What the job costs in Rhondda
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.
Areas around Rhondda we cover
Distance is rarely the deciding factor. A roof in Tonypandy, 3 miles from Rhondda, gets the same survey, the same written quote and the same fitting process as one in CF43, CF41 and CF40. What changes the price is the job itself: size of unit, roof type, access and lifting. Aberdare, around 4 miles out, is treated the same way.
Fit-only or supply and fit
Supply and fit tends to suit people who would rather not pick a unit from a catalogue. We look at the roof, the opening and how you use the room, then put a new rooflight on the quote that fits all three. Fit-only suits people who already know what they want, or have one on site. We are happy with either. The difference is who stands behind what: on fit-only, the maker or retailer covers the product, and our workmanship guarantee covers the installation.
Included in the work
- Plasterboard reveals formed inside and left ready for skim or decoration
- Joists or rafters trimmed with new timbers to carry the load around
- Opening marked out, covering stripped back and the deck cut cleanly
- Which way the joists run — We check the direction and size of the joists before fixing the rooflight's position.
- Planning for your roof — We check whether the new rooflight falls within permitted development for your house and nation.
A typical installation day
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 new rooflight, seal it and finish the inside. Packaging and any old unit leave with them unless the quote says otherwise.
Planning and building rules in Wales
In Wales, a new rooflight opening generally needs building regulations approval, and a replacement needs either a scheme-registered installer's certificate or a building notice to the council. We are not registered with a scheme, so we use a building notice and show the fee on the quote. Rooflights must meet 2.2 W/m²K and roof windows 1.4 W/m²K. Planning is tighter than in England: rooflights are not permitted development in conservation areas, National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or World Heritage Sites, so we check your address before quoting.
What to send for a quick quote
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 CF43. That is enough for a first price.
Common questions in Rhondda
Do I need planning permission for a rooflight in Rhondda?
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 Wales. 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.
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.
Can you fit a rooflight in winter or when it is raining?
Yes, within limits. Cold is less of a problem than wet, because membranes, primers and sealants need a dry surface to bond. We plan fitting days around the forecast and may move a date if heavy rain is due. If the roof has to be opened up, it is not left overnight without a temporary weather seal, so the room below stays dry while the work is finished.
Questions before you commit? Send them over with your Rhondda postcode and we will answer them plainly, with a quote alongside.
