- Guide price
- £3,300–£5,750
- Survey
- Free for new and replacement roofs
- Quote
- Fixed, in writing
- Coverage
- England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Kent at a glance
- Largest towns
- Maidstone, Gillingham, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Folkestone
- Postcode areas
- BR, CT, DA, ME, TN
- Building control
- Maidstone Borough Council, Medway Council, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and 10 other councils
- Neighbouring areas
- Essex · London · East Sussex · Surrey
- Guide price region
- South East (+10% on West Midlands rates)
How much does a rooflight upstand cost in Kent?
Guide prices including VAT at South East rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, insulation + 1 rooflight upstand | £3,300–£5,750 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £3,100–£5,350 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM with sedum green roof | £4,850–£8,900 |
Which flat roofs are common in Kent?
Flat roofs in Kent sit on terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms, shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats and 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions. Much of the South East sits in the drier Thames catchment at roughly 730 mm of rain a year, so the usual failures are at joints, upstands and outlets rather than from sheer volume of rain. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.
Building regulations in England
Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. Renovated roofs over heated rooms are insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's feasible, and new extension roofs are built to 0.15 W/m²K. In Kent the application goes to Maidstone Borough Council, Medway Council, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and 10 other councils. More on the rules.
How long does a rooflight upstand last?
A properly built, insulated upstand with waterproofing dressed to the maker's details should last as long as the roof covering around it. The rooflight's own seals and opening parts may need attention sooner.
Upstands fail early when they are too low, poorly insulated or built on a deck that moves. Keeping the area around the rooflight clear of leaves and debris, checking the corners after storms from a safe position and cleaning the glazing gently all help. Never lean on or stand on a rooflight: most are fragile, and the roof around them should be treated as fragile too. The maintenance guide covers routine checks.
Why is my flat rooflight leaking, and should it be repaired or replaced?
Most rooflight leaks come from the upstand detail rather than the glass: the membrane has split or pulled away at a corner, the upstand is too low, or the flashing at the top has failed. Repair the detail if the unit and the roof around it are sound.
Drips on the inside of the upstand in cold weather may be condensation rather than a leak, especially on older, uninsulated kerbs or single-glazed domes. Warm, moist air from a kitchen or bathroom meets the cold surface and condenses.
If the roof covering is near the end of its life, it is usually better to rebuild the upstand properly as part of a replacement, ideally with a new insulated kerb, rather than patching the old detail. Our repair or replace guide and flat roof repairs page cover the options.
Which towns in Kent do we cover?
- Maidstone
- Gillingham
- Royal Tunbridge Wells
- Folkestone
- Margate
- Ashford
- Canterbury
- Sittingbourne
- Gravesend
- Dartford
- Ramsgate
- Dover
- Tonbridge
- Strood
- Whitstable
- Deal
- Sevenoaks
- Herne Bay
- Broadstairs
- Faversham
- Swanley
- Longfield
- Swanscombe
Rooflights in flat roofs in Kent: questions
Which towns in Kent do you cover?
All of Kent. 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 rooflight upstand cost in Kent?
£3,300–£5,750 for a 20 m² insulated EPDM extension roof with one rooflight upstand, at South East guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Which council handles building control for a flat roof in Kent?
It depends on where the roof is: in Kent that's Maidstone Borough Council, Medway Council, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and 10 other councils. Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. We confirm which applies at the survey.
Can I walk on a flat rooflight?
No, unless it is a unit specifically designed and rated for foot traffic. Treat standard rooflights and the roof around them as fragile.
Can a rooflight be added to an existing flat roof?
Yes, if the structure allows it. The opening is cut, the joists are trimmed and an upstand is built and waterproofed into the existing covering. On an older roof, it is often better to do it as part of a replacement.
Do you supply rooflights and lanterns?
We fit rooflights and lanterns as part of a flat roof job, but we don't sell them as a separate product. If you've chosen a unit, we'll build the upstand to suit it.
Everything about rooflights in flat roofs → · All flat roofing in Kent →