Manchester at a glance
- Postcode districts
- M1, M2, M3, M4, M8, M9, M11, M12 and 12 more
- Population
- about 568,996 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Manchester City Council
- Building approval
- Manchester City Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Guide price region
- North West (−5% on West Midlands rates)
Why upgrade to a warm roof in Manchester?
Converting a garage, loft space or outbuilding to a room in Manchester changes what the roof needs to do. Once the space is heated, the roof is expected to perform to a higher standard, and a warm build-up is usually the simplest way to get there.
In a city like Manchester, flat roofs are commonly found on 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches or bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers. The North West is one of England's wetter regions, averaging roughly 1,290 mm of rain a year, so falls, outlets and well-detailed upstands matter more than the membrane colour.
How much does a warm roof upgrade cost in Manchester?
For Manchester we use North West rates: £2,650–£4,650 is the guide for a 20 m² extension roof in EPDM with a new deck and insulation, VAT included. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,650–£4,650 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM with sedum green roof | £4,200–£7,700 |
Do I have to insulate my flat roof when I replace it?
Usually, yes, if the roof is over a heated room and you are replacing more than half of its covering. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, that counts as renovating a thermal element, so the roof should be upgraded to the renovation standard where that is technically, functionally and economically feasible.
The rules don't usually apply to patch repairs, or to an unheated, detached garage. The target U-value depends on where you live:
| Nation | Roof renovation target |
|---|---|
| England | 0.16 W/m²K (homes), 0.18 (non-domestic) |
| Wales | 0.16 W/m²K |
| Scotland | Section 6 framework, with a domestic benchmark of 0.12 W/m²K pursued as far as reasonably practicable |
| Northern Ireland | 0.18 W/m²K |
A new extension roof has a tighter target than a renovation: 0.15 in England and 0.13 in Wales. The economic test in England's guidance is a simple payback within 15 years. We handle building control or building standards where it is needed. The building regulations page sets out the approval routes in each nation.
What's included?
- Upstands, trims and kerbs reset to the new roof level
- Vapour control layer on the warm side of the insulation
- Building control or building standards handled where needed
- Rigid insulation boards sized to the U-value target
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?
Warm roof insulation upgrades in Manchester: questions
Do you cover Manchester?
Yes. Manchester is part of our Greater Manchester coverage, including postcode districts M1, M2, M3, M4, M8, M9 and 14 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 Manchester?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Manchester 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 warm roof upgrade cost in Manchester?
£2,650–£4,650 for a 20 m² extension roof in EPDM with a new deck and insulation, at North West guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Does a warm roof stop condensation?
It greatly reduces the risk by keeping the deck warm and placing a vapour control layer on the warm side. Good ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms below still helps.
Can you add insulation over my existing roof without stripping it?
Sometimes, if the existing covering and deck are dry and sound. We will check at the survey and explain the risks, and our overlay or strip guide covers this choice.