Guide prices in Whitstable
Timber upstand
Treated timber kerb built square and level to the maker's size
Insulated upstand
Kerb with insulation and the roof membrane turned up and dressed
Large or with trimming
Bigger kerbs or where joists need trimming first
Guide ranges for labour and materials, rooflight not included. 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.
Is your address covered?
Fitters travel to the job, so the address is what counts. In Whitstable that means postcode districts CT5, CT6 and CT2, and the same teams can just as easily take on work in Herne Bay, about 5 miles away, or Canterbury at roughly 6 miles. Survey and fitting dates are offered according to fitter availability, and travel is built into the quote rather than added later.
What we do on the day
- Diagonals measured so the kerb is square before anything sits on it
- Height set above the finished roof to the maker's stated minimum
- Insulation fitted to the upstand faces to limit heat loss
- Size tolerance on the kerb — We build kerbs to a tight tolerance because rooflight glass is made to order and cannot be trimmed on site.
- Energy limit for site-built kerbs — We insulate upstands to meet the limit for site-built upstands, which is 0.35 W/m²K in England and Wales.
What happens on the day
Building an upstand starts with the rooflight's own drawing: its kerb size, height above the finished roof and fall. The team sets the timber out to those figures, checks the diagonals, insulates the outer faces and dresses the membrane up and over. If the rooflight is going on the same day, it is fitted next; if not, the kerb is protected until it does.
Planning and building rules in England
Two sets of rules matter in England. Planning: a rooflight on a house is normally permitted development if it projects no more than 0.15 m and stays below the highest part of the roof, but flats, listed buildings and Article 4 areas need checking. Building regulations: new openings need approval for the structure and energy performance, and a replacement is a controlled fitting. We are not registered with a competent person scheme, so we notify replacements to building control with a building notice and put the council's fee on the quote.
Details that speed up your 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, CT5 or nearby, confirms travel.
Common questions in Whitstable
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.
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.
How does payment work?
Payment terms are set out on your written quote before you accept it. Depending on the job, that may mean a deposit, stage payments for larger work, or payment on completion. The contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, part of the S&K Group. Nothing is added without your agreement: if something unexpected comes up, we discuss it and agree any change before carrying on.
For a free, no-obligation quote in Whitstable, use the form or call us with the details of your roof.
