Leadwork - Flashings – cost per m – UK 2026 Rate Guide

Budget rate for supply & lay · typical budget rate before your adjustments

Leadwork - Flashings

per m · supply & lay

£61 – £220 / m

What is it

Leadwork flashings are formed lead strips dressed and fixed to weatherproof junctions between roofs, walls, chimneys and other abutments.

Rate guide

Standard Code 4 lead apron flashing, up to 300 mm girth£61 – £88/m

Code 4 stepped flashing to masonry abutment£83 – £121/m

Code 4 cover flashing with separate lead soaker£105 – £154/m

Code 5 lead flashing, up to 450 mm girth£94 – £138/m

Complex chimney or dormer flashing with dressed corners£143 – £220/m

Labour output

Straight, accessible runs prepared in advance18–28 m/day

Typical wall abutments with chasing and wedging10–16 m/day

Stepped work around tiled roof abutments6–10 m/day

Broken-up chimney work or restricted access3–6 m/day

Key rate adjusters

Lead code and girth

Increasing from Code 4 at 300 mm girth to Code 5 at 450 mm can add £25–£45/m through higher material weight and handling.

Chasing masonry

Cutting, cleaning, wedging and sealing a new chase typically adds £15–£30/m compared with fixing into a prepared chase.

Complex geometry

Steps, corners, returns and short isolated lengths can increase the installed rate by 35–75% through cutting and dressing time.

Access provision

Scaffold alterations, roof ladders or controlled access can add £10–£35/m where these costs are apportioned to modest quantities.

Substrate condition

Irregular masonry, friable joints or remedial backing work can add £10–£25/m before the lead can be securely installed.

Regional and market conditions

London, constrained city-centre sites and specialist labour shortages can increase tendered rates by 15–30%.

Quantity surveyor insights

Waste and buildability: Allow 10–15% for cutting waste on regular runs and 15–25% for stepped, cornered or highly fragmented work; detailing sheets in practical lengths and avoiding over-wide pieces reduces both waste and fatigue cracking.
Scope and procurement: Confirm whether chases, soakers, clips, wedges, sealants, patination oil, access and making good sit with the roofer, leadworker or masonry trade. Early specialist procurement is prudent because fragmented responsibility and late design clarification commonly generate duplicated preliminaries and change costs.

Estimate Anything AI answer · indicative budget rates · updated 31 August 2026