What the job costs in Broadstairs
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.
Where our fitters travel
Broadstairs and the districts around it, CT10, CT11 and CT9, all sit inside our working area. So does the ground between Broadstairs and Ramsgate (2 miles), and on towards Margate (3 miles). When a fitting team is booked, their travel is already in the quoted price, so it does not turn up as a surprise line on the final bill.
On the day, we cover
- Certified vent and actuator matched to the opening and controls
- Old vent removed with the stairwell kept protected below
- Controls, detection and wiring handled by the smoke-control specialist
- Free area at the stair head — We check the free area the vent must provide before choosing a replacement.
- Certified as a system — We only fit smoke vents that are certified to BS EN 12101-2.
What happens on the 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 smoke vent rooflight: one to two days per vent, weather permitting.
Planning and building rules in England
A replacement smoke vent in England has to keep the free area and performance the building's fire strategy relies on, using a vent certified to BS EN 12101-2 with its actuator and backup power. We fit the vent and do the roof work; a smoke-control specialist connects and commissions the controls, and we confirm whether building control needs to be notified.
Help us quote accurately
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, CT10 or nearby, confirms travel.
Common questions in Broadstairs
Will my new smoke vent rooflight leak?
A correctly fitted unit should not. Leaks usually trace back to the detail around the frame: an upstand that is too low, a membrane or flashing that is not dressed properly, sealant applied to a damp surface, or water ponding against the kerb. We fit to the maker's instructions and check each of those points. The fitting carries a written workmanship guarantee, with its terms set out on your quote.
What if my roof opening is the wrong size for the smoke vent rooflight?
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.
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.
Ask for a quote for your Broadstairs roof. Survey dates are offered based on fitter availability once you are happy with the price.
