Hitchin at a glance
- Postcode districts
- SG4, SG5, SG6
- Population
- about 35,220 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- North Hertfordshire District Council
- Building approval
- North Hertfordshire District Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Stevenage, about 5 miles
- Guide price region
- East of England (+5% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a liquid-applied roof in Hitchin?
For businesses and landlords in Hitchin, a cold-applied liquid roof means no flame on site and, with some systems, a short cure time. That can make it easier to work around occupied buildings, tenants and opening hours than a system that needs hot works or a long strip-out.
In and around Hitchin, flat roofs are typically found on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers, 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 liquid-applied roof cost in Hitchin?
For Hitchin we use East of England rates: £2,150–£3,400 is the guide for a typical 18 m² garage roof in a liquid-applied system, VAT included. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Single garage (18 m²), liquid-applied | £2,150–£3,400 |
| Balcony (12 m²), liquid-applied, scaffold | £2,000–£3,400 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,700–£2,950 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,950–£5,150 |
When is a liquid roof the best option, and when is it not?
A liquid roof is often the best option for roofs crowded with pipes, vents and upstands, for balconies and walkways, and for overlaying a structurally sound roof that is starting to fail. It is the wrong choice when the deck is rotten, the insulation is wet or the falls are badly wrong.
Advantages: continuous finish with no laps; forms details around pipes and odd shapes easily; cold-applied with no flame; can often go over felt, asphalt or concrete; some systems take foot traffic.
Disadvantages: higher cost per square metre than felt or EPDM; needs dry weather and careful thickness control; only as good as the surface it is bonded to; product quality varies widely across the market.
For a straightforward re-roof on a fresh deck, EPDM or GRP may offer better value. Larger flat areas suit torch-on felt or single-ply. On a sound mastic asphalt roof, a compatible liquid system can sometimes be applied over it. See also our guide to overlay or strip.
What's included?
- Top coat with optional anti-slip finish, and guarantee registration where available
- Surface cleaning, repairs and removal of loose material
- Detailing of upstands, outlets, pipes and corners before the main area
- Fleece-reinforced liquid membrane applied to the specified thickness
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?
- Letchworth Garden City · 3 mi
- Stevenage · 5 mi
- Luton · 7 mi
- Biggleswade · 10 mi
- Harpenden · 10 mi
- Ampthill · 10 mi
Liquid-applied roofing in Hitchin: questions
Do you cover Hitchin?
Yes. Hitchin is part of our Hertfordshire coverage, including postcode districts SG4, SG5, SG6. 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 Hitchin?
Where the work needs approval it goes to North Hertfordshire District 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 liquid-applied roof cost in Hitchin?
£2,150–£3,400 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in a liquid-applied system, at East of England guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Can liquid roofing stop a leak on a flat roof?
It can, if the leak is at a detail or the membrane is worn but the roof beneath is sound. If water has soaked the insulation or deck, coating over it will not cure the problem.
Is liquid roofing the same as a roof paint?
No. A proper liquid-applied membrane is built to a specified thickness and usually reinforced with fleece, while roof paints and simple coatings are much thinner and mainly used to extend the life of an existing covering.