Natural slate on Victorian and Edwardian properties is among the most durable roofing material available. When it fails — almost always through nail sickness rather than the slate itself — like-for-like natural slate replacement is the correct response.
The Victorian and Edwardian terraces across Chichester and the surrounding towns were largely roofed in Welsh slate. The material itself is essentially indestructible; the failure mode is the original iron nails corroding after 80 to 120 years. Understanding the difference between nail-sick slate that needs re-nailing and slate that needs full re-slating is what determines the most cost-effective intervention.
Slate Repair (per slate)
£35–£80
Re-nailing (per m²)
£25–£45
Full Re-slate (3-bed)
£5,500–£9,000
Survey
Free
Nail Sickness Diagnosis
Individual slates that have slipped down the pitch are the visible sign of nail sickness. From close range, corroded nail heads, elongated nail holes and slates that move when pressed indicate the extent. Re-nailing — replacing corroded nails on slates that have not yet moved — is appropriate where sickness is confined. Full re-slating is appropriate where it is widespread across multiple pitches.
Welsh Slate Matching
Matching Welsh slate requires attention to size, thickness, colour and grain direction. Penrhyn, Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland slates all have distinct colour profiles. We source matching Welsh slate through established suppliers and bring sample slates to the survey for visual comparison. For conservation area properties, natural Welsh or equivalent-quality natural slate is the only acceptable specification.
Re-Slating Specification
Full re-slating involves stripping all slates, replacing felt or breathable membrane, replacing or supplementing battens, and re-laying slates in the correct bond with stainless steel nails. Breathable membrane is specified as standard — the improved vapour permeability compared to traditional felt significantly extends batten and rafter lifespan in Chichester's damp coastal climate.
Free survey — no call-out fee — Selsey & surrounding area
Selsey bill peninsula tip, three-sided sea exposure, highest emergency call rate. For slate roofing in Selsey, this means full mechanical fixing throughout all re-roofing, bungalow stock at nail sickness threshold. We factor this into our survey, specification and material choice on every Selsey job — not as an afterthought but as the starting point for getting the work right.
Customer Reviews
What Selsey Customers Say
★★★★★
"Excellent welsh slate repair with matched reclaimed slate. Free survey, clear quote, arrived on time and cleaned up completely. Exactly what you want."
Desmond K. · Selsey
★★★★★
"Used them for re-nailing on victorian terrace. Honest assessment, matched materials perfectly, no pressure on scope. Very happy with the result."
Vivienne A. · Selsey
★★★★★
"Called for full re-slate in natural welsh slate after another contractor let me down. Professional from first call to completion. Recommend unreservedly."
Selsey bill is the most southerly point of west sussex and the most exposed location in the entire coverage area, with three sides of the peninsula facing open sea. For roofing work in Selsey, this means We carry out more post-storm emergency call-outs per property in Selsey than anywhere else we cover — full mechanical fixing throughout all re-roofing is non-negotiable. Predominantly bungalow and low-pitch 1950s to 1970s stock now at nail sickness threshold. We factor all of this into our survey, specification and material choice on every Selsey job.
The repeat call pattern from Selsey — post-storm emergency leading to temporary make-safe, then permanent repair, then a year or two later repeat from a different pitch — is one we know from experience. A proper conversation at the survey about full replacement versus continued repair saves Selsey homeowners money over the medium term. We have it honestly.
Free survey across all Chichester postcodes and the surrounding area. Written quote with full itemised breakdown. No call-out fee, no obligation, and no pressure to commit before you are ready. We have been carrying out this work in Chichester and the surrounding area for over 20 years. Our reputation here is built on honest assessment and correct specification — not on selling work that is not needed. Call 01243 278085 to arrange a free survey.
Honest advice
How to Tell You Need Slate Roofing
Slate problems on Chichester's Victorian stock are usually nail sickness — the fixings failing, not the slate — showing as slipped or missing slates across a slope.
Slates slipped out of line or missing across the roof
Slates lying broken in the garden or gutters
A slope that has been patched with mismatched slate
Damp in the loft directly under slipped slates
A Victorian slate roof that has never been re-nailed
When it is not the answer: If more than a third of the slope has failed, tile-by-tile replacement is money wasted — a strip-and-relay reusing your sound slate is better value. Read the full guide.
Nail sickness: why sound slates slipThe process
What to Expect: Slate Roofing in Selsey
1. Free survey
We inspect the roof at close range and diagnose the actual issue on your Chichester property.
2. Written itemised quote
You receive a written, itemised quote with no call-out fee and no obligation.
3. Scheduling
We book a time that suits you, with weather margin built in.
4. The work
We carry out the work in materials matched and correct for the property.
5. Cleanup and sign-off
We clear the site and hand over the written 10-year workmanship guarantee.
Timescales
Typical Timescales
Job
Typical duration
Minor works
A few hours
Typical job
1 day
Larger works
2–3 days
Wet or high-wind days can pause work at height — we build weather margin into every Chichester booking.
Access
Access, Scaffolding & Permits in Selsey
Access is by tower, ladder or scaffold depending on the job and the property; scaffold is always itemised in the written quote. Scaffold is specified for: any job needing safe standing time at height - always itemised in your written quote, never a hidden extra, and we arrange it.
