What the job costs in Braintree
Per standard unit
Flat glass or polycarbonate unit on an existing kerb, as part of a multi-unit job
Per large unit
Larger or ventilating units, edge protection in place
Programme of works
Phased replacement across a building, priced from a survey
Guide ranges for supply & fit, per unit; site set-up priced separately. Your price is fixed in a written quote after we have seen photos or surveyed. Scaffold, access towers or a crane are priced separately if the job needs them, and building control fees, where a job needs them, are shown as their own line.
Covering CM7 and neighbouring districts
If you also own a property or a business unit in Witham, Chelmsford or Maldon, that is no problem. We can survey and quote both, and where it suits, line the fitting days up together. Every address is reached by fitters travelling to it from their current jobs, and CM7, CM77 and CM8 sit comfortably within that pattern.
On the day, we cover
- New units fitted, sealed and weathered into the roof covering
- Old units removed, with waste taken off site
- Roof survey of every unit, kerb and the fragile areas around them
- Fire performance near boundaries — We check how close the rooflights are to the site boundary and to escape routes.
- Energy limits for non-domestic roofs — We check new units against the energy limits for non-domestic buildings.
A typical installation day
Protection comes before tools. Floors, furniture and stairs get covered, and the ceiling below the opening is sheeted to catch dust. Up top, the fitters confirm the opening is square and the upstand or flashing suits what the maker specifies. Fixing follows, then weather-sealing into the membrane, felt or tiles. Only once the roof is tight do they turn to the internal reveal. Time on site for a commercial rooflight: about a day per unit, longer on big roofs, weather permitting.
Do you need permission in Braintree?
On commercial buildings in England, new rooflights and changes to roof structure go through building control, and replacements in non-dwellings also need building control involvement unless fitted by a scheme-registered installer, which we are not; load-bearing or structural glass always goes through building control. Fire rules matter near boundaries and over escape routes, and smoke vents must be certified to BS EN 12101-2. We confirm the route and the paperwork for your building before work starts.
Getting a price from photos
Each detail you send takes a question off our list. Photos inside and out show the opening and the ceiling. Rough measurements tell us the unit size. The roof covering tells us how it will be sealed in. Access notes tell us whether a tower or scaffold is needed. A product link, if you have one, lets us check it against the opening. Your postcode, CM7 or nearby, confirms travel.
Common questions in Braintree
Who is responsible for the smoke-control system?
The building's responsible person, duty holder or managing agent, depending on the nation, is responsible for keeping fire safety systems working. Our part is the rooflight and roof work; the controls, detection and commissioning are handled by a smoke-control specialist, and the quote says who does what.
Do commercial rooflights need planning permission?
Like-for-like replacements on commercial buildings rarely need planning permission. New or larger rooflights on non-domestic buildings and blocks of flats usually need checking with the planning authority, because householder permitted development rights don't apply. We tell you what we know about your building and point you to the right team.
Will my new commercial rooflight leak?
A correctly fitted unit should not. Leaks usually trace back to the detail around the frame: an upstand that is too low, a membrane or flashing that is not dressed properly, sealant applied to a damp surface, or water ponding against the kerb. We fit to the maker's instructions and check each of those points. The fitting carries a written workmanship guarantee, with its terms set out on your quote.
Ask for a quote for your Braintree roof. Survey dates are offered based on fitter availability once you are happy with the price.
