Summary: ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026 and can fund 100% of loft insulation, cavity wall and solid wall insulation for eligible Birmingham households. Birmingham City Council's Warm Homes: Local Grant covers up to £15,000 for homes in priority areas. Critically - no UK scheme in 2026 funds a full new roof replacement. Grants cover insulation measures only. If you need a new roof, expect to pay £6,500-£14,500 out of pocket, though emergency repair assistance may be available for properties with a confirmed health and safety hazard.
Roof & Insulation Grants Birmingham 2026
If you have been searching for new roof grants in Birmingham, it is important to understand what government funding actually covers before you apply anywhere. The short answer: grants in 2026 fund insulation, not structural roofing. But if your home qualifies, the insulation funding on offer is genuinely significant - up to £15,000 per household, covering everything from loft insulation to solid wall upgrades, all at no cost to you.
This guide covers every active scheme, who qualifies in Birmingham, what the work actually costs, and the one narrow route to emergency roof repair assistance through Birmingham City Council. Read this before you call any installer.
What Grants Are Actually Available in Birmingham Right Now?
Two schemes are live as of June 2026.
ECO4 - Energy Company Obligation 4
ECO4 is the main national grant scheme, funded by energy suppliers and administered via approved installers. It closed briefly to new applications in early 2026 before being extended to run until 31 December 2026. Funding is depleting and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis - if you qualify, apply now.
ECO4 can fund 100% of:
- Loft insulation (standard cold loft, top-up to 270mm)
- Room-in-roof / attic room insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Solid wall insulation (internal or external)
Qualifying benefits - you need to be receiving at least one of:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit element)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit (household income under £16,480)
- Working Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
Not on benefits but low income? The ECO4 LA Flex route allows Birmingham City Council to refer households with income below approximately £31,000/year - you do not need to be on any qualifying benefit. Contact Act on Energy or Birmingham City Council's Housing Standards team to explore this route.
Property requirement: your home must have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. Homes already rated A, B, or C are not eligible. If you do not have a current EPC (valid for 10 years), the approved installer or Act on Energy can arrange an assessment as part of the process.
Birmingham Warm Homes: Local Grant (2025-2028)
Birmingham City Council, funded through the West Midlands Combined Authority, is running a £10.3 million retrofit programme delivered by Next Energy Solutions. It targets 625 private homes in designated Retrofit Priority Areas and covers up to £15,000 per household.
Priority areas covered:
- Balsall Heath
- Bromford
- Castle Vale
- Sparkbrook
- Tyseley and Hay Mills
If you live in B23, B24, B42, B43 or B44 - North Birmingham postcodes outside these priority zones - apply via ECO4 LA Flex instead. You are unlikely to qualify for the WHLG but may still be eligible for full ECO4 funding.
WHLG eligibility:
- Household income under £36,000/year after housing costs, OR
- Receiving means-tested benefits, OR
- Located in a qualifying postcode (IMD deciles 1-2)
- Property must be EPC D-G and privately owned
- Landlords must contribute
Measures covered: loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, underfloor insulation, double glazing, heat pumps, solar thermal, and smart controls.
The Question Everyone Asks: Can I Get a Free New Roof?
No - not through any of the above schemes. This is the most important thing to understand about new roof grants in the UK.
ECO4, the now-closed Great British Insulation Scheme, and the Birmingham Warm Homes: Local Grant all fund insulation measures only. None of them cover structural roofing work - replacing tiles, felt, battens, or rafters is not an eligible measure under any scheme.
A full new roof for a 3-bed semi in Birmingham costs £6,500-£14,500 depending on material. That is an out-of-pocket cost for homeowners. See our full breakdown in our new roof cost guide for Birmingham.
The narrow exception - Birmingham City Council emergency repair assistance
Birmingham City Council may assist with emergency roof repairs (not full replacement) where a Category 1 health and safety hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) has been formally identified. The assistance is typically capped at £5,000 over three years. This is not a standard grant - it requires a Council inspection and a confirmed hazard finding. Contact Birmingham City Council's Housing Standards team directly if you believe your property qualifies.
For all other homeowners needing a new roof, financing options are available. Speak to us at J Dowd & Sons new roof services about spreading the cost.
