Edinburgh at a glance
- Postcode districts
- EH1, EH2, EH3, EH4, EH5, EH6, EH7, EH8 and 9 more
- Population
- about 514,990 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- City of Edinburgh Council
- Building approval
- City of Edinburgh Council building standards
- Guide price region
- Scotland (−5% on West Midlands rates)
What does a dormer roof in Edinburgh need?
A dormer roof that has been patched several times in Edinburgh often has layers of old repairs that hide the real fault. Stripping back to the deck shows what has been going on, and lets the team rebuild the back-edge abutment properly rather than sealing over it again.
Edinburgh's flat roofs are mostly on shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats, with plenty on terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms too. Scotland averages roughly 1,570 mm of rain a year, with the west far wetter than the east, so drainage, falls and wind uplift are part of every specification we write.
How much does a new dormer roof cost in Edinburgh?
For Edinburgh we use Scotland rates: £1,350–£2,500 is the guide for an 8 m² GRP dormer roof including scaffold, VAT included. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Dormer (8 m²), GRP, scaffold | £1,350–£2,500 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,500–£2,650 |
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £2,850–£5,100 |
How long does a dormer roof replacement take?
The roofing itself typically takes one to three days, with scaffold going up before and coming down after. Allow a few extra days overall for the scaffold.
The room under the dormer stays usable, though it will be noisy during the strip-out, and dust can fall through gaps around the ceiling. Moving furniture away from the window helps. Scaffold usually needs space on the drive or garden, and sometimes a pavement licence. GRP has a strong smell while it cures, so keep the dormer windows shut on the day it is laid.
What's included?
- Written workmanship guarantee, with building standards handled where needed
- Free survey of the dormer roof, cheeks and main roof junction
- Scaffold with edge protection, priced in the quote
- New membrane, drip trims and back-edge abutment under the tiles
Building standards in Scotland
In Scotland the building standards technical handbooks (Section 6 for energy) apply, and the council's building standards service decides whether a building warrant is needed. Like-for-like repairs to a roof covering can be exempt; alterations, structural work and new roofs usually need a warrant before work starts. The domestic roof benchmark is 0.12 W/m²K, applied as far as reasonably practicable on an existing roof. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
Dormer roofs in Edinburgh: questions
Do you cover Edinburgh?
Yes. Edinburgh is part of our City of Edinburgh coverage, including postcode districts EH1, EH2, EH3, EH4, EH5, EH6 and 11 more. Surveys and roofs are carried out by vetted roofing teams working under S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.
Who checks building standards for a flat roof in Edinburgh?
Where the work needs approval it goes to City of Edinburgh Council building standards. We tell you at the survey whether your job needs it and deal with the paperwork as part of the quote.
How much does a new dormer roof cost in Edinburgh?
£1,350–£2,500 for an 8 m² GRP dormer roof including scaffold, at Scotland guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
How long does a GRP dormer roof last?
As an indicative range, GRP lasts 20–40 years with good specification and maintenance.
Why does my dormer leak at the back where it meets the roof?
That junction is the most common leak point, usually because the upstand or flashing under the tiles has failed. A proper re-roof rebuilds it.