Roof Moss Removal Cost
Last updated 29th August, 2025
Are you in need of roof moss removal?
This article covers the main aspects of roof cleaning and typical roof moss removal costs. We examine roof tile cleaning, roof cleaning services and treatment options for removing moss from roof tiles.
On average, your roof cleaning cost can be between £300 and £500, depending on the type and shape of the roof.
Take a look below...
How Much to Clean a Roof?
On average, assuming easy access and no tiles need replacing, the roof on a typical UK 3-bedroom semi-detached house can be cleaned manually for around £300 to £500.
This is usually cheaper than the cost of pressure washing your roof, which can be up to £750 for a typical house.
Manually removing moss from a large home with an attached garage and conservatory or porch would typically cost around £700 to £1,000, depending on the location and the size of the roofing company.
Overall, the cost of cleaning and treating your roof will be substantially cheaper than the typical new roof cost of around £4,500.
How much will the labour cost?
Roof cleaners tend to charge around £200 per day, and depending on how badly the moss has built up, it can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours to remove the moss and treat the roof with chemicals to prevent further build-up. If further equipment is needed to safely complete the task, like scaffolding, further costs will be added to the overall price.
Roof Treatment Cost
Many roof cleaners will offer roof treatment as part of the job. This can prevent moss build-up in the future and also improve the aesthetic appeal of your roof.
Adding a roof treatment coating to the job will increase the price, but may save you money in the long run.
On average, the cost of a full roof cleaning and treatment is between £600 and £1,500.
Table of Contents
Roof Cleaning Prices
| House Type | Roof Type | Avg. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terraced | N/A | £400 | 4 - 6 Hours |
| Semi-detached | Gable Roof | £400 | 4 - 6 Hours |
| Detached | Gable Roof | £500 | 5 - 7 Hours |
| Semi-Detached | Hip Roof | £550 | 5 - 7 Hours |
| Detached | Hip Roof | £800 | 7 - 9 Hours |
Additional Roof Cleaning Costs
There may be a few additional costs for manual moss removal, depending on the circumstances of your home.
In addition, there may be extra jobs you decide to have done at the same time to save on labour costs or scaffolding fees.
When the survey is initially done on your moss removal job, the contractor will give you an accurate quote, but often any hidden problems can’t be located until the moss starts to be removed, revealing underlying issues with the roof tiles beneath.
Of course, you can have the moss removal work completed first, and later consider your options for any other problem that has been revealed, unless this is a matter of emergency, or prevents the contractors from completing the moss removal.
Scaffolding
The most common additional cost is the need for scaffolding, especially if you have a tall or uniquely shaped home. Scaffolding allows contractors the ability to work more efficiently and safely at height.
As the cost of scaffolding will vary depending on the style and height of your home, you may be looking at anything from £250 for a basic scaffold tower up to £900 if full scaffolding needs to be erected.
Damaged Roof Tiles
Another additional cost can occur when roof tiles are discovered to be broken underneath the moss that had covered them.
Broken or loose tiles can cause much bigger problems further down the line if they’re ignored after being discovered. This can be in the form of leaks or even falling tiles.
With the cost to replace roof tiles starting from around £75 and the cost to replace roof ridge tiles higher than this, it's worth addressing any problems before they get worse.
Roof Valley Issues
The valleys in your roof are the points where two sloped roofs meet and create a channel for water to run down into your guttering.
If roof valleys are damaged and need repairing or replacing, it's important to get this work carried out before the roof starts to leak. Because of the amount of water that will track into it, a roof valley is a vulnerable spot for any roof.
The typical roof valley replacement cost can range from £75 to £550, depending on the amount of work needed and what type of materials are used.
Roof Eaves Felt
Eaves felt is a crucial line of defence against water entering your home. It overhangs the bottom row of tiles on your rooftop and ensures any water coming down goes into the guttering rather than working its way into the house.
If your felt (or, more likely these days, the plastic eaves tray) fails or is damaged, there's a chance water could work its way up underneath your roof.
The cost of replacing roof eaves felt is typically between £300 and £500.
Other Costs
There are a couple of other tasks you may get your roofer to check while they're cleaning the roof.
Fascias and soffits play an important role in stopping excess moisture from entering your home. Keeping them in good condition is another way of protecting your home from the elements.
Similarly, guttering allows water to flow effectively away from your roof, so keeping these clear of debris is an important job.
