- Guide price
- £110–£330
- Repair price
- Confirmed once the leak or damage is found
- Condition survey report
- £140–£290
- Coverage
- England, Wales, Scotland, NI
City of Edinburgh at a glance
- Largest towns
- Edinburgh, Queensferry, Colinton
- Postcode areas
- EH
- Building standards
- City of Edinburgh Council
- Neighbouring areas
- Midlothian · West Lothian · Fife · East Lothian
- Guide price region
- Scotland (−5% on West Midlands rates)
How much does a new roof edge or outlet cost in City of Edinburgh?
Guide prices including VAT at Scotland rates. We confirm the price once we've traced the leak or seen the damage.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Outlet or drainage repair | £110–£330 |
| Localised patch repair | £140–£480 |
| Upstand or flashing repair | £240–£620 |
| Emergency temporary weatherproofing visit | £170–£430 |
| Condition survey and leak investigation | £140–£290 |
Which flat roofs are common in City of Edinburgh?
Flat roofs in City of Edinburgh sit on lock-up garage blocks on estates, newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced and terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms. Scotland averages roughly 1,570 mm of rain a year, with the west far wetter than the east, so drainage, falls and wind uplift are part of every specification we write. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.
Building standards in Scotland
In Scotland a building warrant is usually needed for alterations, structural work and new roofs; like-for-like repairs to a covering can be exempt. Section 6 of the technical handbooks sets a domestic roof benchmark of 0.12 W/m²K, applied as far as reasonably practicable on an existing roof. In City of Edinburgh the application goes to City of Edinburgh Council (building standards). More on the rules.
How long do flat roof trims and outlets last?
Properly fixed GRP or aluminium trims and well-installed outlets should last about as long as the waterproofing they are part of. What shortens their life is poor fixing, movement in a rotten deck edge and blockages that are never cleared.
A quick check of outlets and gutters each autumn, and again after storms, prevents most drainage problems. Look for leaves and silt in outlets, gutters pulling away from the fascia, trims that have lifted or split at joints and staining on the wall below the edge. The maintenance guide lists what to check and when. Only check what you can see safely from the ground, a window or a ladder at the edge, and never walk on a roof that isn't designed for it.
Why does water sit on my flat roof?
Water sits on a flat roof because it can't drain off fast enough: the falls are too shallow, part of the roof slopes the wrong way, the deck has sagged between joists, or an outlet is blocked or set too high.
Current guidance on flat roof design (BS 6229) means most roofs need to achieve a finished fall of at least 1:80, and roofs are commonly designed with a steeper fall, such as 1:60, so that building tolerances and deck deflection still leave enough slope. Many older roofs were built with less, or have settled over time.
A small amount of water that clears within a day or two of rain is often tolerable. Deeper ponding that lingers adds weight, holds dirt and debris, can shorten the life of some coverings and turns any small defect into a leak. A patch won't fix it, because the problem is the shape of the roof. The fix is to correct the falls, either with firring pieces under a new deck or with tapered insulation in a warm roof, or to add or lower outlets so water has somewhere to go. Our ponding water guide explains this in more detail.
Which towns in City of Edinburgh do we cover?
Edge trims, outlets and drainage in City of Edinburgh: questions
Which towns in City of Edinburgh do you cover?
All of City of Edinburgh. The main towns have their own pages below, and if yours isn't listed we still cover it: send your postcode and we'll confirm.
How much does a new roof edge or outlet cost in City of Edinburgh?
£110–£330 for an outlet or drainage repair, at Scotland guide rates including VAT. We confirm the price once we've traced the leak or seen the damage.
Which council handles building standards for a flat roof in City of Edinburgh?
It depends on where the roof is: in City of Edinburgh that's City of Edinburgh Council. In Scotland a building warrant is usually needed for alterations, structural work and new roofs; like-for-like repairs to a covering can be exempt. We confirm which applies at the survey.
Is some standing water on a flat roof normal?
A thin film that clears within a day or two of rain is common and usually harmless. Deeper water that lingers for days points to poor falls, a sagging deck or a blocked outlet and should be looked at.
What's the difference between a drip trim and an edge trim?
An edge trim finishes the edge of the roof and holds the waterproofing down. A drip trim has a profile that throws water clear into the gutter. On many roofs a single trim does both jobs.
Why is my fascia rotting under a flat roof?
Usually because water is getting behind a loose or badly lapped trim, or running back under the edge because there is no proper drip. The fascia and deck edge are replaced and new trims are fitted to stop it happening again.
Everything about edge trims, outlets and drainage → · All flat roofing in City of Edinburgh →