What the job costs in Colchester
Small sealed unit
Misted or cracked unit up to about 1 m² measured, made and refitted
Medium sealed unit
Units up to about 2 m², or toughened and laminated
Large or specialist
Triple glazed, solar-control or heavy units needing lifting gear
Guide ranges. The first visit is charged and priced before booking; any new glass is priced in writing before work starts. 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 Colchester we cover
Covering Colchester means covering the people who live and work there, not a single postcode. We take on domestic and commercial jobs in CO1, CO2 and CO4, and are happy to quote further out in Sudbury and Clacton-on-Sea. 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.
What we do on the day
- Frame rebate cleaned and checked for damage, corrosion or failed seals
- Old glass taken out safely and removed from site
- Joints water tested and the glass cleaned inside and out
- Weight and lifting — We plan how a heavy pane gets onto the roof and into the frame.
- Condensation or a failed seal — We confirm whether the mist is inside the sealed unit or on the room-side surface.
How the glass is replaced
The second visit is the quick one. With the new unit made to size, the fitters take the old glass out, check the frame and drainage paths, and set the new glass on packers so it sits square and drains properly. Seals and cappings are renewed where needed, the area is cleared, and you are shown what was done.
Planning, building control and Colchester
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.
What to send us
To price the measuring visit, send a photo of the rooflight from inside showing the misting or crack, one from outside if you can reach a safe viewpoint, and the rough size of the glass. If you know the make or have the original paperwork, include that too, along with the postcode.
Common questions in Colchester
Is new glass or a new rooflight better value?
If the frame, gaskets and drainage are sound, new glass is usually the cheaper fix. If the frame is cracked, distorted or leaking at the kerb, a full replacement is better value. After the measuring visit we price both so you can compare.
Can you replace just the glass in my rooflight?
Often, yes. If the frame, gaskets and drainage are sound, a new sealed unit can go into the existing frame. If the frame has failed, is distorted or leaks around the edge, replacing the whole rooflight is usually the better answer, and we tell you that.
How long does new rooflight glass take?
The new sealed unit is made to the measured size, so there is a gap between the measuring visit and the fitting visit while it is produced. We give you the expected timing when we price the glass, and book the fitting once it has arrived.
Got a leak or a misted unit in Colchester? Send photos first and we will tell you what the visit costs before booking.
