Every year we are asked to thatch or re-thatch small structures in gardens: gazebos, garden bars, well covers, kennels, sheds and summerhouses. We are happy to take on the right projects, but it is only fair to explain up front why small roofs cost far more per square metre than a cottage roof.
A small roof is almost all edges. Eaves, gables, ridges and curves take the most time and the most reed, and there is very little open roof where the work goes quickly. Round and many sided roofs are the hungriest of all, because every bundle has to be cut, dressed and fitted to a tight shape. On top of that, the setup is the same as for a full sized job: travel, ladders, tools, materials and a tidy site at the end of every day.
So that you know where you stand before you get in touch, here are approximate prices for some typical garden pieces.
Approximate prices
| Structure | Typical roof area | New thatch, from (approx.) | Re-thatch: strip and recoat, from (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog kennel | 1.2 to 2 m² | €1,950 to €2,500 | €2,150 to €2,750 |
| Well cover or wishing well | 1.5 to 2.5 m² | €2,250 to €3,000 | €2,450 to €3,350 |
| Bin store (2 or 3 bins) | 2 to 4 m² | €2,400 to €3,600 | €2,650 to €4,100 |
| Bus shelter style seat or arbour | 3 to 5 m² | €3,000 to €4,200 | €3,400 to €4,850 |
| Children’s playhouse | 4 to 6 m² | €3,600 to €4,800 | €4,100 to €5,600 |
| Umbrella or parasol hut (round) | 5 to 9 m² | €4,850 to €7,800 | €5,500 to €8,950 |
| Garden bar | 6 to 10 m² | €5,100 to €7,750 | €5,900 to €9,050 |
| Garden shed (simple gable roof) | 7 to 10 m² | €5,400 to €7,200 | €6,300 to €8,500 |
| Gazebo (6 or 8 sided) | 9 to 14 m² | €7,800 to €11,500 | €8,950 to €13,300 |
| Summerhouse | 15 to 25 m² | €10,250 to €16,300 | €12,200 to €19,550 |
| Treehouse | Varies | Price on request, charged at a much higher rate than ground level work | Price on request, charged at a much higher rate than ground level work |
These are approximate prices, not quotations. They show the level of cost you should expect. We will give you a firm price once we have seen photos and measurements, and usually after a paid site visit.
Materials
Materials add a great deal to the cost of any thatching job, and on small and fiddly roofs they often come in above the estimate. Tight curves, short runs and lots of edges use far more water reed than you would expect from the size of the roof, and a lot of each bundle is cut away to get a neat finish.
Our minimum job charge includes up to 50 bundles of water reed and the appropriate fixings, such as hazel and wire. Any reed beyond 50 bundles, and any other materials, are charged extra.
For that reason the final price depends on the amount of reed your roof actually uses. We will quote you after viewing the structure, and the prices on this page should be read as a starting point, not a ceiling.
Minimum job charge
Our minimum charge for any thatching work at your property is €1,950 plus VAT. However small the roof, the travel, setup, materials and skilled time are the same, so this minimum applies to every job, including bird tables, beehive roofs and other small pieces.
The minimum charge includes up to 50 bundles of water reed and the appropriate fixings, such as hazel and wire. Any reed beyond 50 bundles, and any other materials, are charged extra.
Treehouses
Treehouses are charged at a much higher rate than ground level work. Working at height means extra time, scaffolding or access equipment, safety measures and slower handling of reed and materials, so every treehouse is priced on request after we have seen it.
What is included
- Supply of good quality water reed. We work in water reed only. The minimum charge covers up to 50 bundles, and extra reed is charged on top.
- Hazel, wire and the appropriate fixings for the reed used
- Laying a new coat of water reed and finishing it with a ridge
- Cleaning and dressing the finished roof
- Tidying up at the end of the job
What pushes the price up
- Complex shapes: round, 6 or 8 sided, curved or very steep roofs
- Poor access, for example no vehicle access close to the structure, or a roof that needs scaffolding
- Rotten or weak timbers that need carpentry before we can thatch
- Removal and disposal of old thatch. As with our house roofs, waste removal is not included as standard. Please read our waste removal page.
- Stripping several old layers, or old straw and mixed materials
- Decorative ridges and special finishes
- Fire retardant treatment, if you or your insurer require it
- Travel distance from Daingean, Co. Offaly
- Treehouses and other work at height, which are charged at a much higher rate
- Offshore island work, which carries extra costs for our own travel, ferry and accommodation
Where we work
We work throughout mainland Ireland from our base in Daingean, Co. Offaly. Travel costs are included in your quotation.
Work on offshore islands is possible, but it costs extra. We deliver the reed and other materials to the mainland port, for example Rossaveal for the Aran Islands, and you arrange getting them across to the island. Our own travel, ferry and accommodation are added to the quote, so island jobs are quoted separately.
Still interested? Here is what to send
If the prices above suit your budget, we would be glad to hear from you. To get an estimate, please send us:
- Photos of the structure from all sides, including the roof and the area around it
- Measurements: length, width and height, or the diameter for round roofs
- Your location or Eircode
- A short note on what you would like done: new thatch, re-thatch or repair
Email the details to mike@thatchingireland.com or use our contact page. Mike, our professional water reed thatcher, will reply with an estimate.