Exeter at a glance
- Postcode districts
- EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4
- Population
- about 130,709 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Exeter City Council
- Building approval
- Exeter City Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Guide price region
- South West (+3% on West Midlands rates)
What does a balcony or terrace in Exeter need?
Owners of flats in Exeter sometimes find that a neighbour's balcony is leaking into their home. Where a balcony serves one flat but sits over another, the repair needs proper waterproofing and drainage, and a clear written specification helps everyone involved agree the work.
In a large town like Exeter, flat roofs are commonly found on low-rise post-war blocks of flats or 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches. The South West averages roughly 1,260 mm of rain a year and many roofs face wind off the Atlantic, so we specify fixings and edge details for wind uplift as well as drainage.
How much does balcony or terrace waterproofing cost in Exeter?
Guide price in Exeter: £1,950–£3,350 for a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold, including VAT at South West 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 | £1,950–£3,350 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,650–£2,900 |
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £3,100–£5,550 |
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.
What's included?
- Free survey of the deck, falls, outlets and door thresholds
- Sealed details at doors, outlets, walls and balustrade posts
- Lifting and setting aside of existing paving or decking
- Strip-out of the failed membrane and deck repairs
Building regulations in England
Replacing more than half of a flat roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so the roof is insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's technically and economically feasible, and the work is notified to building control: the council or a registered building control approver, unless a registered competent person self-certifies it. A roof on a new extension is built to 0.15 W/m²K. Patch repairs, and most unheated detached garages, don't trigger the upgrade. Structural changes, or a new covering that adds 15% or more to the roof's weight, also need approval. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
Balconies and roof terraces in Exeter: questions
Do you cover Exeter?
Yes. Exeter is part of our Devon coverage, including postcode districts EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4. Surveys and roofs are carried out by vetted roofing teams working under S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.
Who checks building regulations for a flat roof in Exeter?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Exeter City Council building control, or a registered building control approver. We tell you at the survey whether your job needs it and deal with the paperwork as part of the quote.
How much does balcony or terrace waterproofing cost in Exeter?
£1,950–£3,350 for a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold, at South West guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
How long does balcony waterproofing last?
It depends on the system and how well it is protected. As indicative ranges, liquid-applied systems last 10–25+ years by product and mastic asphalt 30–60, with good maintenance.
Is a roof terrace heavier than a normal flat roof?
Yes. Paving, people, planters and furniture all add load, so a structural engineer should confirm the roof can carry it before a terrace is formed.
