What the job costs in Cowes
Small fixed unit
Opening cut, joists trimmed, upstand built, roof covering made good, plasterboard reveals ready for decoration
Medium fixed unit
As the small unit, with a larger opening up to about 1 × 2 m and additional trimming
Large or opening unit
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.
Coverage in and around Cowes
Distance is rarely the deciding factor. A roof in Newport, 4 miles from Cowes, gets the same survey, the same written quote and the same fitting process as one in PO31, PO32 and PO30. What changes the price is the job itself: size of unit, roof type, access and lifting. Ryde, around 6 miles out, is treated the same way.
Fit-only or supply and fit
Your unit or ours, the fitting standard is the same. For supply and fit we choose a new rooflight to suit the roof and price it with the installation. For fit-only we work with what you have, after confirming it arrived undamaged, that it matches the builder's opening, and that the upstand will sit at the height the maker asks for. Report any transit damage to the seller, as the product cover is theirs and the maker's. Our written guarantee applies to the fitting itself.
Included in the work
- Insulated upstand built square, level and to the maker's height
- Roof membrane, felt or tiles made good and dressed up the upstand
- Rooflight fitted, sealed and checked for even clearance on every side
- Warm or cold roof build-up — We find out whether the roof is insulated above or between the joists before designing the upstand.
- Upstand energy performance — We build the upstand to meet the energy limit for site-built upstands, not just to hold the rooflight up.
From arrival to clean-up
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 new rooflight: two to three days, weather permitting.
Do you need permission in Cowes?
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.
Help us quote accurately
Keep it simple. Two or three photos, outside and inside. Approximate sizes. What the roof is made of. Anything awkward about getting up there, such as a conservatory below, a narrow side path or no parking. If you bought the rooflight online, the link or model name. Then your postcode in or around PO31. That is enough for a first price.
Common questions in Cowes
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 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.
How does payment work?
Payment terms are set out on your written quote before you accept it. Depending on the job, that may mean a deposit, stage payments for larger work, or payment on completion. The contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, part of the S&K Group. Nothing is added without your agreement: if something unexpected comes up, we discuss it and agree any change before carrying on.
Got a unit waiting to go in, or need one sourced? Either way, start with your Cowes address and a couple of photos.

