Derry/Londonderry 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 control fees, where a job needs them, are shown as their own line.
Areas around Derry/Londonderry we cover
Distance is rarely the deciding factor. A roof in Coleraine, 27 miles from Derry/Londonderry, gets the same survey, the same written quote and the same fitting process as one in BT48, BT47 and BT49. What changes the price is the job itself: size of unit, roof type, access and lifting. Omagh, around 27 miles out, is treated the same way.
Your roof access hatches or ours
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 roof access hatch 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.
What we do on the day
- Hatch fixed and weathered, with the membrane dressed up the upstand
- Opening and closing tested and the controls explained
- Gas struts or actuator fitted and adjusted for full opening
- How far the lid opens — We check how far the lid swings open and what it swings over.
- Safety at the roof edge — We ask how often people will use the roof and for what.
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 roof access hatch, seal it and finish the inside. Packaging and any old unit leave with them unless the quote says otherwise.
Planning and building rules in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's building regulations set a minimum of WER Band C or 1.6 W/m²K for rooflights and roof windows in existing homes, assessed under Technical Booklet F1. New openings involve trimming the roof structure, so expect a building control application. Many house rooflights don't need planning permission, but conservation areas and listed buildings are excluded, and side windows near a boundary have obscure-glazing rules. We confirm what applies.
Help us quote accurately
Start with your phone. Take a picture of the roof where the unit goes or already sits, then one from inside looking up. Measure what you can, even roughly. Tell us what the roof is covered with and how a fitter would reach it: ladder, garden access or scaffold. Bought it already? Send the link or spec. Add your full postcode, for example in BT48, and we can price it.
Common questions in Derry/Londonderry
What if my roof opening is the wrong size for the roof access hatch?
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 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.
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.
Questions before you commit? Send them over with your Derry/Londonderry postcode and we will answer them plainly, with a quote alongside.
