Fort William 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.
Coverage by arrangement
Jobs in Fort William, including PH33, PH50 and PH49, are taken on by arrangement rather than as routine cover. Send the postcode, photos and sizes; we confirm whether and when a fitting team can travel, and the travel cost is set out in the written quote before you agree to anything.
Your roof access hatches or ours
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
- Kerb checked or built square, level and to the maker's height
- Opening and upstand sized for a clear climb-through, not just daylight
- Opening and closing tested and the controls explained
- How far the lid opens — We check how far the lid swings open and what it swings over.
- Clear opening size — We check the hatch's clear opening rather than its outer size.
A typical installation day
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 roof access hatch: one day, weather permitting.
Planning and building rules in Scotland
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
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 PH33, and we can price it.
Common questions in Fort William
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.
Got a unit waiting to go in, or need one sourced? Either way, start with your Fort William address and a couple of photos.
