Cost of a Green Roof in 2026
So, what is the cost of a green roof in 2026? You will not be surprised to learn that this is not a straight forward question to answer. Indeed, the huge variety and shape of roofs coupled with the location and number of green roof systems available mean that every project really is unique. There are a range of factors that should be considered to help provide a guide price for your green roof project.
One of the first factors to impact the cost will be the type of building you want to install your green roof on. For example, a high rise corporate office block in London will require much more planning and equipment to access than a residential bungalow in Bournemouth. Depending on the size of roof being installed, the requirement of a large crane to access the roof installation area can potentially add thousands of pounds to the cost before you even get started. Contrast this with a ladder to access the roof of your garage and you can start to see the potential cost differences before you have even touched a plant.
As already mentioned, the type of green roof installation being undertaken will also impact the cost. In general, an intensive green roof will cost more than an extensive one. This is because an intensive green roof uses deeper soil and a wider variety of plants. The deeper soil adds more weight to the installation which in turn may require a more thorough survey or even a structural report to check the roof loading.
The Renewable Energy Hub states that “as a very rough indication, in the United Kingdom one can expect to pay from around £100 per square metre of extensive green roof, and around £150 per square metre for the intensive variety.” And the Greater Manchester Ignition project information says a domestic green roof installation will have a total cost of anywhere between £200 (for a Small DIY project) up to £6000 for a full roof installation. This will also be effected by any surveys, permits or access issues. A blue-green water management roof or a bio-solar roof option will add costs to these estimates further.
This page is intended as a guide to green roof costs. Every project is unique. Please contact us if you have a project or installation you would like to talk to us about. We are always happy to discuss your plans with you without obligation and have many years advising on and installing green roofs of all shapes and sizes from small domestic roof installs up to some of the biggest green projects in the country.
