The short answer
Replacing lead flashing typically costs around £40–£70 per metre fitted in the UK, though short or awkward runs can sit higher per metre because of fixed access and call-out costs. Lead flashing is the weatherproof seal at the joints in a roof — where it meets a chimney, a wall, a dormer or a valley — and it is usually formed in Code 4 or Code 5 lead for most domestic work. On materials alone, replacing flashing across a whole roof works out at roughly £80–£140 per square metre of lead, but most homeowners are quoted a fitted per-metre or per-job figure. The price depends mainly on the metres of flashing, the lead code, and the height and access of the work.
Lead flashing is sold by code and fitted by the metre, so the cost tracks how much lead is replaced and how hard it is to reach. The figures below are typical fitted prices for guidance, not quotations.
Typical UK figures
- Lead flashing (fitted)£40–£70 / metre
- Materials only£80–£140 / m² of lead
- Common domestic codesCode 4 & Code 5
- Step flashing£200–£700
- Day rate (pair)£200–£300
What lead flashing does and why it is fitted
- Abutments: where a roof meets a wall, flashing is dressed into a mortar joint and over the roof to shed water away from the junction.
- Chimneys: a combination of front apron, side step flashing and soakers, and a back gutter seals the stack to the roof.
- Valleys: a lead-lined valley carries water down the join between two roof slopes.
- Dormers & abutments: lead seals around dormer cheeks, parapets and other raised features.
What moves the per-metre price
Two runs of flashing the same length can be priced very differently. A heavier lead code uses more lead and costs more per metre; a two-storey or steep position needs scaffolding or a tower; and a flashing that requires re-cutting a mortar chase and re-pointing takes longer than dressing into an existing joint. Short jobs also carry a minimum call-out, so a single metre of flashing rarely costs a sixth of six metres — the fixed costs of getting set up dominate small jobs.
| Factor | Effect on price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lead code | heavier = dearer | Code 5 uses more lead than Code 4 |
| Length | more metres = more lead & time | but a minimum call-out applies |
| Access | scaffold adds cost | £60–£150/day hire |
| Mortar work | re-chasing adds labour | vs dressing existing joint |
General guidance — confirm your own case with a measured quote. Sources: MyJobQuote and Checkatrade cost guides.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does lead flashing cost per metre?
Typically around £40–£70 per metre fitted, though short or awkward runs can sit higher per metre because of fixed access and call-out costs. On materials alone, lead works out at roughly £80–£140 per square metre.
What lead code is used for flashing?
Most domestic flashing is formed in Code 4 or Code 5 lead. The correct code depends on the application and exposure, as set out in the Lead Sheet Association guidance.
Why does a short flashing job cost more per metre?
Because there is a minimum call-out and set-up cost — access, tools and travel — that does not shrink for a one-metre job, so the per-metre figure looks higher on small repairs.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific roof. They are guidance, not a quotation.