The table below demonstrates the typical prices for these extra tasks:
| TASK | AVG. COST | DURATION |
|---|---|---|
| Painting Soffits and Fascias | £700 - £1,000 | 3 - 4 days |
| Replacing Soffits and Fascias | £1,000 - £1,500 | 1 - 2 days |
| Repairing Gutters | £120 - £180 | 2 - 4 hours |
| Replacing Gutters | £450 - £700 | 1 day |
Roof Moss Removal Cost Breakdown Calculator
Individual costs for hiring a tradesman to remove the moss from a gable roof of a 2-storey semi-detached house with easy access - Total Cost: £400
Materials
£100
Tradesmen
£200
Access Tower
£100
Labour Costs and Time Frames
Roofer prices generally account for around 50% of the overall roof moss removal cost.
Labour costs will depend on:
- The shape, size, and type of roof you have.
- How difficult access arrangements are.
- The number of contractors needed to work on the job.
The initial survey shouldn’t take too long, but it just gives the tradesmen an opportunity to review your home and decide what they will need for the job, therefore giving the customer a more accurate price for the job.
In terms of time frames, the length of time it takes to remove roof moss will depend on the amount of work required and whether other issues are uncovered.
As an example, a semi-detached house with a gabled roof should take around 6 hours.
What Factors Impact Moss Removal From Roof Costs?
A few circumstances can affect the cost of removing moss on a roof manually.
Size of Roof
If you have a large roof, contractors may charge you slightly more as it can take more time to remove moss from your roof.
Location of Property
If your property is located in London, it’s more likely that you'll end up paying more to remove moss from your roof than if you’ve lived in the North of the country.
Extent of Moss
If you have your roof regularly cleaned, there won’t be as much moss to remove, and it won’t add anything to the overall cost. However, if you've never had your roof cleaned, and you have a large moss build-up, you may have additional charges added.
Scaffolding Hire
If you live in a two or three-storey house, scaffolding hire may be required to complete the job safely, and this will affect the overall cost.
What Does Removing Roof Moss Manually Entail?
Manually removing roof moss is often more environmentally friendly than jet washing your roof tiles. It is also less likely to damage your roof tiles.
The process of cleaning moss off a roof generally involves:
- Clearing loose debris, such as branches and leaves, from the roof.
- Manually scraping and brushing the roof downwards to remove moss.
- Focusing on areas that are prone to moss, such as those in the shade.
- Gently cleaning around gutters, flashing, and roof joints.
Some tradesmen may lightly rinse the roof afterwards to help remove leftover debris. This is different to jet washing and should not use as much water.
It's important that debris is effectively collected during the moss removal process. Anything that is allowed to wash into the gutters could cause blockages, so check that the gutters are running freely when the job is complete.
Local Authority Approval
In most cases, no approvals from your local authority are required to manually clean the moss from roof tiles.
However, there are exceptions to be aware of:
- If your home is a listed building or is in a conservation area.
- If scaffolding will encroach on a public highway.
- If any temporary traffic measures are required to accommodate scaffolding.
Although roof moss removal is a straightforward job, you don't want to break any local authority rules, so always check if you're uncertain about permissions.
DIY Manual Roof Moss Removal
House roof cleaning requires working at height, and so it is often unsuitable as a DIY project.
Removing roof moss without professional help may also risk damaging roof tiles or causing water ingress.
Unless you feel completely confident about your abilities, it's best to leave work at height to the professionals.
FAQs
Ideally, you would work down the roof with a specialist scraper and modified jet washer to ensure no tiles are damaged while removing the moss.
In fact, a number of tile manufacturers specifically state that pressure washers should not be used with their products to avoid damage, and manual cleaning is often their preferred option.
On certain very shallow-pitch roofs, moss can potentially reduce the flow of water, and in very damp conditions, the roof tiles can be damaged over time. But in most cases, the removal of moss from roofs will be mainly for cosmetic reasons.
How to Find and Hire a Roof Moss Remover
It's often preferable to hire a contractor to complete manual moss removal work for you, due to the safety issues that are apparent in the work.
Roof tiles are also extremely easy to dislodge or damage in the process if you’re not used to working in such environments. To find a contractor to complete this work, search online for experts in your area.
They should be able to demonstrate their experience and knowledge through qualifications, accreditations and reviews from people who have used their services in the past.
You can also ask for quotes from several companies to ensure that you’re paying a fair amount for the work. Another important thing to check is whether the contractor you have chosen is fully insured to work on your home and at height. You can check a contractor out before hiring them on the Homeowners Alliance webpage.
