A thatched roof can be part of a home’s appeal, but it also deserves its own maintenance plan. For a buyer, the useful question is not simply whether the roof looks picturesque: it is what condition it is in and what work will be needed.
Historic Environment Scotland’s 2018 INFORM guide explains the different types of thatch used in traditional buildings. Its repair guidance emphasises regular maintenance, inspection after storms and attention to the ridge, fixings and damage. It also stresses the importance of the roof structure beneath the covering.
The guide generally calls for an experienced thatcher for repairs. It recommends an approach based on matching details and minimising loss of historic fabric, with advice from the local authority and HES. Listed-building consent may be needed for work to a listed property.
Before concluding missives
Arrange an appropriate inspection and ask for a clear account of the roof’s condition. Distinguish a current defect from a recommendation for routine upkeep. A buyer needs to understand both immediate expenditure and the tasks likely to recur over time.
Request available records of earlier work, including the scope, date and materials used. Those records can help a specialist understand the history, but an old invoice should not be treated as proof of the roof’s present condition.
Compare quotations on the same basis
Ask contractors to explain what is being repaired, what would be retained and which assumptions could change the price. Keep access arrangements, any permissions and the proposed sequence of work in the discussion. The lowest headline price is difficult to assess if the scopes differ.
Think about continued ownership
Discuss the inspection and maintenance routine with the specialist, including what an owner can safely observe from ground level and when to seek help. Avoid treating advice about one roof as a standard specification for every thatched building.
For a property that will be empty for periods, ask how its particular maintenance needs will be managed between visits. Keep the record of inspections and repairs with the other property documents so the next decision starts with evidence rather than recollection.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland, INFORM Guide: Thatched Roofs, 24 May 2018. Checked 8 November 2026.