Kensington and Chelsea at a glance
- Postcode districts
- W8, SW5, SW7, W11, SW10, SW3, W10
- Council area
- Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
- Building approval
- Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea building control, or a registered building control approver
- Guide price region
- London (+20% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a liquid-applied roof in Kensington and Chelsea?
For businesses and landlords in Kensington and Chelsea, 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.
Around Kensington and Chelsea, flat roofs are common on mansard and dormer loft conversions and on kitchen extensions and roof terraces behind period houses. 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.
How much does a liquid-applied roof cost in Kensington and Chelsea?
Guide price in Kensington and Chelsea: £2,450–£3,900 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in a liquid-applied system, including VAT at London rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Single garage (18 m²), liquid-applied | £2,450–£3,900 |
| Balcony (12 m²), liquid-applied, scaffold | £2,300–£3,900 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,900–£3,350 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £3,350–£5,850 |
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?
- Survey of the existing roof, including moisture and adhesion checks
- Fleece-reinforced liquid membrane applied to the specified thickness
- Primer matched to the substrate
- Surface cleaning, repairs and removal of loose material
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?
- Hammersmith and Fulham · 1 mi
- Westminster · 2 mi
- Camden · 3 mi
- Wandsworth · 3 mi
- Lambeth · 4 mi
- Islington · 5 mi
Liquid-applied roofing in Kensington and Chelsea: questions
Do you cover Kensington and Chelsea?
Yes. Kensington and Chelsea is part of our London coverage, including postcode districts W8, SW5, SW7, W11, SW10, SW3 and 1 more. 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 Kensington and Chelsea?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea 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 Kensington and Chelsea?
£2,450–£3,900 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in a liquid-applied system, at London guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Can liquid roofing be applied in the rain?
No. The surface must be dry, and most systems need a dry window while they cure. Some fast-curing products shorten that window, but the team will not apply onto a damp roof.
How long does a liquid roof take to cure?
That depends on the product and the weather. Some systems are rain-resistant within an hour or so, others take longer, and full cure can take a day or more in cool weather.