What the job costs in Newtownards
Small opening
Up to about 1000 × 1000 mm with actuator, rain sensor and switch or remote
Medium opening
Larger units, wall switch and remote
Large opening
Big or heavy units, extra actuators
Guide ranges for supply & fit; the electrician's final connection is quoted 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
Our fitters come to you. For Newtownards that covers BT23, BT19 and BT16, plus nearby Bangor and Castlereagh. We do not keep a yard or showroom in the area, and you do not need to visit one. The survey happens at your property or, for fit-only work, from the photos you send. Dates follow fitter availability, which we confirm when you accept the quote.
What we check on a supplied unit
If you have bought an electric opening rooflight yourself, we check four things before fitting. First, the delivery: open it, look for chips, cracks and bent frames, and report any damage to the seller straight away. Second, the size, measured against the builder's opening rather than the external frame. Third, the upstand height above the finished roof. Fourth, the maker's instructions, which set the fixings and sealing. Product warranty claims go to the seller and maker; our guarantee is for how it was fitted.
On the day, we cover
- Upstand checked or built to suit the unit and its actuator housing
- Rain sensor positioned where it will get wet when rain starts
- Cable route and controls set up ready for the electrician's final connection, quoted as a separate line
- Opening onto a side slope — We check where the opening part will sit if the roof is pitched or the unit faces a neighbour.
- Where power comes from — We find a sensible power supply for the rooflight before fitting day.
Fitting your electric opening rooflight, step by step
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 an electric opening rooflight: one day, plus the electrician's connection, weather permitting.
Planning and building rules in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the energy standard for a new or replacement rooflight or roof window in an existing home is WER Band C or a U-value of 1.6 W/m²K, under Technical Booklet F1. Cutting a new opening alters the roof structure, so a building control application is expected; confirm with the council's building control team. Planning permitted development covers many rooflights on houses if they stay below the ridge, project no more than 15 cm on a road-facing slope and sit at least 0.5 m from the ridge, eaves and verges.
Details that speed up your quote
For fit-only work, the product details matter most: the link, the spec sheet, or a photo of the label on the box. Alongside that, send pictures of the roof and the ceiling below, approximate opening sizes, the type of roof covering, and how someone would get onto the roof. For supply and fit, the same photos and sizes do the job. Finish with your postcode, such as BT23.
Common questions in Newtownards
What upstand height and roof pitch does electric opening 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.
Can you remove and dispose of the old rooflight?
Yes. Taking out the old unit is part of any replacement job, and it leaves with the rest of the waste unless you ask to keep it. Old domes, glass and frames go through proper waste routes. If removal turns up a rotten kerb or damaged decking, we show you what we have found and agree the repair with you before going any further.
Do I need planning permission for a rooflight in Newtownards?
Often not. Many rooflights fall under permitted development, provided they do not project beyond the national limit and meet the other conditions that apply in Northern Ireland. Conservation areas, listed buildings and some flats are different and may need consent. Because the rules depend on the property, we confirm what is likely to apply at your address and point you to the planning authority where an application is needed.
Ask for a quote for your Newtownards roof. Survey dates are offered based on fitter availability once you are happy with the price.
