Southend-on-Sea at a glance
- Postcode districts
- SS0, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS9
- Population
- about 295,310 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Southend-on-Sea City Council
- Building approval
- Southend-on-Sea City Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Guide price region
- East of England (+5% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a green roof in Southend-on-Sea?
In a place like Southend-on-Sea, many people look out over a flat extension or garage roof from upstairs. Grey felt or rubber isn't much of a view, and a sedum roof turns it into something green that changes colour through the seasons and flowers in summer.
In a city like Southend-on-Sea, flat roofs are commonly found on 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches or bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers. 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 green roof cost in Southend-on-Sea?
At East of England guide rates, a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof comes to £4,650–£8,500 including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM with sedum green roof | £4,650–£8,500 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,950–£5,150 |
Can a green roof go on my existing flat roof?
Only if the existing waterproofing is sound, root-resistant or protected by a root barrier, and has plenty of life left. In most cases it makes more sense to lay a green roof as part of a replacement.
Once the sedum, substrate and drainage layers are down, the membrane underneath is hard to inspect and expensive to repair, because the green layers have to be lifted to get to it. Putting a green roof on an ageing covering risks paying for the greenery twice. Our repair or replace guide helps you judge whether your current roof is a sensible base.
As for planning, re-covering a house roof normally needs no application if its appearance doesn't change materially. Because a green roof does change how a roof looks, check with your council, especially for listed buildings, conservation areas and roofs that are easily seen. The planning guide has more.
What's included?
- Root-resistant membrane or separate root barrier
- Gravel strips kept clear around edges and outlets
- Drainage layer, filter and lightweight growing medium
- Warm or inverted build-up to suit the roof
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?
Green and sedum roofs in Southend-on-Sea: questions
Do you cover Southend-on-Sea?
Yes. Southend-on-Sea is part of our Essex coverage, including postcode districts SS0, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS9. 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 Southend-on-Sea?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Southend-on-Sea City 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 green roof cost in Southend-on-Sea?
£4,650–£8,500 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at East of England guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Do I need to water a sedum roof?
Usually only in the first season, during long dry spells, while the blankets establish. After that, sedum copes with dry weather well.
Can I walk on a green roof?
Only for maintenance, and only where it is safe. Most extensive green roofs on homes aren't designed as roof terraces, and a terrace generally needs planning permission and edge protection.