How much will it cost?

The cost of thatching your roof will vary greatly according to a number of factors. These include:

• The size of the roof.
• The shape and design of the roof.
• The types of thatching material used.
• The type and pattern of ridge used.
• The height to the ridge.
• The height to the apex.
• The type of additional features which may be used in the thatching process.
• If there is existing thatching and this needs to be removed.
• The condition of the timber as it may need to be repaired or treated before thatching takes place.
• The required thickness of the thatching coat.

In general though thatchers work in squares which measure 10 feet by 10 feet. Each of these squares will cost on average between £600 and £800 depending on all the factors listed above.

There may be additional costs which at first would not be apparent to the thatcher. For example, from surface inspection the complete condition of the roof timber or existing thatch may not be totally determinable. This is why it is important to get at least 3 separate quotes from different thatchers to see if any of them identify something which the other may have overlooked.

Thatch fires

Thatch fires are not as common as you might think. There was only one death from thatch fires in the 20th century and the fire brigade have estimated that only around 2% of house fires come from thatch roofs. It is thought that most of these fires come from the chimneystack. If there are cracks in this then hot gases are leaked and escape from the flue into the thatch. If you have a working chimneystack and a thatch roof it is worth getting it regularly checked to stop this from happening.

What should I ask the thatcher?

• Are all your materials ecologically renewable resources?
• What type of thatch do you think would be most suitable for my roof and why?
• What maintenance will I need for the thatch? Do you provide this, if so will it be an additional cost or included?
• How long will the thatching take?
• Can you advice me about suitable insurance?
• What type of drainage will you use?
• What type of ridge can (or do) you lay?