Question 1

How much does a new pitched roof cost in London?

Accepted Answer

A full strip and re-roof on a typical 3-bed Victorian terrace in South London runs £9,500–£14,500 plus VAT, including scaffold, breathable membrane, treated battens, new ridge, lead valleys and waste removal. Slate or hand-made clay tile pushes the upper end; interlocking concrete sits at the lower. Every quote is fixed after a roof-level survey.

Question 2

What does a flat roof replacement cost?

Accepted Answer

For a typical rear extension (15–25 m²): GRP fibreglass £2,200–£3,400, single-ply EPDM £1,800–£2,800, three-layer torch-on felt £1,600–£2,400. Insulation upgrades to current Part L add £400–£900. All-in, fixed price, with a 15–20 year warranty depending on system.

Question 3

Do you charge for the initial survey?

Accepted Answer

No — first survey, photo report and written fixed quote are free across our core London boroughs (Croydon, Bromley, Sutton, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Kingston) and East/Central commercial postcodes. We usually attend within 48 hours of enquiry.

Question 4

What's your deposit and payment structure?

Accepted Answer

For jobs over £3,000: 25% on scaffold-up, 50% on watertight stage, 25% on snag sign-off. Small repairs and half-day jobs are paid on completion by bank transfer or card. We never ask for money before scaffold goes up.

Question 5

Are your prices VAT inclusive?

Accepted Answer

Quotes are shown ex-VAT with the VAT line itemised. We are VAT-registered (full number on every invoice). Re-roofs on properties that have been empty 2+ years can qualify for the 5% reduced rate — we'll flag it where it applies.

Question 6

How long does a re-roof take?

Accepted Answer

A standard 3-bed terraced roof in London: 5–7 working days from scaffold-up to scaffold-down, weather permitting. Semi-detached or larger 4-bed: 7–10 days. We commit to start and finish dates in writing and stage scaffold to minimise neighbour disruption.

Question 7

How soon can you start?

Accepted Answer

Emergency leaks and storm damage: same day or next morning across South London. Small jobs (slipped tile, ridge re-bed, lead repair): typically within 5–10 days. Full re-roofs: currently booking 4–6 weeks ahead. Q2 2026 commercial flat-roof slots are filling now.

Question 8

What happens during the survey?

Accepted Answer

A 45–60 minute visit. We ladder or drone-inspect the roof, photograph every elevation, check loft for daylight, damp and ventilation, and measure for scaffold. You receive a written condition report and fixed quote within two working days — no upsell, no hidden allowances.

Question 9

Do you work in winter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tile, slate and leadwork carry on through the wet months — we just sheet over each evening. Hot-melt and torch-on felt is restricted below 5°C; cold-applied EPDM and single-ply continue year-round. Snow and high-wind days pause work for safety.

Question 10

Slate or tile — which is right for my London home?

Accepted Answer

Welsh or Spanish natural slate suits Victorian and Edwardian terraces (Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Clapham) where conservation officers expect it. Hand-made clay plain tiles fit interwar semis in Bromley, Sutton and Kingston. Interlocking concrete (Marley Modern, Redland Cambrian) is the value option for 1960s+ stock.

Question 11

What underlay membrane do you use?

Accepted Answer

Tyvek Supro or Klober Permo Air as standard — both fully breathable, BBA-certified, and compliant with BS 5534. We do not use bitumen 1F felt on re-roofs; it traps condensation and shortens roof life by 10+ years.

Question 12

Why code-4 lead instead of flashband?

Accepted Answer

Code-4 milled lead lasts 60+ years, moulds to brickwork, and is what every London building control officer expects on chimneys, valleys and abutments. Self-adhesive flashband fails inside 5 years and voids most roofing warranties. We never substitute.

Question 13

Can I add insulation during a re-roof?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and it's the cheapest time to do it. Warm-roof build-up with 100mm PIR between/over rafters meets current Part L (0.16 W/m²K). Adds £45–£70/m² but cuts heating bills by ~25% and is often grant-eligible under GBIS for older London stock.

Question 14

Which flat roof system lasts longest?

Accepted Answer

Single-ply EPDM (Firestone RubberCover) — typically 30–50 years, no seams on rear extensions under 6m. GRP fibreglass: 25–30 years, hard-wearing for balconies. Three-layer torch-on felt: 15–20 years, lowest cost. Hot-melt liquid: 30+ years for commercial podium decks.

Question 15

Do you do balcony and terrace waterproofing?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Kemperol cold liquid system for trafficked balconies and roof terraces, including detailing around upstands, drains and door thresholds. 20-year manufacturer-backed warranty. Common on E1, EC1 and Wandsworth riverside conversions.

