Humberstone at a glance
- Postcode districts
- LE5
- Population
- about 18,854 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Leicester City Council
- Building approval
- Leicester City Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Leicester, about 2 miles
- Guide price region
- East Midlands (−2% on West Midlands rates)
What does a balcony or terrace in Humberstone need?
Owners of flats in Humberstone 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 and around Humberstone, flat roofs are typically found on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers, and on newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced. The East Midlands is drier than the west of Britain, so most flat roofs here fail through age, UV and poor detailing at upstands rather than sheer rainfall.
How much does balcony or terrace waterproofing cost in Humberstone?
Guide price in Humberstone: £1,850–£3,200 for a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold, including VAT at East Midlands 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 | £1,850–£3,200 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,550–£2,750 |
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £2,950–£5,300 |
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
- Lifting and setting aside of existing paving or decking
- Written workmanship guarantee, with approvals handled where needed
- New liquid, GRP, single-ply or asphalt waterproofing
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 Humberstone: questions
Do you cover Humberstone?
Yes. Humberstone is part of our Leicestershire coverage, including postcode districts LE5. 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 Humberstone?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Leicester 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 Humberstone?
£1,850–£3,200 for a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold, at East Midlands 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.
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.