What the job costs in Houghton-Le-Spring
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 DH5 and neighbouring districts
Covering Houghton-Le-Spring means covering the people who live and work there, not a single postcode. We take on domestic and commercial jobs in DH5, DH4 and SR3, and are happy to quote further out in Chester-le-Street and Washington. If your address sits between towns, tell us and we will confirm whether it falls in our normal area or needs travel set out separately on the quote.
Included in the work
- New vent fitted, sealed and weathered into the roof
- Commissioning and sign-off carried out by the specialist before handover
- Certified vent and actuator matched to the opening and controls
- Certified as a system — We only fit smoke vents that are certified to BS EN 12101-2.
- Fire rules near escape routes — We check the roof around the vent for fire rules that affect it.
Fitting your smoke vent rooflight, step by step
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.
Regulations for Houghton-Le-Spring properties
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.
Help us quote accurately
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 DH5 and we will come back with a quote or a survey date.
Common questions in Houghton-Le-Spring
Who is responsible for the smoke-control system?
The building's responsible person, duty holder or managing agent, depending on the nation, is responsible for keeping fire safety systems working. Our part is the rooflight and roof work; the controls, detection and commissioning are handled by a smoke-control specialist, and the quote says who does what.
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.
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.
Get in touch with the details of your Houghton-Le-Spring property and we will explain what the job involves and what it costs.

