Guide prices
Entry-level hatch
Polycarbonate or entry-level hinged hatch on gas struts, fitted to a new or existing upstand
Glazed manual hatch
Double-glazed hinged hatch on gas struts, upstand and weathering
Electric glazed hatch
Push-button glazed hatch with rain sensor; electrician's connection quoted separately
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 warrant fees, where a job needs them, are shown as their own line.
Is your address covered?
Covering Helensburgh means covering the people who live and work there, not a single postcode. We take on domestic and commercial jobs in G84, PA23 and PA24, and are happy to quote further out in Greenock and Vale of Leven. 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.
Buying your own, or letting us supply
Which works out better, buying your own or letting us supply? It depends on what you value. Buying your own gives you control of the product and what you pay for it. Letting us supply puts the whole job, unit and fitting, under one written quote. On a customer-supplied unit we still measure it against the opening, look at the upstand, and inspect the condition it arrived in. Warranty on the product sits with whoever sold it, while the fitting carries our own guarantee.
What we do on the day
- Locks, catches or handles checked from inside and out
- Gas struts or actuator fitted and adjusted for full opening
- Opening and upstand sized for a clear climb-through, not just daylight
- Safety at the roof edge — We ask how often people will use the roof and for what.
- Energy performance of hatches — We check the hatch's published U-value against the limit that applies.
How a fitting day runs
Where a job takes one day, the split is usually structural work first and finishing second. Early on, the fitters cut or prepare the opening, trim where needed and prepare the upstand or flashing. Then a roof access hatch is lifted in, fixed and made weathertight so the roof is sound before anyone moves inside. Plasterboard, trim and filler for the reveal come after. Each evening the work area is swept, and at the end the glass is cleaned and the team talks you through what was done.
Do you need permission in Helensburgh?
In Scotland, forming a new rooflight opening needs a building warrant from the council, because the roof is being altered. Replacing an existing rooflight complete with its frame doesn't need a warrant, but the new unit still has to meet the building standards, including the 1.6 W/m²K energy figure for windows and rooflights in alterations. Planning depends on the house and where it is: householder permitted development rights don't apply in conservation areas, and listed buildings need consent. We confirm this with you before quoting.
Before you get in touch
Each detail you send takes a question off our list. Photos inside and out show the opening and the ceiling. Rough measurements tell us the unit size. The roof covering tells us how it will be sealed in. Access notes tell us whether a tower or scaffold is needed. A product link, if you have one, lets us check it against the opening. Your postcode, G84 or nearby, confirms travel.
Common questions in Helensburgh
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.
What upstand height and roof pitch does roof access hatch 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 long does fitting take?
Fitting a roof access hatch 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.
Got a unit waiting to go in, or need one sourced? Either way, start with your Helensburgh address and a couple of photos.
