- Guide price
- £1,750–£3,000
- Survey
- Free for new and replacement roofs
- Quote
- Fixed, in writing
- Coverage
- England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Cardiff at a glance
- Largest towns
- Cardiff, Whitchurch
- Postcode areas
- CF
- Building control
- Cardiff Council
- Neighbouring areas
- Vale of Glamorgan · Caerphilly · Newport · Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Guide price region
- Wales (−8% on West Midlands rates)
How much does balcony or terrace waterproofing cost in Cardiff?
Guide prices including VAT at Wales 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 | £1,750–£3,000 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,450–£2,600 |
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £2,750–£4,950 |
Which flat roofs are common in Cardiff?
Flat roofs in Cardiff sit on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers, newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced and shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats. Wales averages roughly 1,460 mm of rain a year, among the wettest in Britain, so we design for steady run-off: proper falls, clear outlets and upstands well above the finished roof. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.
Building regulations in Wales
Welsh guidance is that most re-roofing needs building control approval, so it's worth checking whenever more than a quarter of a roof is replaced or repaired. Renovated roofs are upgraded to around 0.16 W/m²K where feasible, and new extension roofs are built to 0.13 W/m²K under the Welsh Approved Document L. In Cardiff the application goes to Cardiff Council. 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 Cardiff do we cover?
Balconies and roof terraces in Cardiff: questions
Which towns in Cardiff do you cover?
All of Cardiff. 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 Cardiff?
£1,750–£3,000 for a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold, at Wales guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Which postcode areas do you cover in Cardiff?
All of Cardiff, including the CF postcode areas. Send your full postcode and we'll confirm.
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.
Do you install balustrades?
Our work is the waterproofing and drainage. We detail the membrane around balustrade fixings so they stay watertight, and we can advise on where posts should be fixed.
What is an inverted roof terrace?
It is a terrace where the insulation sits above the waterproofing, held down by paving or ballast. The membrane stays protected and at a steadier temperature.
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