The short answer
A professional roof clean in the UK typically costs around £300–£700 for a terraced or semi-detached home and roughly £700–£1,200 for a detached property, before access extras. Priced by area, hand-removal of moss with a biocide treatment tends to run about £10–£20 per square metre, while soft washing is usually about £12–£18 per square metre. A standalone biocide treatment to slow regrowth is commonly £150–£300. The biggest swing is access: where a roof can only be reached safely with scaffolding rather than a tower or harness line, that can add a substantial sum, especially on a tall or awkward property. The main drivers are roof area, pitch, how much growth there is, the method, and access.
Price depends mainly on roof area, the cleaning method, how heavy the moss or algae growth is, and how the roof is reached safely. The figures below are typical UK ranges for guidance, not quotations. This page covers cleaning only — not repairs or re-tiling.
Typical UK costs
- Terraced / semi clean£300–£700
- Detached clean£700–£1,200
- Hand-removal + biocide£10–£20 / m²
- Soft washing£12–£18 / m²
- Biocide treatment£150–£300
What drives the price
- Roof area & pitch: you largely pay per square metre, so a bigger or steeper roof costs more — a detached home has far more roof than a mid-terrace.
- Method: hand-removal with biocide, soft washing, steam and pressure washing sit at different prices (see the soft-versus-pressure page).
- Amount of growth: a thick moss layer takes longer to clear and may need more biocide than a light algae film.
- Access & safety: a tall, steep or awkward roof that needs scaffolding rather than a tower or harness adds cost.
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced / semi clean | £300–£700 | smaller roof area |
| Detached clean | £700–£1,200 | larger area, often taller |
| Hand-removal + biocide | £10–£20 / m² | by area; gentle on tiles |
| Soft washing | £12–£18 / m² | low-pressure, tile-safe |
| Biocide treatment | £150–£300 | slows regrowth for a few years |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote roof-cleaning cost guides.
Why method and access move the number
Two roofs of the same size can be priced very differently. A light algae film soft-washed off a low bungalow is at the lower end; a thick moss carpet hand-stripped from a tall, steep detached roof that needs scaffolding is at the upper end. Because much of a roof job is safe access and labour time, the way your roof is reached often matters as much as its area. When comparing quotes, check what method is used, whether biocide is included, and how access is priced.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to clean a roof in the UK?
A professional roof clean typically costs around £300–£700 for a terraced or semi-detached home and roughly £700–£1,200 for a detached property, before access extras. By area, hand-removal with biocide runs about £10–£20 per square metre and soft washing about £12–£18 per square metre.
How much does a biocide treatment cost?
A standalone biocide treatment to slow moss and algae regrowth is commonly £150–£300, depending on roof area. It is often included with, or added after, a clean rather than priced as a separate visit.
Why is the price range so wide?
Because roofs differ. The area and pitch, how heavy the growth is, the method used, and how the roof is reached safely all move the figure. An on-site assessment gives the accurate number for your home.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific roof. They are guidance, not a quotation.