Market Harborough at a glance
- Postcode districts
- LE16
- Population
- about 24,779 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Harborough District Council
- Building approval
- Harborough District Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Leicester, about 14 miles
- Guide price region
- East Midlands (−2% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose torch-on felt roofing in Market Harborough?
Where a flat roof in Market Harborough already has a felt covering and the building owner wants like-for-like, torch-on is the natural replacement. The old roof is stripped, the deck checked and the new layers laid, often with warm-roof insulation added when the space below is heated.
Around Market Harborough, flat roofs are common on terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms and on newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced. 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.
How much does a torch-on felt roof cost in Market Harborough?
For Market Harborough we use East Midlands rates: £1,500–£2,550 is the guide for a typical 18 m² garage roof in torch-on felt, VAT included. 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 | £1,500–£2,550 |
| Extension (20 m²), felt, new deck + insulation | £2,650–£4,600 |
| Block of flats (150 m²), felt + insulation + scaffold | £15,250–£26,650 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,550–£2,750 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,750–£4,800 |
Is torch-on roofing safe, and what is the difference between two- and three-layer systems?
Yes, torch-on is safe when hot works are properly controlled, because most roof fires linked to torching start at hidden timber or debris near edges and upstands, not on the open roof. Our teams follow a hot-works routine on every job:
- check eaves, fascias, soffits and wall cavities for timber, nests and debris before lighting a torch;
- use a cold-applied or self-adhesive membrane, rather than a flame, at edges, against combustible materials and in tight details;
- keep fire extinguishers on the roof and the gas bottles secured and away from the work;
- stop torching well before the team leaves, then carry out a fire watch so smouldering is spotted while people are still on site.
As for layers, a two-layer system (underlay plus cap sheet) is common on domestic roofs such as garages and extensions. A three-layer system adds an intermediate sheet, giving more thickness and redundancy, and is often specified on larger, commercial and multi-occupied roofs. The right choice depends on the size and use of the roof and the system's requirements, so we set it out in the quote.
Near a boundary, the external fire performance of the tested build-up, such as a BROOF(t4) classification, can also matter, and we check it where it applies.
What's included?
- Strip-off of the existing roof covering and removal of waste
- Deck inspection with replacement of damaged boards
- Vapour control layer and warm-roof insulation where needed
- Hot-works checks and fire watch on every torch-on job
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 Market Harborough: questions
Do you cover Market Harborough?
Yes. Market Harborough is part of our Leicestershire coverage, including postcode districts LE16. 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 Market Harborough?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Harborough District 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 Market Harborough?
£1,500–£2,550 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in torch-on felt, at East Midlands guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
How long does it take to lay a torch-on felt roof?
A garage roof typically takes one to two days and an insulated extension two to three. Larger roofs and blocks are phased over longer, with each area made weathertight before the team leaves.
Can I paint or coat an old felt roof?
Reflective or liquid coatings can extend the life of a sound felt roof, but they will not fix wet insulation, a rotten deck or poor falls. A survey shows whether coating or replacement makes more sense.