On most building jobs the rooflight is a small part of the programme, but it is the part that lets water in if it is not done properly. Trade fitting is for builders, roofers and extension firms who would rather hand it to a fitting team that specialises in it. You supply the units and prepare the upstands, or ask us to build them, and we turn up, fit, seal and leave the roof watertight.
We price trade work per unit, per lantern or as a two-person day rate for mixed or multi-unit jobs, and quote ex VAT for trade accounts. We work to your drawings, your programme and your site rules. If a kerb is out of size or square, we tell you before fitting rather than force the unit. The contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, which directs the fitting teams and is responsible for the work.
What's included
- Supplied units checked against your schedule before fitting
- Upstands checked for size, height, level and square
- Flat rooflights fitted, sealed and trimmed on your kerbs
- Roof lanterns assembled and glazed on your upstand
- Pitched roof windows fitted with their flashing kits
- Upstands built by us where you would rather not
- A short note of anything we found that needs your attention
Guide prices
Per flat rooflight
Fit a supplied unit to your prepared upstand, sealed and trimmed
Per roof lantern
Assemble and glaze a supplied lantern on your upstand
Two-person day rate
Fitting team for multi-unit or mixed work
Guide ranges for labour only, ex VAT for trade accounts. 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 or building warrant fees, where a job needs them, are shown as their own line.
How trade fitting works
- Send the scheduleTell us the units, sizes, roof types and site address, and send drawings if you have them. We price per unit or by the day.
- Agree the programmeWe agree dates around your programme, including when the upstands, roof covering and other trades will be ready for us.
- Check on arrivalWe check the delivered units against the schedule and the upstands against the maker's drawings before anything is fixed.
- Fit and weatherUnits are fitted, sealed and weathered into the roof covering, or left ready for your roofer if that is how the job is split.
- Flag any problemsIf a kerb is the wrong size, a unit is damaged or the roof covering is not ready, we tell you straight away rather than force it.
- Sign off with youAt the end of each visit we tell you what was fitted and anything that needs your attention, so your schedule stays up to date.
Things we check before quoting
Upstand ready and to size
We ask for the upstands to be built to the maker's drawing before we arrive. A kerb built to the box size rather than the hole size is the most common reason a trade visit stalls, so we check drawings with you in advance where we can.
Who weathers the roof
We agree who turns the roof covering up the kerb before we book. On some jobs your roofer finishes the membrane after we fit, on others we do it, and the split needs to be clear so nothing is left half-done.
Deliveries and damage
We check delivered units against the schedule before fitting. Damage found on site goes back to your supplier, and we will not fit a damaged or wrong unit, because that only moves the problem to handover.
Programme and access
We confirm site access, lifting arrangements and working hours before the visit. Heavy lanterns, walk-on glass and large panes may need lifting gear or extra hands, and those are easiest to book alongside the delivery so everything arrives together.
Building control sign-off
We agree with you how building control is handled before fitting. On new-build and extension work the approval usually sits with your application, and on replacement work in homes it needs agreeing up front who notifies the job to building control.
Planning and building regulations
On new-build and extension work, the rooflights are usually covered by the main contractor's building regulations approval, or the building warrant in Scotland, and we fit to the approved drawings. On replacement work in homes in England and Wales, the rooflight is a controlled fitting, so agree in advance who notifies it to building control; we are not registered with a competent person scheme, so we cannot self-certify it. We tell you what our part of the job needs and flag anything we see that may affect sign-off.
| Nation | What usually applies |
|---|---|
| England | New openings usually need building regulations approval. Replacements are controlled fittings; we are not scheme-registered, so we notify them to building control and show the fee on the quote. Rooflights in existing homes must meet 2.2 W/m²K (roof windows 1.4 or WER Band B). Most house rooflights are permitted development if they project no more than 0.15 m; listed buildings need consent. |
| Wales | New openings generally need building regulations approval; replacements need a scheme installer's certificate or a building notice, and we use a building notice. Energy limits are 2.2 W/m²K for rooflights and 1.4 for roof windows. Rooflights aren't permitted development in conservation areas, National Parks, AONBs or World Heritage Sites. |
| Scotland | New rooflights need a building warrant. Replacing a rooflight complete with its frame doesn't, but must meet the standards, including 1.6 W/m²K. Householder permitted development rights don't apply in conservation areas; listed buildings need consent. |
| Northern Ireland | New openings alter the roof structure, so expect a building control application; confirm with your council. Rooflights in existing homes must meet WER Band C or 1.6 W/m²K. Permitted development (Class B) allows up to 15 cm on road-facing slopes, at least 0.5 m from ridge, eaves and verge; not in conservation areas or listed curtilage. |
A summary, not legal advice. We confirm what applies to your address before you commit. Read the full guide.
Questions about trade rooflight fitting
Do you work as subcontractors?
Yes. Trade fitting is subcontract work for builders, roofers, extension and loft companies and commercial contractors. We work to your drawings, programme and site rules, and fit units you have supplied or that we supply. The contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, which is responsible for the fitting work.
How do you price trade work?
Per flat rooflight, per lantern or as a two-person day rate for mixed or multi-unit work. Trade prices are quoted ex VAT. Upstand building, extra hands or lifting gear are priced separately where needed. Send your schedule and we will price the job in writing.
Can you build the upstands as well?
Yes. If you would rather not build the kerbs, we can build insulated upstands to the maker's drawings and turn up the membrane, ready for the units. It is often quicker to do both on the same visit. Tell us when you send the schedule.
What if the upstand is wrong when you arrive?
We check every upstand before fitting. If one is the wrong size, too low or out of square, we tell you straight away and agree what to do: correct it on the day if it is minor, or come back once it has been rebuilt. We will not force a unit onto a kerb that does not suit it.
Can you provide paperwork for our site?
We can provide a job-specific risk assessment and method statement before starting, and our fitters work to your site inductions and rules. Tell us about any requirements when you ask for a price, such as working hours, permits, a site-specific induction or particular protective equipment.
