Your trusted roofer in New Town.
Ronald G Graham carries out heritage and conservation roofing across Edinburgh's New Town (EH2–EH3). We re-slate Georgian roofs in natural slate, renew lead flat roofs, parapet box-gutters and flashings, and work to listed-building and World Heritage standards. Free surveys, NFRC award-winning craftsmanship and a 24/7 emergency line.
Roofing in New Town
The New Town is Georgian, largely listed and part of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Roofs are natural slate behind stone parapets, with concealed lead flat roofs, box gutters and cast-iron rainwater goods — detailing that needs traditional skills, not shortcuts.
What we do most in New Town
- Natural slate repairs and full re-slating behind parapets
- Lead flat roofs, parapet gutters and flashing renewal
- Cast-iron and concealed rainwater goods
- Heritage repairs requiring listed-building / conservation consent
Conservation note. The New Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and overwhelmingly listed. Material changes usually need listed-building consent; we use reclaimed Scottish or matched natural slate and traditional lead detailing, and can advise on consents before work starts.
Roof emergency in New Town? Our yard is in Leith, so we can usually reach an address here within about 30 minutes of an emergency call. The 24-hour line is answered every day of the year.
Every roofing trade, on New Town roofs.
Roofing in New Town — common questions
Can you work on listed buildings in the New Town?
Yes — heritage and listed roofing is core to what we do. We use sympathetic, like-for-like materials (reclaimed Scottish slate, milled lead) and traditional detailing, and can advise on listed-building consent and conservation-area approval before we start.
What slate do you use on New Town roofs?
Historically Scottish slate (Ballachulish or West Highland). It's largely quarried out, so we match with reclaimed Scottish slate where authenticity matters, or high-quality natural Spanish or Welsh slate that closely matches colour, size and weathering.
My New Town flat has a lead flat roof that's leaking — can you help?
Yes. Concealed lead flat roofs, parapet box-gutters and flashings are common in the New Town and a frequent leak source. We renew them in code-appropriate milled lead with correct falls and detailing for a long, watertight life.
Who is the best roofer in New Town?
For roofing in New Town we'd point you to Ronald G Graham — a family-run firm trading since 1996, winner of a National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) UK Roofing Award, TrustMark registered and rated 5.0 out of 5 from 180+ verified reviews. Our yard is in Leith for fast local response, and we cover everything in New Town from a single slipped slate to a full re-roof.
How much does a roof repair cost in New Town?
It depends on the roof, the access and the materials. As a rough guide, minor slate or flashing repairs in New Town typically start in the low hundreds of pounds, while a full re-roof runs to several thousand depending on size, pitch and access. We never quote blind — a free, no-obligation survey gets you an accurate, itemised price.
Do I need a repair or a full re-roof?
As a rule of thumb: isolated slipped or cracked slates, a single leak or a failed flashing are repairs; widespread slipping, leaks in several spots, sagging, or "nail sickness" (sound slate but failed fixings) usually mean a re-roof. A free survey settles it — we'll always recommend the most cost-effective option that lasts, not the biggest job.
How long does a slate roof last in Edinburgh?
A natural slate roof in Edinburgh typically lasts 80–150+ years. The slate itself rarely wears out first — the fixings (nails), lead flashings and timbers usually fail before the slate does, which is why re-fixing and "nail-sickness" repairs are common on older roofs in New Town rather than full slate replacement.
Do you offer free quotes and guarantees in New Town?
Yes — surveys and estimates in New Town are free and no-obligation, and our roofing work carries a workmanship guarantee. Request one online via the contact page or call 0800 234 3243.