Felixstowe guide prices
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
Distance is rarely the deciding factor. A roof in Harwich, 3 miles from Felixstowe, gets the same survey, the same written quote and the same fitting process as one in IP11, IP10 and IP5. What changes the price is the job itself: size of unit, roof type, access and lifting. Walton-on-the-Naze, around 9 miles out, is treated the same way.
What we do on the day
- Existing vent, actuator and upstand surveyed with the specialist
- Old vent removed with the stairwell kept protected below
- New vent fitted, sealed and weathered into the roof
- Certified as a system — We only fit smoke vents that are certified to BS EN 12101-2.
- Controls and backup power — We confirm the controls, detection and backup power are being dealt with by a specialist.
What happens on the day
Arrive and agree the plan. Sheet the floor and furniture. Set up the ladder, tower or scaffold. Check the opening, the upstand or flashing, and the unit against the paperwork. Fix and pack a smoke vent rooflight level. Seal it into the roof. Line the reveal or fit the ceiling trim. Clean the glass, clear the waste, and talk you through it. That is the shape of most fitting days, and for this type of job it usually takes one to two days per vent.
Planning, building control and Felixstowe
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.
What to send for a quick quote
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 IP11 and we will come back with a quote or a survey date.
Common questions in Felixstowe
Does commercial rooflight work need building control?
Usually. New openings, structural changes and smoke vents go through building control, and on buildings covered by fire safety law that means a full plans application rather than a building notice. We are not registered with a competent person scheme, so replacements we fit are notified to building control. We confirm the route and show any fee on the quote.
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.
Can you remove and dispose of the old rooflight?
Yes. Taking out the old unit is part of any replacement job, and it leaves with the rest of the waste unless you ask to keep it. Old domes, glass and frames go through proper waste routes. If removal turns up a rotten kerb or damaged decking, we show you what we have found and agree the repair with you before going any further.
Send a few photos and your IP11 postcode, and we will put together a written quote for the job.

