, local context, and the roofers in our directory that cover it.
Major English cities
Other English cities
Northern Ireland
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Start my quote requestCommon questions
Why is dressed lead so much more expensive than alternative flashings?
Dressed lead has a 60–100 year service life, works with buildings that move, and is fully watertight when dressed correctly. Alternatives (lead-look membranes, aluminium flashings) are cheaper upfront but have shorter service lives and don’t accept dressing around complex shapes.
Can flashings be reused after a re-roof?
If they’re in good condition, yes — lead is easy to lift, store, and re-dress as part of a re-roof. On older flashings showing fatigue cracks, it’s a false economy; specify new lead at re-roof stage.
Related guides
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