2026 Cost & Grant Reference Table
The table below shows what each insulation measure costs in full, what grants cover, and what - if anything - you pay.
| Measure | Typical Cost | ECO4 Cover | WHLG Cover | Your Cost (if eligible) | |---|---|---|---|---| | Standard loft insulation (270mm top-up, 3-bed semi) | £500-£930 | 100% | 100% | £0 | | Room-in-roof / attic room insulation | £2,500-£6,500+ | 100% | 100% | £0 | | Cavity wall insulation | £1,200-£5,000 | 100% | 100% | £0 | | Internal wall insulation (solid-wall) | £8,000-£15,000 | 100% | Up to £15,000 | £0 | | External wall insulation (solid-wall) | £12,000-£22,000+ | 100% | Up to £15,000 | £0-£7,000+ | | New roof - concrete tiles (3-bed semi) | £6,500-£14,500 | Not covered | Not covered | Full cost | | New roof - natural slate (3-bed semi) | £13,000-£22,000 | Not covered | Not covered | Full cost | | Emergency roof repair (HHSRS Cat 1 hazard) | £500-£5,000 | Not applicable | Not applicable | £0 (Council cap) | | Scaffolding (required for roof or EWI) | £900-£1,800 | Included in grant | Included in grant | £0 if grant-funded |
Full Price Table: What Each Measure Costs in 2026
| Item | Low | Typical | High | Notes | |---|---|---|---|---| | Standard loft insulation (cold loft, 270mm mineral wool top-up) | £500 | £700-£930 | £1,200 | Most common grant measure. 100% funded via ECO4 or WHLG for eligible households. Average 3-bed semi-detached. | | Room-in-roof / attic room insulation | £2,500 | £3,500-£5,000 | £6,500+ | More complex than standard loft - requires insulating slopes, gable ends and ceiling. Covered under ECO4/WHLG subject to survey. | | Cavity wall insulation | £1,200 | £2,000-£2,500 | £5,000 | 100% funded under ECO4 for qualifying households. Often combined with loft insulation in the same visit. | | Internal wall insulation (solid-wall homes) | £8,000 | £10,000-£13,000 | £15,000 | Reduces floor area slightly. 100% funded under ECO4 for eligible households with EPC D-G rating. | | External wall insulation (solid-wall homes) | £12,000 | £15,000-£18,000 | £22,000+ | Funded up to £15,000 under Warm Homes: Local Grant. ECO4 can cover in full for qualifying households. Dramatically improves EPC rating. | | New roof - full replacement (3-bed semi, concrete tiles) | £6,500 | £8,200-£10,500 | £14,500 | NOT covered by ECO4 or Warm Homes grants. Grants cover insulation only, not structural roofing. Full out-of-pocket cost for Birmingham homeowners. | | New roof - full replacement (3-bed semi, natural slate) | £13,000 | £16,000-£18,000 | £22,000 | No grant available for like-for-like replacement. Speak to J Dowd & Sons about finance options. | | Emergency roof repair (council-assisted - HHSRS Cat 1 hazard) | £500 | £1,500-£3,000 | £5,000 (cap) | Birmingham City Council may assist with emergency repairs only where a Category 1 hazard is confirmed. Capped at £5,000 over 3 years. NOT a replacement grant. | | Scaffolding (required for any roof or EWI work) | £900 | £1,200-£1,500 | £1,800 | Typically included in grant-funded insulation quotes. Always confirm with your installer. |
Birmingham-Specific Considerations
Victorian terraces and 1930s semis
The majority of housing in Erdington, Kingstanding, Perry Barr and surrounding North Birmingham is either Victorian terrace (solid brick walls, no cavity) or 1930s semi-detached (cavity walls, often uninsulated). The distinction matters enormously for grants.
Solid-wall homes (pre-1920 Victorian and Edwardian terraces) cannot receive cavity wall insulation - they need internal or external wall insulation instead. These are more expensive measures, but ECO4 covers them in full for eligible households. External wall insulation on a solid Victorian terrace will move it from EPC E to B or C in most cases.
1930s semis typically have 50mm cavity walls and uninsulated lofts. A single ECO4 visit can insulate both simultaneously. With Birmingham's clay subsoil and the movement it causes in older properties, a properly insulated loft also reduces the thermal stress on ridge tiles and flashings - which feeds directly into roof longevity. See our Birmingham roofing challenges guide for more on this.
Conservation areas
Bournville, Edgbaston, Harborne, and parts of Sutton Coldfield have conservation area designations. External wall insulation - which changes a building's external appearance - may require planning permission in these areas. Internal wall insulation is usually the preferred route. Your ECO4 installer and a conversation with Birmingham City Council Planning will clarify requirements before any survey.
Properties rated EPC C or better
If your home has already been upgraded and holds an EPC rating of A, B, or C, you are not eligible for ECO4 or the Warm Homes: Local Grant. This is by design - the schemes target the least energy-efficient homes. It does mean, however, that if you need roofing work, there is no grant route available and the full cost applies.
What Happens After ECO4 Ends in December 2026?
The UK government has confirmed there will be no direct successor to ECO4's supplier-obligation model. The scheme that has funded millions of free insulation installations since 2013 ends on 31 December 2026 with no replacement.
