What Affects the Cost of a New Roof in Sri Lanka?

Roof area and shape

More area means more sheets, more purlins and more labour. Shape matters as much as size: a simple gable roof is quicker to build than one with several hips, valleys and changes of level, even if the area is the same.

Pitch and height

Steeper and higher roofs take longer to work on safely and need more access equipment. Pitch also decides which materials can be used, because tiles need a steeper pitch than most metal sheets.

Material and thickness

Colour coated sheets, zincalume, tiles and insulated panels all price differently. Within one material, a thicker sheet costs more but suits longer spans and more exposed sites. The right choice depends on your building, not on the cheapest line.

The structure beneath

Steel purlins, GI trusses and timber carry different costs, and the structure must follow your engineer's design. Heavier roofs such as tiles need a stronger frame, which adds to the total.

Site access

A clear site with room for a delivery truck is quicker and cheaper to work on than a narrow lane, a tight plot or a roof above a busy shop. Distance from our base also affects transport.

Details that add cost

These are easy to forget, but they belong on every complete quotation.

• Ridges, flashings and fixings
• Valleys, hips and openings such as skylights
• Gutters and downpipes
• Translucent sheets for daylight
• Removal of an old roof
• Scaffolding and access equipment

Comparing quotations fairly

Two quotations for the same roof can look very different simply because one includes flashings, gutters or removal of the old roof and the other does not. Line them up item by item, check the sheet thickness and material are the same, and ask what is excluded before you compare the totals.

How to get an accurate quotation

Send drawings or photos and your location with the quote form. We may still need to measure on site before the final price. A good quotation lists every inclusion and exclusion, so you can compare like with like.