The average cost of a roof clean for a four-bedroom property in the UK is between £1,200 – 2,500.
Expect to pay around £10 per m² on average for roof cleaning.
A clean roof may be pleasing to look at, but did you know that failing to keep your roof clear and tidy could lead to damaged tiles or water retention and further problems with damp or mould later down the line?
In this guide you’ll find answers to some of the key questions around how much roof cleaning costs, as well as a handy roof cleaning calculator and price list.
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Contents
Having a clean roof helps to prevent the build-up of leaves, debris, moss and algae, and avoid any future roof damage.
It can also provide increased energy efficiency by allowing the property to maintain its temperature more effectively throughout the year, therefore easing the cost of those rising energy bills.
How much does roof cleaning cost?
On average, cleaning a roof can cost between £400 – 2,500.
The cost of your roof cleaning will depend on several factors, depending on the property’s size and condition.
We’ve outlined the main ones below so you can get an idea of how much you might expect to pay.
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What factors affect the cost of cleaning my roof?
Let’s look at the main factors that affect roof cleaning costs.
Size and pitch of the roof
Jobs are often calculated per m², simply put, the larger the roof, the longer the job will take to complete.
Ease of access
A particularly unusual or awkward-shaped roof may take more time to clean and require additional labour hours compared to a short straightforward job.
Method used
A range of roof cleaning methods are available, as outlined below, costs for each will vary.
Roof material
Some roof cleaning methods may not be suitable for all roof materials. Roof tile cleaning costs will potentially be higher than other materials such as asphalt or felt because they are more delicate to work with. You can discuss the best options with your roof cleaner.
If a building is listed
Listed buildings need sensitive care. You may need to consult a specialist roof cleaning company with experience in working with listed properties to ensure your roof clean is handled sensitively.
Roof condition
If your roof needs extensive cleaning then the whole process will take more time, resources and labour which will consequently add to the cost of your overall job.
You may discover that minor repairs are needed during the cleaning process, which will also increase cost. Most roof repairs cost in the region of £100 – 1,000.
Labour charges
Labour charges vary regionally, in particular you can expect your labour costs to be higher in London and the south-east.
Safety equipment
In order to be able to clean a roof safely, specialist equipment will almost certainly be required. Extension poles may be used, and mobile scaffolding towers or larger scaffolding structures may also be needed.
Don’t forget that you may need to factor in the additional hire costs into your budget.
Roof cleaning price list
We’ve outlined some approximate average costs below in our roof cleaning cost calculator for the UK.
| Property size | Pressure washer | Scrape and softwash | Moss removal |
| 2 bedroom terrace | £600 – 1,000 | £600 – 850 | £400 – 600 |
| 3 bedroom semi-detached | £1,200 – 1,800 | £1,000 – 1,500 | £800 – 1,200 |
| 4 bedroom detached | £1,800 – 2,500 | £1,500 – 2,200 | £1,200 – 1,500 |
| Large 5 bedroom detached | £2,500 – 5,000 | £2,200 – 3,500 | £1,500 – 2,200 |
| Get quotes | |||
Different methods of roof cleaning
Pressure washing
The cost of pressure washing is approximately £12 per m², on average.
As its name suggests, fast pressurised jets of water are blasted onto the roof to clean the surface.
Pressure washing is popular and cost effective because it provides an impressive result quickly. It can, however, be messy due to the debris being pushed around with force, and it does not kill the moss or lichen spores so they may return over time.
Don’t be tempted to use your own pressure washer for this job though!
Incorrect use of pressurised water can lead to cracked roof tiles or damage to the underlying roof material. Make sure you call in a qualified roofer with the right tools for the job.
Modern alternatives to pressure washing are now also available.
Roof scraping
The cost of roof scraping is approximately £9 per m², on average.
Loose moss, debris and dirt are manually pulled away from the roof using a scraping blade.
It is a particularly useful method for cleaning older roofs where tiles may be more delicate therefore more likely to suffer from damage.
It’s also the cheapest ‘quick fix’ option when used alone, but when used alongside cleaning treatments your results will last much longer. Scraping will often be used in combination with soft washing.
Softwash roof cleaning
The cost of softwash roof cleaning is approximately £10 per m².
This is the most gentle method of roof cleaning and usually used after a roof has been scraped.
A combination of biodegradable cleaning solutions and gentle water pressure is used to break down and remove any dirt, lichen or moss that may be causing a problem.
It reduces the risk of cracking or damaging tiles as it uses less forceful pressure than traditional pressure washing.
Particularly effective at removing stains from the roof surface due to its use of specialised cleaning products.
Prices for a full roof scrape and softwash range from approximately £800 – 3,500 depending on the size of your property.
Steam cleaning
The cost to steam clean a roof is approximately £12 per m².
High-pressure steam is used in jets to remove any dirt and debris without the use of harsh chemicals, making it a more ecologically friendly option.
The high temperature of the steam makes this choice very effective in killing off the biological growth that causes moss, algae and lichen.
This process is gentle and does not ‘blast’ the roof with the same force as jets of water would when pressure washing so is well suited to more delicate roof surfaces.
Prices range from between approximately £1,000 – 5,000 depending on the size of your property.
Roof moss cleaning cost
The cost to remove moss from a roof is approximately £8 per m².
Stiff brushes and scrapers are used to work the moss from the roof surface and remove it.
Moss build-up can cause moisture to build up in the roof’s structure and add pressure, causing real problems for the roof’s structural integrity.
Once moss is manually removed, the tiles are brushed once more before a biocide cleaning solution is applied to prevent the moss from returning.
Alternatively, the roof can be steam cleaned after manual moss removal.
| Property size | Moss removal & softwash | Moss removal & biocide treatment | Moss removal & steam cleaning |
| 2 bed terraced | £900 | £800 | £1,100 |
| 3 bed semi-detached | £1,300 | £1,100 | £2,100 |
| 4 bed detached | £1,900 | £1,700 | £2,400 |
| Large 5 bed | £3,500 | £3,000 | £4,500 |
| Get quotes | |||
Prices are approximate and based on UK averages, costs will vary depending on job specifications and your location.
Cleaning roof tile cost
The average cost of a manual tiled roof clean is £5 per m² to £12 per m².
Having your roof tiles professionally cleaned will allow a more vibrant colour of tile, giving the whole roof a new lease of life.
Manual moss removal alongside soft-washing or steam cleaning are generally the recommended technique for cleaning tiled roofs.
It is generally not advised to have tiled roofs cleaned using a pressure washer. This method can possibly damage the tiles and lead to cracks or dislodges.
You can discuss whether pressure washing is suitable for your roof with your roof cleaner.
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How long does roof cleaning take?
Roof cleaning is usually completed in one day. Small straight-forward jobs may be finished within a few hours whereas larger properties may require more than one day.
Pressure washing takes less time, usually around 1 – 2 days, with more manual methods such as hand-scrapping taking longer.
Your job is unique to you. Post a job and find out the price of a roof clean and discuss your options with a local roof cleaning company today!