The Warm Homes Plan - £1.5 billion of additional funding announced for low-income household upgrades - is expected to become the primary route from 2027/28, delivered through local authorities. As of June 2026, full delivery mechanics have not been confirmed. The Birmingham Warm Homes: Local Grant runs independently to March 2028.
The practical implication: if you qualify for ECO4 now, every month you wait is a month of available funding spent by someone else. Act on Energy (freephone 0800 988 2881) can check your eligibility at no cost and refer you to an approved installer. This call takes ten minutes and could save you thousands.
How to Apply - Step by Step
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Call Act on Energy free on 0800 988 2881. They are Birmingham City Council's recommended impartial energy advice charity. They will check your eligibility for ECO4, the WHLG, and any other applicable schemes in one call - no installer pressure, no obligation.
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Gather your documents. You will need: proof of benefit entitlement or income (last 3 months' bank statements or a recent payslip), your property's EPC if you have one, and proof of ownership or tenancy.
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Survey your home. An approved ECO4 or WHLG installer will carry out a free survey to confirm eligibility and identify the right measures. For attic rooms or room-in-roof situations, confirm the surveyor has experience with this specific measure - it is distinct from standard loft insulation.
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Installation. For standard loft insulation, most jobs complete in half a day. Cavity wall insulation takes a full day. External wall insulation is a multi-day project requiring scaffolding.
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If you need a new roof as well. If your insulation survey reveals that the roof structure itself needs attention before insulation can proceed - common in older Birmingham properties - speak to J Dowd & Sons. We work alongside insulation installers and can sequence the work so scaffolding costs are shared. See our roofing services page for details.
FAQ
Can I get a free new roof through a government grant in 2026?
In almost all cases, no. No UK government scheme in 2026 provides a free full roof replacement. ECO4 and the Warm Homes: Local Grant fund insulation measures - loft insulation, cavity wall, solid wall - not the structural work of replacing tiles, felt, and rafters. The one narrow exception is Birmingham City Council's emergency repair assistance for properties with a confirmed Category 1 hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which may cover urgent roof repairs up to approximately £5,000. Contact Birmingham City Council's Housing Standards team to find out if your property qualifies.
What insulation grants are available for Birmingham homeowners in 2026?
Two main live schemes. ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026 and can fund 100% of loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and solid wall insulation for households receiving qualifying benefits with a home rated EPC D-G. You can also qualify via the LA Flex route if your household income is below approximately £31,000 without being on benefits. The Birmingham Warm Homes: Local Grant (2025-2028), funded through the West Midlands Combined Authority, targets 625 homes in priority areas (Balsall Heath, Bromford, Castle Vale, Sparkbrook, Tyseley and Hay Mills) and covers up to £15,000 of improvements. Call Act on Energy free on 0800 988 2881 - they will check your eligibility for both.
Does my loft insulation grant cover an attic room or room-in-roof?
Yes, but it is a different measure to a standard cold loft. Room-in-roof insulation involves insulating the sloped sections, gable ends and flat ceiling of a habitable attic room - it is more complex and costs £2,500-£6,500+ rather than the £500-£930 for a standard loft top-up. ECO4 and the Warm Homes: Local Grant both cover room-in-roof insulation, but it requires a specialist survey to confirm suitability. If you have a converted or convertible attic in North Birmingham, apply via ECO4 before December 2026.
What benefits qualify for ECO4?
Universal Credit, Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit (household income under £16,480), Working Tax Credit, and Housing Benefit. You do not need to be on benefits if your household income is below approximately £31,000 and you are referred via the Local Authority Flex route - contact Birmingham City Council or Act on Energy to explore this. Your property must also have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G.
What EPC rating do I need to qualify for insulation grants?
For both ECO4 and the Birmingham Warm Homes: Local Grant, your home must have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. Homes already rated A, B, or C are not eligible. If you do not have a current EPC (valid for 10 years), your grant installer or Act on Energy can arrange a new assessment, which is typically included as part of the grant process.
What happens after ECO4 ends in December 2026?
The UK government has confirmed there will be no like-for-like successor to ECO4's supplier-obligation model. The Warm Homes Plan - with £1.5 billion in additional funding announced for low-income household upgrades - is expected to become the primary route from 2027/28, delivered through local authorities. Details had not been fully confirmed as of June 2026. The Birmingham Warm Homes: Local Grant runs to March 2028 regardless. Check GOV.UK regularly for updates, and if you are eligible for ECO4, apply before 31 December 2026 as funding is first-come, first-served.
Need help working out what your roof needs before or alongside an insulation grant? J Dowd & Sons are North Birmingham roofers covering B23, B24, B42, B43 and B44. We are NFRC members and work to BS 5534 and Building Regulations Part L. Get a free quote from our roofing services page or call to discuss your situation before any insulation survey.