Guide prices in Archway
Like-for-like swap
Old dome or unit removed and disposed of, new glass rooflight fitted to the existing sound kerb
New upstand and swap
Old kerb taken off, new insulated upstand built, roof covering made good, new unit fitted
Opening or large unit
Electric or larger replacement, including making good inside
Guide ranges for supply & fit; building control notice fee extra in England and Wales. 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 Archway we cover
Fitters travel to the job, so the address is what counts. In Archway that means postcode districts N19, N6 and NW5, and the same teams can just as easily take on work in Highgate, about 1 mile away, or Holloway at roughly 1 mile. Survey and fitting dates are offered according to fitter availability, and travel is built into the quote rather than added later.
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 replacement 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
- Roof membrane repaired and turned up where it meets the kerb
- Old rooflight or dome unscrewed, lifted out and taken away for disposal
- Kerb inspected for rot, height, level and fall once the old unit is off
- Dome to glass upgrades — We check that the opening and kerb suit a flat glass unit before quoting a dome-to-glass swap.
- Energy rules for the new unit — We make sure the replacement meets the current energy limit, not just the old unit's performance.
From arrival to clean-up
Fitting days start with a look at the sky. If rain is due, the order of work changes so the roof is never left open to it. A typical day for a replacement rooflight runs like this: set up access, protect the room, open up the roof or prepare the existing kerb or frame, check sizes, fix, seal, then finish inside. On jobs that take more than a day, the opening is weather-sealed overnight. The last hour goes on tidying, waste removal and a walk-round with you.
Do you need permission in Archway?
Replacing a rooflight in an English home is a controlled fitting: it has to be self-certified by a scheme-registered installer or notified to building control. We are not registered with a competent person scheme, so replacements we fit are notified with a building notice, and the new unit has to meet current energy limits. Adding a new one usually means a building regulations application, because joists or rafters are trimmed. On the planning side, most house rooflights are permitted development if they project 0.15 m or less; on a side slope the glass must be obscured and fixed unless the opening part is over 1.7 m above the floor.
Getting a price from photos
What we cannot see, we have to guess, and guesses make quotes wider. So the more you send, the tighter the price. Useful: shots from the roof or garden, shots from the room underneath, a rough width and length, the roof finish, any access problems, and the product page if you have already ordered. Add the property postcode around N19 and we will come back with a quote or a survey date.
Common questions in Archway
Does a rooflight need building regulations approval?
A new opening usually needs building regulations approval. A replacement is a controlled fitting: it must be self-certified by an installer registered with a competent person scheme or notified to building control. We are not registered with a scheme, so replacements we fit are notified to building control with a building notice, and the council's fee is shown on your quote.
Do I need planning permission for a rooflight in Archway?
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 England. 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.
How long does fitting take?
Fitting a replacement rooflight 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.
Planning a replacement rooflight in Archway? Tell us about the roof and we will come back with a clear price in writing.

