Plymouth at a glance
- Postcode districts
- PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4, PL5, PL6, PL7, PL9
- Population
- about 260,203 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Plymouth City Council
- Building approval
- Plymouth 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 Plymouth need?
Door thresholds are a common reason for balcony work in Plymouth. Where a door was fitted with a low step-out and no drainage channel, water driven against the frame finds its way under the sill. Re-waterproofing gives the chance to rebuild that detail properly.
Plymouth's flat roofs are mostly on low-rise post-war blocks of flats, with plenty on lock-up garage blocks on estates too. 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 Plymouth?
For Plymouth we use South West rates: £1,950–£3,350 is the guide for a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold, VAT included. 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 |
How long does it take to waterproof a balcony?
A small balcony is typically waterproofed in two to four working days, plus time for scaffold if it is above ground floor. Liquid and GRP systems need dry weather and cure time between coats, which sets the pace.
The balcony door will be out of use while the membrane is laid and curing, and the room behind may be noisy while old paving or screed is broken out. If the team needs to work through the house, we agree a route and protect floors. Larger terraces with paving or decking take longer, because the finish has to be lifted and reinstated. Resin systems smell while they cure, so nearby windows are best kept closed.
What's included?
- Lifting and setting aside of existing paving or decking
- Free survey of the deck, falls, outlets and door thresholds
- Written workmanship guarantee, with approvals handled where needed
- Sealed details at doors, outlets, walls and balustrade posts
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 Plymouth: questions
Do you cover Plymouth?
Yes. Plymouth is part of our Devon coverage, including postcode districts PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4, PL5, PL6 and 2 more. 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 Plymouth?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Plymouth 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 Plymouth?
£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.
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.