Plymouth at a glance
- Postcode districts
- PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4, PL5, PL6, PL7, PL9
- Population
- about 260,203 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Plymouth City Council
- Building approval
- Plymouth City Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Guide price region
- South West (+3% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose torch-on felt roofing in Plymouth?
On larger roofs in Plymouth with poor falls, torch-on felt pairs well with tapered insulation, which builds the fall into the insulation boards. That deals with ponding properly while adding insulation, rather than patching the low spots and waiting for the next leak.
Plymouth's flat roofs are mostly on lock-up garage blocks on estates, with plenty on 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions too. The South West averages roughly 1,260 mm of rain a year and many roofs face wind off the Atlantic, so we specify fixings and edge details for wind uplift as well as drainage.
How much does a torch-on felt roof cost in Plymouth?
Guide price in Plymouth: £1,550–£2,700 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in torch-on felt, including VAT at South West rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Single garage (18 m²), torch-on felt | £1,550–£2,700 |
| Extension (20 m²), felt, new deck + insulation | £2,800–£4,850 |
| Block of flats (150 m²), felt + insulation + scaffold | £16,000–£28,000 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,650–£2,900 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,900–£5,050 |
Does replacing a felt roof mean upgrading the insulation?
Usually, yes, when the roof is over a heated space and more than half of it is being re-covered. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland that is renovation of a thermal element, which should be brought towards the renovation U-value where feasible; a Scottish project goes through the council's building standards service, which confirms whether a warrant applies.
A felt replacement is a good point to switch to a warm roof, with insulation laid above the deck under the new membranes. On larger roofs, tapered insulation can also correct poor falls that have caused ponding, which a patch repair cannot fix. Raising the roof level affects upstands and door thresholds, so we check heights at survey. Any approval is arranged by us as part of the job, and the building regulations page sets out the rules by nation.
What's included?
- Vapour control layer and warm-roof insulation where needed
- Mineral-finished cap sheet, upstands, outlets and edge trims
- Deck inspection with replacement of damaged boards
- Two- or three-layer reinforced bitumen membrane with staggered laps
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?
Torch-on felt roofing in Plymouth: questions
Do you cover Plymouth?
Yes. Plymouth is part of our Devon coverage, including postcode districts PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4, PL5, PL6 and 2 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 Plymouth?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Plymouth City Council 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 torch-on felt roof cost in Plymouth?
£1,550–£2,700 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in torch-on felt, at South West guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Is torch-on suitable for a block of flats?
Yes, layered bitumen systems are widely used on blocks of flats and commercial buildings. Larger roofs often use three layers and insulation, with hot works planned around residents.
Can torch-on felt be laid in wet weather?
Not in rain or on a wet deck, because moisture trapped under the membrane causes blisters. Light cold weather is usually workable, but we will postpone rather than lay on a damp surface.