Shed Roof Repair: Cost & Options 2026 (UK)
A shed roof repair costs £80–£400 in 2026 for a patch or a re-felt, and £250–£700 to replace the covering completely, depending on the shed size and material. The cheapest fix is not always the best value: traditional felt is inexpensive but short-lived, while EPDM rubber costs more up front and lasts decades. Here is what each option costs, when to repair versus replace, and how to get a shed roof that stays watertight.
2026 shed roof repair & replacement costs
| Job | Typical price (2026) | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Patch a small leak / re-seal | £80–£180 | Short-term |
| Re-felt a standard shed | £150–£400 | 5–10 years |
| Bitumen sheet / shingle re-cover | £250–£550 | 10–15 years |
| EPDM rubber re-cover | £350–£700 | 20–30 years |
| New roof deck (rotten boards) | +£100–£300 | — |
Felt vs EPDM vs bitumen sheet
Roofing felt is the cheapest and simplest, but even good torch-on felt only lasts 5–10 years and shed-grade nailed felt often less. Bitumen sheets or shingles look tidier and last longer. EPDM rubber is a single seamless membrane with no laps to fail; it costs the most up front but lasts 20–30 years and is now the go-to for anyone who wants to do the job once. For a shed you use as a workshop or garden room, EPDM is usually the best value over time.
Repair or replace?
Patch a small, isolated leak if the rest of the covering is sound and the boards underneath are dry. If the felt is brittle and cracked across the whole roof, or you can see daylight or damp boards, re-covering is the sensible call — repeated patches on failing felt are money down the drain. Always check the deck: soft or rotten boards must be replaced before any new covering goes on.
What a lasting job includes
- Sound deck: rotten boards replaced, surface dry and clean.
- Proper laps or a seamless membrane with well-formed edges and drips.
- Secure edge trims so wind cannot lift the covering.
- Clear water run-off to a gutter or drip edge, not pooling on the deck.
Shed roof repair costs at a glance — 2026
Source: BestBuilders 2026 regional cost model · 519 UK towns
Full 2026 rate card
| Item | Typical cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Patch a felt tear or lifted lap | £80–£200 | Buys a season or two, not a fix |
| Re-felt a 6x4 or 8x6 shed | £150–£350 | Strip, new felt, re-batten edges |
| Re-felt a large shed or workshop | £250–£500 | Mineral top-sheet felt |
| EPDM rubber re-cover, fitted | £350–£700 | One seamless sheet, 20–30 year life |
| Replace rotten OSB deck boards | +£100–£300 | Common once the felt has leaked a while |
| Handyman/roofer day rate | £150–£250 | Most shed jobs are half a day to a day |
| DIY felt roll (10m x 1m) | £25–£60 | Plus adhesive and clout nails |
| DIY EPDM kit (up to 12m²) | £120–£250 | Membrane, adhesive, trims included |
Repair, re-felt or EPDM?
The honest decision tree: a single tear on sound felt under five years old is worth patching. Felt that is brittle, mossy or bubbled across the roof is beyond patching — strip and re-cover, because water is already tracking under the laps. At that point the choice is £150–£500 for new felt that lasts 10–15 years, or £350–£700 for EPDM that lasts 20–30 and is the last roof most sheds ever need. If the deck flexes underfoot or shows dark rot rings, budget the extra £100–£300 for boards — new covering on a rotten deck is money wasted.
DIY vs paying a pro
Re-felting a small shed is a legitimate weekend job: strip, check boards, roll out, nail the laps, fold the edges. EPDM is also DIY-able with a kit — the skill is in the glue-up on a dry day and neat corners. Pay a professional when the shed is large, the deck needs structural work, or working at the eaves height feels unsafe — a day of labour costs £150–£250 and comes with tidy trims and no second attempt.
Making the new roof last
- Fit drip-edge trims so run-off clears the walls rather than rotting the top boards.
- Cut back overhanging branches — leaf mulch is what kills shed felt.
- Clear the roof and check the laps every autumn.
- On a flat shed roof, add a slight fall with firring strips during the re-cover — ponding halves the life of any covering.
Red flags
- “Just seal it with bitumen paint” on felt that has failed everywhere — a £40 tin that buys three months.
- New felt laid straight over old — traps moisture and telegraphs every ridge.
- Quotes that exclude taking the old covering away.
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