Guide prices
Small conservation unit
Low-profile unit with glazing bar, slate or tile flashing
Medium unit
Larger opening, lead or matching flashings
Large or bespoke
Larger or made-to-order units for listed or sensitive roofs
Guide ranges for supply & fit. 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 BR8 and neighbouring districts
Covering Swanley means covering the people who live and work there, not a single postcode. We take on domestic and commercial jobs in BR8, DA4 and DA2, and are happy to quote further out in Bexley and Orpington. If your address sits between towns, tell us and we will confirm whether it falls in our normal area or needs travel set out separately on the quote.
What we check on a supplied unit
A damaged delivery is a frequent snag on fit-only work. Before the day, unpack a conservation rooflight, photograph it, and tell the seller about any cracks or scuffs, because claims are much easier made early. We will also ask for the model or a link, so we can read the maker's instructions and check the opening size and the flashing kit it expects. If everything lines up, we fit it. If not, we explain what needs changing first.
What we do on the day
- Rafters trimmed with timbers that suit the existing roof
- Rooflight set low so it sits close to the line of the roof
- Slates or tiles made good around the frame with tidy cuts
- Energy and old roofs — We make sure the rooflight meets current energy rules while suiting an older roof build-up.
- Glazing bar and frame detail — We check whether the council has asked for particular details, such as a central glazing bar or a dark frame colour.
How a fitting day runs
On the day, you need to be in at the start and at the end. In between, the fitters get on with it. They will want the room below cleared where possible, a parking spot if you have one, and somewhere to set the unit down safely. After checking the opening and the upstand or flashing, they fix a conservation rooflight, seal it and finish the inside. Packaging and any old unit leave with them unless the quote says otherwise.
Planning, building control and Swanley
England's rules in short: permitted development usually covers a rooflight on a house roof provided it doesn't stick out more than 0.15 m or rise above the ridge, though a listed building always needs consent and some streets have Article 4 directions. Building regulations apply to new openings, and replacements go through building control; as we are not registered with a competent person scheme, we use a building notice and show the fee on the quote. The energy limit for rooflights in existing homes is 2.2 W/m²K, and the 2026 Approved Document L, in force from 24 March 2027, keeps that figure.
What to send for a quick quote
What we cannot see, we have to guess, and guesses make quotes wider. So the more you send, the tighter the price. Useful: shots from the roof or garden, shots from the room underneath, a rough width and length, the roof finish, any access problems, and the product page if you have already ordered. Add the property postcode around BR8 and we will come back with a quote or a survey date.
Common questions in Swanley
How long does fitting take?
Fitting a conservation 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.
What is included in the price?
The written quote lists it line by line. Typically that covers fitting labour, fixings, sealants, membrane or flashing materials, any upstand work, internal finishing if agreed, and taking away the waste. For supply and fit, the unit itself is included too. Scaffold, lifting gear and any third-party fees, where needed, are shown separately so you can see what each part of the job costs.
What if my roof opening is the wrong size for the conservation 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.
Got a unit waiting to go in, or need one sourced? Either way, start with your Swanley address and a couple of photos.
