- Guide price
- £2,100–£3,600
- Survey
- Free for new and replacement roofs
- Quote
- Fixed, in writing
- Coverage
- England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Berkshire at a glance
- Largest towns
- Reading, Slough, Bracknell, Maidenhead
- Postcode areas
- GU, RG, SL
- Building control
- Reading Borough Council, Slough Borough Council, Bracknell Forest Council and 3 other councils
- Neighbouring areas
- Surrey · Buckinghamshire · Hampshire · Oxfordshire
- Guide price region
- South East (+10% on West Midlands rates)
How much does balcony or terrace waterproofing cost in Berkshire?
Guide prices including VAT at South East rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Balcony (12 m²), liquid-applied, scaffold | £2,100–£3,600 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,750–£3,100 |
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £3,300–£5,900 |
Which flat roofs are common in Berkshire?
Flat roofs in Berkshire sit on newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced, 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches and bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers. Much of the South East sits in the drier Thames catchment at roughly 730 mm of rain a year, so the usual failures are at joints, upstands and outlets rather than from sheer volume of rain. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.
Building regulations in England
Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. Renovated roofs over heated rooms are insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's feasible, and new extension roofs are built to 0.15 W/m²K. In Berkshire the application goes to Reading Borough Council, Slough Borough Council, Bracknell Forest Council and 3 other councils. More on the rules.
Which waterproofing system is best for a balcony?
For most small balconies, a liquid-applied membrane is the practical choice, because it is brushed or rolled on and forms one continuous layer around posts, door frames and outlets with no seams to fail. Many systems include a hard-wearing, anti-slip topcoat.
GRP fibreglass gives a rigid, walkable surface and suits balconies left exposed rather than paved. On larger roof terraces under paving or decking, single-ply membranes are common, and mastic asphalt has a long record on concrete terraces and blocks of flats.
The choice also depends on what goes on top. Paving on pedestals protects the membrane, while an exposed balcony needs a system rated for foot traffic in its own right. We specify the build-up at survey.
Do I need planning permission for a balcony or roof terrace?
For a new balcony or roof terrace, generally yes. In England, balconies and raised platforms are not permitted development for houses, so a planning application is normally needed, and the other nations have their own rules.
Re-waterproofing an existing, approved balcony that looks the same afterwards does not normally need planning. Building regulations are a separate question. A terrace over a heated room is a thermal element, so replacing most of it can bring insulation requirements and approval. Turning a flat roof into a terrace also raises structural questions, because people, furniture and paving add load, and it needs guarding, such as a balustrade, that meets the regulations. A structural engineer should confirm that the roof can carry the new use.
Listed buildings and conservation areas add another layer of control. Our building regulations page covers approvals, and our planning permission guide covers the planning side.
Which towns in Berkshire do we cover?
Balconies and roof terraces in Berkshire: questions
Which towns in Berkshire do you cover?
All of Berkshire. The main towns have their own pages below, and if yours isn't listed we still cover it: send your postcode and we'll confirm.
How much does balcony or terrace waterproofing cost in Berkshire?
£2,100–£3,600 for a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold, at South East guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Which postcode areas do you cover in Berkshire?
All of Berkshire, including the GU, RG, SL postcode areas. Send your full postcode and we'll confirm.
Can I put decking straight onto my flat roof?
Not directly onto the membrane. Decking needs a supporting system that spreads the load and lets water drain, and the roof must be checked for the extra weight.
Can you waterproof a balcony without lifting the tiles?
Sometimes a liquid system can go over a sound, well-bonded surface, but if water is already getting under the tiles they usually have to come up.
Why is water coming through the ceiling below my balcony?
The usual causes are a failed door threshold, a blocked or poorly sealed outlet, or a fixing through the membrane. A survey, sometimes lifting paving, finds the source.
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