- Guide price
- £1,700–£3,200
- Survey
- Free for new and replacement roofs
- Quote
- Fixed, in writing
- Coverage
- England, Wales, Scotland, NI
London at a glance
- Largest towns
- Westminster, Camden, Islington, Haringey
- Postcode areas
- BR, CR, DA, E, EC, EN, HA, IG, KT, N
- Building control
- City of Westminster, London Borough of Camden, London Borough of Islington and 29 other councils
- Neighbouring areas
- Surrey · Hertfordshire · Buckinghamshire · Berkshire
- Guide price region
- London (+20% on West Midlands rates)
How much does a new dormer roof cost in London?
Guide prices including VAT at London rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Dormer (8 m²), GRP, scaffold | £1,700–£3,200 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,900–£3,350 |
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £3,600–£6,450 |
Which flat roofs are common in London?
Flat roofs in London sit on kitchen extensions and roof terraces behind period houses, mansion blocks and purpose-built flats with large flat roofs and mansard and dormer loft conversions. The Thames basin is one of the drier parts of Britain at roughly 730 mm of rain a year, but summer heat is the bigger test here: dark membranes on south-facing roofs swing a long way in temperature. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.
Building regulations in England
Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. Renovated roofs over heated rooms are insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's feasible, and new extension roofs are built to 0.15 W/m²K. In London the application goes to City of Westminster, London Borough of Camden, London Borough of Islington and 29 other councils. More on the rules.
Why is scaffold and tile detailing so important on a dormer?
Because a dormer roof is high, small and surrounded by a pitched tiled roof, most failures happen at the edges rather than in the middle. Safe access is what allows those edges to be done properly.
Ladders alone do not give a safe working platform at that height, and every roof is treated as fragile until a competent person confirms otherwise. Scaffold with edge protection lets the team work along the front and sides of the dormer, and reach the junction with the main roof.
The back of the dormer is where most leaks start. The new membrane has to turn up under the tiles or slates, with a flashing that sheds water over it. Where the old detail used lead, we reinstate or replace it. Small roofs also leave little room for error at the drip edge: the front trim must throw water clear of the window frame and fascia, and any gutter has to be big enough for the area it drains. Dormer cheeks with tile hanging or cladding are checked for gaps that let water behind.
If you are also planning insulation upgrades or work on the main roof, tell us at survey so the scaffold can be shared.
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.
Which towns in London do we cover?
- Westminster
- Camden
- Islington
- Haringey
- Hounslow
- Barnet
- Bexley
- Lambeth
- Croydon
- Havering
- Lewisham
- Redbridge
- Southwark
- Bromley
- Ealing
- Hammersmith and Fulham
- Harrow
- Kensington and Chelsea
- Barking and Dagenham
- Brent
- Greenwich
- Hillingdon
- Kingston upon Thames
- Richmond upon Thames
- Sutton
- Waltham Forest
- Enfield
- Hackney
- Newham
- Tower Hamlets
- Merton
- Wandsworth
Dormer roofs in London: questions
Which towns in London do you cover?
All of London. The main towns have their own pages below, and if yours isn't listed we still cover it: send your postcode and we'll confirm.
How much does a new dormer roof cost in London?
£1,700–£3,200 for an 8 m² GRP dormer roof including scaffold, at London guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Which council handles building control for a flat roof in London?
It depends on where the roof is: in London that's City of Westminster, London Borough of Camden, London Borough of Islington and 29 other councils. Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. We confirm which applies at the survey.
Does the room below need emptying?
No, but moving furniture away from the window and covering the floor is sensible. The room stays usable throughout.
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.
Can a dormer roof be replaced without scaffold?
Rarely. A tower or full scaffold is usually needed to give a safe working platform and edge protection at that height.
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