Woking at a glance
- Postcode districts
- GU21, GU22
- Population
- about 103,900 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Woking Borough Council
- Building approval
- Woking Borough Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Slough, about 13 miles
- Guide price region
- South East (+10% on West Midlands rates)
What does a balcony or terrace in Woking need?
A roof terrace in Woking may be re-waterproofed when the owners want to change the finish, swapping old tiles for decking or porcelain on pedestals. Lifting the surface exposes the membrane, and replacing it then avoids having to lift the new finish again later.
In and around Woking, flat roofs are typically found on shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats, and on 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches. Much of the South East sits in the drier Thames catchment at roughly 730 mm of rain a year, so the usual failures are at joints, upstands and outlets rather than from sheer volume of rain.
How much does balcony or terrace waterproofing cost in Woking?
At South East guide rates, a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold comes to £2,100–£3,600 including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Balcony (12 m²), liquid-applied, scaffold | £2,100–£3,600 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,750–£3,100 |
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £3,300–£5,900 |
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?
- Written workmanship guarantee, with approvals handled where needed
- Strip-out of the failed membrane and deck repairs
- Lifting and setting aside of existing paving or decking
- Free survey of the deck, falls, outlets and door thresholds
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 Woking: questions
Do you cover Woking?
Yes. Woking is part of our Surrey coverage, including postcode districts GU21, GU22. 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 Woking?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Woking 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 Woking?
£2,100–£3,600 for a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold, at South East guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
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.
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.