Roof Vent Installation Cost
Last updated 17th April, 2025
Got damp in your loft? Maybe you need better loft ventilation?
This article discusses the benefits and costs of fitting loft vents to prevent further dampness in your home. We cover the supply costs, labour fees, timeframes and more!
Let's begin!
How Much Do Roof Vents Cost?
To install twenty circular/eaves vents in total to the front and rear of a typical semi-detached or terraced house in the UK would cost around £250, installing four roof vent tiles would typically cost £400, whereas installing four ridge vents to a typical property is around £300.
Most roofers charge around £250 per day and tend to work in pairs for safety as well as practical reasons. With the 3 types of loft vents it's recommended to install at least 1 type and more often than not it's better to install 2 types however all 3 at the same time is a bit overkill.
Table of Contents
Loft Vent Installation Prices
Here are a few average costs for hiring a roofer to install some tile vents on your roof to prevent/reduce condensation build-up in your loft:
| Combination | Avg. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Ridge Vents only | £300 | 3 - 4 hours |
| 4 Tile Vents only | £400 | 4 - 5 hours |
| 20 Eaves Vents only | £250 | 3 - 4 hours |
| 4 Ridge & 20 Eaves Vents | £500 | 6 - 8 hours |
| 4 Tile & 20 Eaves Vents | £600 | 7 - 9 hours |
| 4 Ridge & 4 Tile Vents | £600 | 6 - 8 hours |
Additional Costs
If you have a tradesman working in your loft space, it makes sense to have them take care of other related jobs at the same time to reduce overall labour costs.
Other related jobs could include fitting loft insulation, boarding out the loft, or installing a loft ladder and hatch.
You also may as well go ahead and have the roof tiles checked, then get any damaged or missing tiles replaced.
Some companies which carry out insulation work under the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) scheme, will often supply and fit loft vents for free to avoid the insulation they are fitting getting damp and not insulating your home properly.
However, they will normally only fit some simple and cheap circular vents, and they will not tackle serious loft condensation problems for free, though they may be able to give advice and provide quotes for the work.
Cost Breakdown
Individual costs for hiring a roofer to install 4 ridge vents and 20 eaves vents to a 2-storey semi-detached house with easy access - Total Cost: £500
Materials
£250
Tradesmen
£250
Waste Removal
£0
Why Are Roof Vents Important?
Roof vents help to reduce condensation problems for the home.
If you have excess moisture in the loft, this could lead to:
- Damp issues.
- Insulation being damaged.
- Growth of mould.
- Rotting timbers.
The climate in the UK unfortunately results in humidity, meaning moisture levels will increase in the loft if you don't take steps to allieviate them.
Some homes may not have enough loft vents (or any at all), so roof vent installation will usually help to reduce any build-up of condensation in the loft space.
If left untreated, condensation in the loft space could even damage the structural integrity of your home in the long term.
Given the potential costs of damp and mould damage, along with the cost of loft insulation if you need to remedy any damage, it's worthwhile investing in loft vent work sooner rather than later.
What Types of Roof Vents Are There?
There are three main types of loft vents in the UK:
- Ridge vents
- Tile vents
- Eaves/soffit vents
While other types of house roof vents do exist such as gable or mechanical vents, you don't find these very often in the UK.
Ridge Vents
Ridge vent tiles are situated right at the top of the roof, allowing warm air to escape through the highest point of the home.
These vents are often combined with soffit vents to ensure airflow is balanced throughout the roof space.
Bear in mind that if your ridge tiles are damaged, you might need to replace them to help protect your home. The cost of replacing roof ridge tiles starts from around £140.
Roof Tile Vents
Roof tile vents for houses replace tiles mid-roof and are compatible with 90% of roof tiles currently used in the UK. They also blend in nicely with the aesthetic of the roof, so they won't detract from the overall appearance.
For a typical job you would need two tiles to the front and another two at the rear, ideally scattered in across the roof.
Soffit Vents
Eaves vents are circular vents which are installed at eaves level in the soffit board and allow airflow into the loft space.
These types of vents are often installed in conjunction with ridge vents for additional ventilation.
Can I Install a Loft Vent Myself?
While roof vent installation is possible as a DIY job, it's important to consider whether a professional installation might be better.
If you're inexperienced in loft or roof work, it could end in damage to the ceiling or more expensive roof repairs.
A loft space can also be over-ventilated if too many vents are installed or if they're the wrong kind for your home's needs. This can lead to problems with cold, so it's worth taking advice from a tradesman to understand what your options are.
Typically, extra ventilation is generally easier to add later rather than trying to remove ventilation after fitting if the loft space gets too cold in winter.
FAQs
Alternatively, check with a reputable trade association such as the National Federation of Roofing Contractors Limited (NFRC). However, you should not automatically accept the cheapest quote, rather you should make your choice based on the quality of the advice given and the confidence you have in the contractor. Always ask for a guarantee on any work and ensure that the quotes or estimates are given in writing on headed paper. Agree on payment terms before the work commences and be highly suspicious about large upfront payments as if things go wrong it can be difficult to get your money back.
