The Honest Picture
There is no universal grant scheme for roof repairs in the UK. What exists is a patchwork of means-tested schemes, mostly focused on energy efficiency rather than structural repair. Most Horsham homeowners will fund roof work from savings, a home improvement loan, or their home insurance — grant funding is the exception, not the rule.
Schemes That Might Apply
Great British Insulation Scheme
This government scheme funds insulation upgrades for homes below a certain energy efficiency rating (EPC Band D or below, in most cases). If you are having a roof replaced, insulation at rafter level can sometimes be funded under this scheme at the same time. It does not fund the roofing work itself — only the insulation element. Apply via simpleenergyadvice.org.uk.
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)
ECO4 funds energy efficiency improvements for households on qualifying benefits. It can fund insulation upgrades and in some cases other improvements. It does not typically fund structural roof repairs. Your energy supplier can tell you if you qualify — all major energy companies participate.
Local Authority Discretionary Funds
Horsham District Council has discretionary housing funds that can occasionally cover emergency repairs for vulnerable households. These are not guaranteed, vary in availability, and are typically a last resort for households in genuine hardship. Contact the council's housing team for current availability.
VAT on Roof Work
Standard 20% VAT applies to most roofing repairs and replacements. Energy efficiency improvements — including insulation installed as part of a re-roof — currently qualify for 0% VAT under HMRC rules. We apply the correct VAT rate to each element of the work and show the breakdown in the written quote.
Energy Efficiency Upgrades During a Re-Roof
The most cost-effective time to upgrade roof insulation is during a full re-roof — the roof is stripped, the deck is exposed, and the cost of installing insulation at rafter level is marginal compared to returning later and installing it from inside the loft. Current Building Regulations require a minimum of 270mm of mineral wool insulation at joist level in cold loft spaces, or a minimum U-value of 0.16 W/m²K for rafter-level insulation in warm loft conversions. We include insulation assessment in all re-roof surveys and advise on upgrade options and VAT treatment (insulation currently qualifies for 0% VAT when installed as part of a re-roof).
What Your Home Insurance Does and Does Not Cover
Home insurance typically covers sudden, unexpected roof damage caused by storms, falling trees or similar events. It does not cover gradual deterioration, wear and tear, or the consequences of deferred maintenance. The dividing line in insurance claims is between storm-caused damage and pre-existing wear that the storm has exposed. We provide written damage reports that clearly distinguish between the two — specifying what was storm-caused and what was pre-existing. Reports formatted in this way are accepted by most major insurers without dispute. Claims where this distinction is unclear take longer to settle.
Green Homes Grant — What Replaced It
The Green Homes Grant scheme closed in 2021. The schemes that replaced it — the Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 — are more narrowly targeted on energy efficiency improvements for lower-income households and lower EPC-rated properties. There is no direct replacement for the broader Green Homes Grant. If a contractor is offering work "under the Green Homes Grant," this is either misinformed or dishonest — the scheme no longer exists. Current legitimate energy efficiency schemes are administered through energy suppliers and the Simple Energy Advice service.
Getting the Work Done in Horsham
All surveys in Horsham are free with no call-out fee. We attend within 3–5 working days for planned surveys and aim to reach emergency call-outs within 2–4 hours. Every job receives a written, itemised, fixed-price quote before any work starts — no verbal estimates and no bills that exceed the accepted written quote.
We are NFRC registered and carry £5 million public liability insurance. All work carries a written 10-year workmanship guarantee backed by a named, verifiable local contractor. Guarantee and insurance documentation is provided on request before any survey visit.
We cover Horsham and the surrounding West Sussex area including Roffey, Broadbridge Heath, Southwater, Billingshurst, Pulborough, Storrington, Henfield, Crawley, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, East Grinstead and Worthing. Call 0140 358 1272 to arrange a free survey.
Last reviewed: July 2026 by Horsham Roofing Experts.