New rooflight in an existing roof across County Durham

Guide prices in County Durham

Small fixed unit

£2,295 – £3,345including VAT at 20%

Opening cut, joists trimmed, upstand built, roof covering made good, plasterboard reveals ready for decoration

Medium fixed unit

£3,345 – £4,795including VAT at 20%

As the small unit, with a larger opening up to about 1 × 2 m and additional trimming

Large or opening unit

£4,795 – £7,795including VAT at 20%

Bigger structural work or an electric opening unit

Guide ranges for supply & fit, including structure and making good; building control or warrant fees extra. 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.

Towns we list in County Durham

Coverage in County Durham works by postcode, not by distance from an office. Give us the full postcode and we will confirm whether it is standard cover, as it is for most of England, or one of the few remote and island areas handled by arrangement. Either way, you get a written quote before any work is booked, with travel included in the price.

What's included

Survey of joist direction, roof build-up, ceiling void and access
Joists or rafters trimmed with new timbers to carry the load around
Opening marked out, covering stripped back and the deck cut cleanly
Warm or cold roof build-up — We find out whether the roof is insulated above or between the joists before designing the upstand.
Planning for your roof — We check whether the new rooflight falls within permitted development for your house and nation.

Rules that apply in England

Two sets of rules matter in England. Planning: a rooflight on a house is normally permitted development if it projects no more than 0.15 m and stays below the highest part of the roof, but flats, listed buildings and Article 4 areas need checking. Building regulations: new openings need approval for the structure and energy performance, and a replacement is a controlled fitting. We are not registered with a competent person scheme, so we notify replacements to building control with a building notice and put the council's fee on the quote.

Common questions in County Durham

What if my roof opening is the wrong size for the 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.

What upstand height and roof pitch does 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.

Do you cover County Durham?

Yes. Fitters travel to addresses in County Durham and the surrounding districts, including DH, DL, SR and TS postcodes. We do not run an office there; the survey and the fitting happen at your property. A few island and remote postcodes are covered by arrangement; if yours is one, we confirm travel and dates before quoting.

New rooflight in an existing roof in County Durham