What the job costs in Runcorn
Vent swap
Like-for-like certified vent and actuator, connected to the existing controls and commissioned by a smoke-control specialist
Vent with new controls
Vent plus new control panel and detection, commissioned by a smoke-control specialist
Multiple vents
Several stairwells or larger systems, priced from a survey
Guide ranges for supply & fit; controls and commissioning by a smoke-control specialist. 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.
Covering WA7 and neighbouring districts
Distance is rarely the deciding factor. A roof in Widnes, 1 mile from Runcorn, gets the same survey, the same written quote and the same fitting process as one in WA7, WA8 and WA6. What changes the price is the job itself: size of unit, roof type, access and lifting. Halewood, around 4 miles out, is treated the same way.
What the job includes
- New vent fitted, sealed and weathered into the roof
- Certified vent and actuator matched to the opening and controls
- Old vent removed with the stairwell kept protected below
- Certified as a system — We only fit smoke vents that are certified to BS EN 12101-2.
- Free area at the stair head — We check the free area the vent must provide before choosing a replacement.
Fitting your smoke vent rooflight, step by step
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 smoke vent 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.
Planning, building control and Runcorn
In England, smoke vents for common stairs must be certified to BS EN 12101-2, provide the free area the fire strategy requires (Approved Document B calls for at least 1 m² at the top of a common stair), and have backup power. Smoke vents have their own energy limit, commonly 3.5 W/m²K. Controls and commissioning are handled by a smoke-control specialist, and building control is involved where the system changes.
Details that speed up your quote
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, WA7 or nearby, confirms travel.
Common questions in Runcorn
What upstand height and roof pitch does smoke vent rooflight 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.
Do you need scaffolding to fit a rooflight?
Not always. Single-storey roofs can often be reached safely with ladders, a tower or edge protection. Higher roofs, steep pitches and large units usually need scaffold or a mobile platform, and heavy glass may need a crane. We assess access from your photos or at the survey, and any scaffold or lifting cost is shown as its own line on the written quote.
What is included in the price?
The written quote lists it line by line. Typically that covers fitting labour, fixings, sealants, membrane or flashing materials, any upstand work, internal finishing if agreed, and taking away the waste. For supply and fit, the unit itself is included too. Scaffold, lifting gear and any third-party fees, where needed, are shown separately so you can see what each part of the job costs.
Questions before you commit? Send them over with your Runcorn postcode and we will answer them plainly, with a quote alongside.