Question 16

Can you do ornamental leadwork?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bay-window roofs in code-4 or code-5 lead, oak-rolled, with full hand-dressed bossing — standard on Victorian and Edwardian properties across Wimbledon, Dulwich and Crystal Palace. We're members of the Lead Sheet Training Academy.

Question 17

Do you offer 24/7 emergency call-outs?

Accepted Answer

Yes — South London (SW, SE, CR, BR, SM, KT, TW) within 90 minutes during working hours, before 10pm at weekends. Tarp-and-batten temporary cover is £180 + VAT, deducted from the permanent repair if you book within 14 days.

Question 18

My ceiling is staining — is it definitely the roof?

Accepted Answer

Not always. Roughly 40% of suspected roof leaks in London are actually condensation, plumbing waste pipes, or chimney flashing. We trace before we quote — no point re-roofing if it's a 15-minute soil-stack collar fix.

Question 19

Storm damage — will you deal with my insurer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide insurer-format reports with annotated photos, BS-coded recommendations and itemised costs. Used successfully with Aviva, AXA, LV=, Direct Line, Hiscox and most loss adjusters. No claim-handling fee — just our standard quote.

Question 20

Are you fully insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes — £5m public liability, £10m employer's liability, £2m professional indemnity. Certificates issued before scaffold-up on every job. All operatives CSCS-carded; supervisors hold SSSTS or SMSTS.

Question 21

Do I need building control for a re-roof?

Accepted Answer

If you replace more than 25% of the roof covering, yes — Approved Document L1B applies and the upgrade must meet current U-values. We notify your local authority (or use our Competent Person Scheme registration) and issue the completion certificate.

Question 22

What about conservation areas and listed buildings?

Accepted Answer

We handle the planning/Listed Building Consent process for clients in Wimbledon Village, Dulwich Village, Bedford Park and similar. Like-for-like natural slate or clay tile usually proceeds under permitted development; material changes need consent (8–12 weeks).

Question 23

Are you on any trade registers?

Accepted Answer

NFRC Competent Roofer member, CHAS Accredited, Constructionline Gold, TrustMark Government Endorsed. Member of the Lead Sheet Training Academy for heritage work.

Question 24

Which London areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

Core service area: South London (Croydon CR0–CR9, Bromley BR1–BR8, Sutton SM1–SM7, Wandsworth SW17–SW19, Wimbledon SW19–SW20), South West (Kingston KT1–KT3, Surbiton, New Malden), and East/Central commercial postcodes (Shoreditch E1–E2, EC1–EC2). North London by arrangement on contracts over £15k.

Question 25

How do you handle parking and permits?

Accepted Answer

We arrange suspended bay or skip permits with the council 7–10 days ahead, pay the fees and itemise them in your quote. CPZ paid parking is included for our vans across all zones. No surprise charges on your final invoice.

Question 26

Will you tell my neighbours about the scaffold?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we drop a printed letter to attached/adjoining neighbours 5 days before scaffold-up explaining dates, contact number and access. Required for party-wall scaffolding under the Party Wall Act 1996 where it oversails their land.

Question 27

Do you do commercial flat-roof contracts?

Accepted Answer

Yes — schools, offices, retail and warehouse units across East and Central London. Single-ply, hot-melt, green roofs and PV-ready substrates. Out-of-hours and weekend works for occupied buildings; full RAMS, asbestos register checks, and CDM principal contractor cover.

Question 28

Can you work around solar panels?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we lift, re-roof underneath and reinstate. We coordinate with the original PV installer for the disconnect/reconnect (or we use our MCS-approved partner). Allow 1 extra day per 12-panel array. Cabling and isolators left exactly as found.

Question 29

What warranty do you offer?

Accepted Answer

20 years on workmanship for full re-roofs (NFRC-backed, transferable on sale). 15 years on flat-roof systems (manufacturer + workmanship). 10 years on chimney rebuilds and leadwork. 12 months on small repairs. Written on every job, no small print exclusions for storm damage above design wind speed.

Question 30

What if it leaks after you've finished?

Accepted Answer

Call the office number on your warranty card. Diagnostic visit within 48 hours, repair within 5 working days if it's workmanship-related — fully covered. If it turns out to be unrelated (new plumbing leak, blocked gutter, etc.) we still attend free for the first year.

Question 31

Do you offer annual roof maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Yes — £180/year for terraced, £240/year for semi-detached. Annual inspection, gutter clear, moss treatment, photo report and any minor pointing/tile re-bedding under 30 minutes included. Highly recommended for properties under heavy tree cover (Dulwich, Bromley, Wimbledon Common).

Question 32

Does the warranty transfer if I sell the house?

Accepted Answer

Yes — workmanship warranties are property-linked, not owner-linked. We re-issue in the new owner's name free of charge on request. Documented in the homebuyer pack many of our clients hand over at completion.

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