Frequently asked questions

No. Site visits and written quotes are free, no matter how complex. The only thing we charge for is a formal condition survey intended as a written report (typically for pre-purchase or insurance purposes), which we quote on a fixed-price basis depending on the property.

Every quote is itemised — materials, labour, scaffold, skip hire, disposal, edge trims, drainage upgrades and VAT are all broken out separately. There are no day rates hidden inside round numbers. The price you sign is the price we invoice unless we find genuine extra work that you sign off on first.

On larger jobs we'll usually agree a small deposit for materials with the balance on completion. Smaller jobs are payable on completion. We don't take payment in advance for the labour, and we don't ask for cash.

Emergency repairs: same day. Small repairs: usually within 1–2 weeks. Full re-roofs: usually 3–6 weeks from quote acceptance (we're normally booked up a month or so ahead for larger jobs). Commercial work with specific mobilisation requirements: as arranged.

Small repairs: half a day to two days. Chimney upstand work: 2–4 days. Guttering replacement: 1–3 days. Flat roof (garage-sized): 2–3 days. Full re-roof on a 3-bed semi: 5–8 days. Larger detached properties: 10–15 days. Commercial single-ply: 2–4 weeks depending on size.

We only strip as much roof as we can get covered the same day — typically one elevation at a time, with breathable membrane going down the afternoon of the strip. If heavy rain threatens, we tarp the exposed area and down tools until it passes. The inside of your house should never get wet.

No — we plan re-roofs to be liveable. There will be noise during working hours (8am–5pm), scaffold at the windows, and dust in the loft, but the house remains fully functional and secure. If you work from home, there are a few noisy days we can warn you about in advance.

EPDM rubber: 25–50 years depending on grade. GRP fibreglass: 25–30 years. SBS torch-on felt: 20–25 years. Mastic asphalt: 50+ years. Lifespans assume proper fitting and basic maintenance — keeping outlets clear of leaves, washing off moss every few years, and not dragging ladders across the membrane.

Membranes: Firestone RubberGard, Classicbond, IKO Permaphalt, Sika Sarnafil. GRP: Cromar Pro GRP and Restec. Felt: IKO Permatec and Bauder. Skylights: Velux, Fakro, Keylite and Lonsdale. Insulation: Celotex, Kingspan, Recticel. We stick to established brands because replacement parts and warranty support stay available for decades.

Always breathable membrane on new and replacement roofs. Old-style bitumen felt traps moisture and is a major cause of rafter rot in post-war houses. Modern breathable membrane (Klober Permo Air, Marley Eternit Universal) lets vapour out while keeping rain and wind in. It's a significantly better roof for a few pounds more per square metre.

Yes — and we usually recommend it. Current Building Regs require U-value 0.18 W/m²K for replacement flat roofs (typically 120mm PIR insulation above the deck as a warm-roof build-up). The scaffold is up and access is ideal, so it's the cheap moment to upgrade.

Both last about as long. EPDM is a single sheet with no seams on smaller roofs, slightly cheaper to fit, and more forgiving of movement in the building (so better for extensions on older houses). GRP is harder-wearing underfoot and accepts foot traffic better (so better for balconies and dormers people walk on). For a standard garage or kitchen extension that nobody walks on, we'd usually fit EPDM.

Active leaks into habitable rooms, storm damage exposing felt or boards, fallen masonry from chimneys onto the flat roof, detached flashings after heavy rain, damage making the property unsafe or insecure. Tiles slipping in a garden that's been like that for weeks isn't an emergency.

Put a bucket under the drip. If water is pooling in a ceiling and visibly bulging, consider putting a small hole in to drain it rather than let the whole plasterboard collapse. Don't try to climb up in wet weather — it's genuinely dangerous. Ring us on 0330 223 7665 and we'll triage over the phone. We can often be on-site within 60–90 minutes in the local area.

Yes. For storm damage and similar covered events we'll provide the written report, photographs of the failure and a fixed-price quote that insurers accept. We've worked with most of the big UK home insurers. The one we won't do is wait around for the insurance to pay before we start — we invoice you, you reclaim from the insurer.

Like-for-like replacement is permitted development and doesn't need planning permission. Conservation area properties, listed buildings, or any change of roof shape, pitch or height will need permission. Adding rooflights may need permission in conservation areas. Building Regulations (Approved Document L) apply to every re-roof — we handle the notification.

Yes. Any flat roof replacement falls under Building Regs Approved Document L (Conservation of Fuel and Power). We notify via the Competent Persons scheme our membrane suppliers operate, which means you get the building control certificate without involving the council directly.

Yes — we can put you in touch with customers who've had similar work done recently, usually within the same street or village if you want to see how the job looks in person. Just ask at quote stage.

No — we're a fitting firm, not a merchant. If you need materials only (e.g. you're doing your own DIY job), we'll suggest local trade counters.