Selsey's bungalow and chalet stock on the Manhood Peninsula gives easy low-level access, but maximum wind exposure demands secure fixing. Pavement scaffold and skip permits go through Chichester District Council; allow a few working days on streets like High Street, Hillfield Road, Beach Road where space is tight.
Pricing
Slate Roofing Prices in Selsey
Job
Typical range
Notes
Slipped or cracked tile refix
£150–£250
Per visit incl. access
Lead flashing renewal
£350–£750
Chimney or abutment
Valley lining replacement
£400–£900
Common on tree-shaded roofs
Ridge re-bed (per metre)
£40–£70
Lime mortar on period stock
Chimney repointing
£350–£900
Per stack, by scope
What moves the price
Roof height and whether scaffold or a tower is needed
Whether matched or reclaimed materials are required (conservation areas)
The extent of hidden damage found once the covering is lifted
Access on tight terraced streets
Whether the defect is one point or several
Worked example: A rear valley rebuild on a 1930s Summersdale semi: around £680 including tower access and waste removal.
No deposit on repairs under £500. You never pay before the work is done and inspected. Re-roofing over £5,000 is staged — nothing up front before materials are on site. Reduced 5% VAT usually applies to re-roofs; confirmed in writing.
Covering PO20 and surrounding postcodes.
Guarantee
What the 10-Year Guarantee Actually Covers
Workmanship is covered for 10 years in writing, with manufacturer warranties on any materials on top.
Covered: workmanship for 10 years, in writing, transferable if you sell.
On top: manufacturer warranties on materials (terms vary by product).
Not covered: storm or impact damage - that is an insurance matter, and we will document it for your claim.
If a fault appears in covered work, we come back and put it right. No quibbling, no re-charge.
Good to know
Disruption, Mess & Weather
We keep disruption to a minimum, protect the area below the work, and clear everything before we leave. You do not need to stay home for external work - we just need power and access agreed in advance.
Most work runs year-round; temporary weatherproofing goes on the same day if rain interrupts. Selsey Bill takes three-sided sea exposure — the most storm-battered position in the district.
FAQ
Slate Roofing Selsey: Common Questions
Costs vary by scope and access. Slate Repair (per slate): £35–£80. Re-nailing (per m²): £25–£45. We provide a free survey and written itemised quote for all work in Selsey — no obligation to proceed.
Yes. Selsey is part of our regular working territory. We carry out slate roofing across all Selsey postcodes and the surrounding area. Our own team on every job — no subcontractors.
No. The survey visit and quote are free with no obligation. For emergency work, we charge only for the make-safe and repair — no separate call-out fee on top.
Minor repair or maintenance visits typically take 2 to 4 hours. Larger jobs — re-roofing, full flat roof replacement — take 3 to 7 days depending on size and complexity. We confirm the programme in the written quote.
Scaffold requirements depend on the job and property height. We confirm access requirements in the written quote. Scaffold cost is always included as a line item so there are no surprises.
Yes. Selsey bill peninsula tip, three-sided sea exposure, highest emergency call rate. For slate roofing this means full mechanical fixing throughout all re-roofing, bungalow stock at nail sickness threshold. We specify materials and methods appropriate to Selsey's specific conditions at the survey.
Yes. Our NFRC membership is current and verifiable at nfrc.co.uk. We hold £5m public liability insurance and provide a written 10-year workmanship guarantee on all slate roofing in Selsey. All credentials available on request.
Diagnosing Slate Roof Condition in Selsey
A slate roof condition survey in Selsey covers: the proportion of slates that have slipped from their original position; close inspection of nail heads for corrosion on slates that have not yet moved; the condition of the felt underlay at the eaves; ridge and hip tile mortar condition; and valley lining condition. The key diagnostic question is whether nail sickness is confined — affecting individual slates or one pitch — or widespread across multiple pitches. Confined sickness can be addressed by re-nailing affected slates, which is significantly less expensive than full re-slating. Widespread sickness warrants the replacement conversation.
Welsh Slate Matching in Selsey
Matching Welsh slate for repair work requires attention to size, thickness, colour and grain direction. The Victorian properties in Selsey were largely slated with Penrhyn or Ffestiniog Welsh slate — distinct colour profiles that look noticeably different from each other and from modern Spanish slate. We bring sample slates to the survey for visual comparison and source matching material through established suppliers. For conservation area and listed building properties, natural Welsh or equivalent-quality natural slate is the only acceptable specification. Spanish slate, fibre cement and reclaimed thin slate are not appropriate substitutes for visible elevations on period properties.
Slate Roofing Costs in Selsey
Individual slate replacement costs £35 to £80 per slate including access. Re-nailing on a pitch where nail sickness is beginning costs £25 to £45 per square metre. Full re-slating on a 3-bedroom semi in Selsey typically costs £5,500 to £9,000 in natural Welsh slate, depending on roof area and complexity. Surveys are free with no obligation. We confirm at the survey whether re-nailing or full re-slating is the appropriate response for your specific roof.
Get In Touch
Free Quote — No Call-Out Fee
Honest pricing from a local Chichester roofer. Free survey, written quote, no obligation in Selsey.
