Dorchester at a glance
- Postcode districts
- DT1
- Population
- about 16,879 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Dorset Council
- Building approval
- Dorset Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Poole, about 20 miles
- Guide price region
- South West (+3% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose EPDM rubber roofing in Dorchester?
If your Dorchester roof has been patched more than once and the felt is cracking or blistering, a full replacement in EPDM can be better value than another repair. The rubber stays flexible through hot summers and freezing nights, and the replacement is the right point to bring the insulation up to standard.
In a town like Dorchester, flat roofs are commonly found on newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced or shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats. The South West averages roughly 1,260 mm of rain a year and many roofs face wind off the Atlantic, so we specify fixings and edge details for wind uplift as well as drainage.
How much does an EPDM rubber roof cost in Dorchester?
At South West guide rates, a typical 18 m² garage roof in EPDM comes to £1,650–£2,900 including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,650–£2,900 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,900–£5,050 |
| Porch or bay (4 m²), EPDM | £750–£1,300 |
How are the joins, edges and upstands made watertight on an EPDM roof?
They are bonded with contact adhesive and sealed with purpose-made EPDM tapes and pre-formed pieces, because the edges and details are where most rubber roof leaks start.
- Wall upstands: the rubber is turned up the wall, usually to about 150 mm above the finished roof, fully bonded, then finished with a termination bar or a cover flashing chased into the masonry.
- Corners: folded rather than cut where possible, or finished with pre-formed pieces.
- Joins: on roofs wider than one sheet, the laps are cleaned, primed and joined with splice tape, then rolled firmly.
- Pipes and vents: sealed with pre-formed pipe boots rather than relying on mastic.
- Edges and outlets: drip and kerb trims are fixed and the junction with the membrane is sealed with cover tape; outlets are bonded into the membrane at the lowest point.
We also check the falls before laying, because standing water around an outlet shortens the life of any detail. There is more on this in our pages on edges and drainage and rooflight upstands.
What's included?
- Deck check and replacement of soft or rotten boards
- Strip-out of the old covering, with waste taken away
- Written workmanship guarantee, plus manufacturer guarantee registration where available
- New drip and kerb trims, outlets and upstand details
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?
- Weymouth · 7 mi
- Yeovil · 18 mi
- Poole · 20 mi
- Wimborne Minster · 20 mi
- Ferndown · 24 mi
- Bournemouth · 24 mi
EPDM rubber roofing in Dorchester: questions
Do you cover Dorchester?
Yes. Dorchester is part of our Dorset coverage, including postcode districts DT1. 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 Dorchester?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Dorset 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 an EPDM rubber roof cost in Dorchester?
£1,650–£2,900 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in EPDM, at South West guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
How long does it take to fit an EPDM roof?
A single garage typically takes one to two days and an insulated extension roof two to three, weather permitting. Larger roofs, scaffold and complex details add time.
Does an EPDM roof need maintenance?
Very little. Clear leaves from outlets and gutters, look over trims and upstands once or twice a year and after storms, and keep foot traffic to a minimum.