Thatched Cottages For Sale in Essex

A full re-thatch usually costs £20,000 to £40,000 on an average cottage, and ridge replacement every 8 to 15 years costs a few thousand. Water reed lasts longest (30 to 40 years), combed wheat around 25 to 35, long straw around 15 to 25.

No, but you need a specialist insurer or broker. They will typically want a lined, swept chimney, an up-to-date electrical inspection, working alarms and details of when the roof was last thatched. Premiums are higher than a tiled roof but not prohibitive.

Yes. Some high-street lenders decline thatch as non-standard construction, but plenty lend with a satisfactory thatch report. A broker who deals with period and listed homes will save time.

Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Hampshire and Wiltshire in the West and South, plus Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire in the East, with clusters in Oxfordshire, Worcestershire and Leicestershire.

Statistically the main cause is the chimney, not the thatch itself. Lining the flue, sweeping twice a season, burning dry seasoned wood and fitting a spark arrestor where advised removes most of the risk.

If the cottage is listed, changing the material, coat or ridge style normally needs listed building consent. Like-for-like re-thatching is often acceptable, but always confirm with the conservation officer first.