Swanley 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 fees, where a job needs them, are shown as their own line.
Where our fitters travel
Swanley and the districts around it, BR8, DA4 and DA2, all sit inside our working area. So does the ground between Swanley and Bexley (3 miles), and on towards Orpington (4 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
- Upstands checked for size, height, level and square
- Upstands built by us where you would rather not
- Roof lanterns assembled and glazed on your upstand
- Deliveries and damage — We check delivered units against the schedule before fitting.
- Upstand ready and to size — We ask for the upstands to be built to the maker's drawing before we arrive.
A typical installation 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 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 half a day to a day per unit.
Planning, building control and Swanley
England's rules in short: permitted development usually covers a rooflight on a house roof provided it doesn't stick out more than 0.15 m or rise above the ridge, though a listed building always needs consent and some streets have Article 4 directions. Building regulations apply to new openings, and replacements go through building control; as we are not registered with a competent person scheme, we agree up front who notifies it. The energy limit for rooflights in existing homes is 2.2 W/m²K, and the 2026 Approved Document L, in force from 24 March 2027, keeps that figure.
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, BR8 or nearby, confirms travel.
Common questions in Swanley
How long does fitting take?
Fitting a rooflight into an existing, correctly sized opening is often a day's work. New openings take longer, because joists or rafters need trimming, an upstand or flashing has to be built or fitted, and the inside needs finishing. Large units that need lifting gear, and days lost to rain, can stretch things further. Your written quote gives a realistic estimate for your roof.
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.
What upstand height and roof pitch does 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.
Builders and roofers in Swanley: send the spec and the site address for a written trade price.
