What the job costs in Northampton
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.
Coverage in and around Northampton
Distance is rarely the deciding factor. A roof in Wellingborough, 9 miles from Northampton, gets the same survey, the same written quote and the same fitting process as one in NN1, NN2 and NN3. What changes the price is the job itself: size of unit, roof type, access and lifting. Daventry, around 12 miles out, is treated the same way.
Included in the work
- Controls, detection and wiring handled by the smoke-control specialist
- Commissioning and sign-off carried out by the specialist before handover
- Old vent removed with the stairwell kept protected below
- Controls and backup power — We confirm the controls, detection and backup power are being dealt with by a specialist.
- Upstand and weathering — We check the upstand suits the new vent and that the roof around it is sound.
What happens on the day
On the day, you need to be in at the start and at the end. In between, the fitters get on with it. They will want the room below cleared where possible, a parking spot if you have one, and somewhere to set the unit down safely. After checking the opening and the upstand or flashing, they fix a smoke vent rooflight, seal it and finish the inside. Packaging and any old unit leave with them unless the quote says otherwise.
Regulations for Northampton properties
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.
What to send for a quick 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, NN1 or nearby, confirms travel.
Common questions in Northampton
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.
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.
Can you fit a rooflight in winter or when it is raining?
Yes, within limits. Cold is less of a problem than wet, because membranes, primers and sealants need a dry surface to bond. We plan fitting days around the forecast and may move a date if heavy rain is due. If the roof has to be opened up, it is not left overnight without a temporary weather seal, so the room below stays dry while the work is finished.
Planning a smoke vent rooflight in Northampton? Tell us about the roof and we will come back with a clear price in writing.
