- Guide price
- £2,950–£5,150
- Survey
- Free for new and replacement roofs
- Quote
- Fixed, in writing
- Coverage
- England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Leicestershire at a glance
- Largest towns
- Leicester, Loughborough, Hinckley, Coalville
- Postcode areas
- LE
- Building control
- Leicester City Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and 5 other councils
- Neighbouring areas
- Warwickshire · Northamptonshire · Nottinghamshire · West Midlands
- Guide price region
- East Midlands (−2% on West Midlands rates)
How much does a rooflight upstand cost in Leicestershire?
Guide prices including VAT at East Midlands 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 | £2,950–£5,150 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,750–£4,800 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM with sedum green roof | £4,300–£7,900 |
Which flat roofs are common in Leicestershire?
Flat roofs in Leicestershire sit on low-rise post-war blocks of flats, 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions and terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms. The East Midlands is drier than the west of Britain, so most flat roofs here fail through age, UV and poor detailing at upstands rather than sheer rainfall. 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 Leicestershire the application goes to Leicester City Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and 5 other councils. More on the rules.
Do rooflights in flat roofs need building regulations approval?
Usually, yes, for a new opening, because cutting through the roof and trimming joists is a structural alteration. Approval may also be needed because the roof itself is being re-covered.
New rooflights need to meet the energy efficiency standards for glazing, so that the unit doesn't become a weak point in an insulated roof. Many rooflights have a laminated inner pane, so that if the glass breaks it stays in place rather than falling into the room, which is worth asking for over kitchens, living spaces and stairs. Close to a boundary, the fire performance of the roof, including any rooflights, can matter under the fire safety rules.
Whether you need planning permission depends on the property and the unit. A raised lantern changes the roofline more than a flat rooflight, and listed buildings and conservation areas have stricter rules, which also differ between the four nations. We handle building control or building standards where it is needed. The building regulations page and the planning guide explain more.
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.
Which towns in Leicestershire do we cover?
- Leicester
- Loughborough
- Hinckley
- Coalville
- Wigston
- Melton Mowbray
- Market Harborough
- Oadby
- Earl Shilton
- Humberstone
- Mountsorrel
- Glen Parva
Rooflights in flat roofs in Leicestershire: questions
Which towns in Leicestershire do you cover?
All of Leicestershire. 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 Leicestershire?
£2,950–£5,150 for a 20 m² insulated EPDM extension roof with one rooflight upstand, at East Midlands 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 Leicestershire?
It depends on where the roof is: in Leicestershire that's Leicester City Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and 5 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 a lantern go on a warm roof?
Yes. The upstand is built and insulated to the full height of the warm roof build-up, so the lantern sits at the right level above the finished surface.
How high should a flat rooflight upstand be?
Usually at least 150 mm from the finished roof surface to the top of the waterproofing, so the joint stays above standing water. Some rooflight makers specify more.
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 Leicestershire →