Harlow at a glance
- Postcode districts
- CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20
- Population
- about 93,300 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Harlow Council
- Building approval
- Harlow Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Chelmsford, about 16 miles
- Guide price region
- East of England (+5% on West Midlands rates)
What makes a good extension roof in Harlow?
Condensation drives some replacements in Harlow. Older extension roofs were often built cold, with insulation between the joists and no reliable vapour control. Warm air from the kitchen reaches the cold deck, moisture builds up and the timber suffers. A warm roof deals with the cause, not just the stain.
Around Harlow, flat roofs are common on terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms and on shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats. The East of England is the driest part of Britain, with parts of the Anglian region around 630 mm a year, so summer heat and UV, not rainfall, do most of the ageing on a felt roof.
How much does a new extension roof cost in Harlow?
For Harlow we use East of England rates: £2,950–£5,150 is the guide for a 20 m² extension roof in EPDM with a new deck and insulation, VAT included. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,950–£5,150 |
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £3,150–£5,650 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, insulation + 1 rooflight upstand | £3,150–£5,500 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,700–£2,950 |
How long will my kitchen be disrupted by a new roof?
Most single-storey extension roofs are replaced in two to four working days, depending on size, rooflights and weather. The kitchen usually stays in use throughout.
Expect noise during the strip-out, and occasional dust through gaps around old rooflights, so it helps to cover worktops and move anything fragile off high shelves. We strip only what we can make weathertight by the end of each day. If a rooflight or lantern is being lifted and refitted, there may be a temporary cover over the opening for a short time. Resin systems smell while they cure, so keep the windows below the roof closed on that day.
What's included?
- New abutment upstand and flashing, plus rebuilt rooflight kerbs
- Staged strip-out so the room stays weathertight
- New deck, vapour control layer and warm-roof insulation
- Building control handled where needed, and a written workmanship guarantee
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?
- Hoddesdon · 5 mi
- Ware · 6 mi
- Bishop's Stortford · 7 mi
- Waltham Abbey · 8 mi
- Cheshunt · 8 mi
- Hertford · 8 mi
Extension and kitchen roofs in Harlow: questions
Do you cover Harlow?
Yes. Harlow is part of our Essex coverage, including postcode districts CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20. 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 Harlow?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Harlow 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 a new extension roof cost in Harlow?
£2,950–£5,150 for a 20 m² extension roof in EPDM with a new deck and insulation, at East of England guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Is EPDM or GRP better for a kitchen extension?
Neither is better in every case. EPDM suits simple rectangular roofs with few details, while GRP is often chosen where there are rooflights, corners or occasional foot traffic.
How do I know my extension roof needs replacing rather than repairing?
Repeated leaks, a soft deck, wet insulation or widespread cracking point to replacement. A single defect on a dry, sound roof can usually be repaired.