Folkestone guide prices
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.
Where our fitters travel
Distance is rarely the deciding factor. A roof in Dover, 7 miles from Folkestone, gets the same survey, the same written quote and the same fitting process as one in CT20, CT19 and CT18. What changes the price is the job itself: size of unit, roof type, access and lifting. Ashford, around 13 miles out, is treated the same way.
On the day, we cover
- Roof survey of every unit, kerb and the fragile areas around them
- Old units removed, with waste taken off site
- Unit schedule and handover notes for the building's records
- Glass or polycarbonate — We compare glass and polycarbonate units against the roof, use and budget.
- Working around occupied buildings — We plan noise, dust and access around the people using the building.
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.
Regulations for Folkestone properties
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, CT20 or nearby, confirms travel.
Common questions in Folkestone
What upstand height and roof pitch does commercial rooflight fitting need?
It depends on the product. Manufacturers usually specify a minimum upstand height above the finished roof surface, and a minimum pitch on the glass so rain runs off. We follow the maker's figures for your unit rather than a rule of thumb. If your existing kerb or roof falls short, we explain the options, such as raising the upstand or choosing a unit with built-in pitch.
What if my roof opening is the wrong size for the commercial rooflight?
We find out before the fitting day, not on it. If the opening is slightly out, it can usually be adjusted by trimming or by packing out the upstand. If it is a long way off, the choice is between altering the opening and changing the unit. Bear in mind that rooflights are often sold by builder's opening size rather than external size, so check which one your measurement refers to.
How long does fitting take?
Fitting a commercial rooflight into an existing, correctly sized opening is often a day's work. New openings take longer, because joists or rafters need trimming, an upstand or flashing has to be built or fitted, and the inside needs finishing. Large units that need lifting gear, and days lost to rain, can stretch things further. Your written quote gives a realistic estimate for your roof.
Planning a commercial rooflight in Folkestone? Tell us about the roof and we will come back with a clear price in writing.
