Hatfield at a glance
- Postcode districts
- AL9, AL10
- Population
- about 41,265 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council
- Building approval
- Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- St Albans, about 5 miles
- Guide price region
- East of England (+5% on West Midlands rates)
What does a balcony or terrace in Hatfield need?
Settled, rocking or cracked paving is a common reason to re-waterproof a terrace in Hatfield. Slabs bedded directly on the membrane can damage it over time. Relaying them on adjustable pedestals protects the waterproofing and gives a level surface that drains underneath.
Hatfield's flat roofs are mostly on low-rise post-war blocks of flats, with plenty on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers too. The East of England is the driest part of Britain, with parts of the Anglian region around 630 mm a year, so summer heat and UV, not rainfall, do most of the ageing on a felt roof.
How much does balcony or terrace waterproofing cost in Hatfield?
For Hatfield we use East of England rates: £2,000–£3,400 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 | £2,000–£3,400 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,700–£2,950 |
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £3,150–£5,650 |
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.
What's included?
- Strip-out of the failed membrane and deck repairs
- Free survey of the deck, falls, outlets and door thresholds
- Lifting and setting aside of existing paving or decking
- 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?
- Welwyn Garden City · 3 mi
- St Albans · 5 mi
- Potters Bar · 5 mi
- Hertford · 7 mi
- Harpenden · 7 mi
- Borehamwood · 8 mi
Balconies and roof terraces in Hatfield: questions
Do you cover Hatfield?
Yes. Hatfield is part of our Hertfordshire coverage, including postcode districts AL9, AL10. 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 Hatfield?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Welwyn Hatfield Borough 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 Hatfield?
£2,000–£3,400 for a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold, at East of England guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
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.
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.