- Guide price
- £3,150–£5,500
- Survey
- Free for new and replacement roofs
- Quote
- Fixed, in writing
- Coverage
- England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Suffolk at a glance
- Largest towns
- Ipswich, Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill
- Postcode areas
- CB, CO, IP, NR
- Building control
- Ipswich Borough Council, East Suffolk Council, West Suffolk Council and 2 other councils
- Neighbouring areas
- Norfolk · Essex · Cambridgeshire · Hertfordshire
- Guide price region
- East of England (+5% on West Midlands rates)
How much does a rooflight upstand cost in Suffolk?
Guide prices including VAT at East of England 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 | £3,150–£5,500 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,950–£5,150 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM with sedum green roof | £4,650–£8,500 |
Which flat roofs are common in Suffolk?
Flat roofs in Suffolk sit on 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches, newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced and bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers. 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. 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 Suffolk the application goes to Ipswich Borough Council, East Suffolk Council, West Suffolk Council and 2 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.
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 Suffolk do we cover?
Rooflights in flat roofs in Suffolk: questions
Which towns in Suffolk do you cover?
All of Suffolk. 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 Suffolk?
£3,150–£5,500 for a 20 m² insulated EPDM extension roof with one rooflight upstand, at East of England guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Which postcode areas do you cover in Suffolk?
All of Suffolk, including the CB, CO, IP, NR postcode areas. Send your full postcode and we'll confirm.
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.
Why does my rooflight drip in winter?
If it only drips in cold weather and not when it rains, it is probably condensation on a cold, poorly insulated upstand or older glazing. Better ventilation helps, and an insulated kerb and modern unit usually fix it.
Will an opening rooflight let rain in if I leave it open?
Many electric opening rooflights include a rain sensor that closes them automatically when it starts raining. With manual units, it's up to you to close them.
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