Forfar · Angus and Dundee
Roof structure repairs in Forfar
Roofs in Forfar that were re-covered with heavier concrete tiles, or had struts cut out for a loft room, often start to sag years later. Spotting which change caused the movement is the first step to a repair that holds.
Guide price from£285per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- DD8
- Population
- about 14,000
- Area
- Angus and Dundee
- Pricing region
- Scotland
Why does the ground in Angus and Dundee matter for roof structure repairs?
With roughly 14,000 people, Forfar spans postcode districts DD8 in Angus and Dundee. Neighbouring towns we cover: Carnoustie (12 miles), Dundee (12 miles) and Arbroath (13 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in Angus and Dundee than in south-east England. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Typical buildings in Angus and Dundee: Sandstone tenements in Dundee, fishing-town houses and post-war estates.
From first photo to finished repair
Loft and outside survey
On site we check rafter sizes and spacing, purlins, struts, ties and wall plates, look for rot and past alterations, and measure any lean at the wall head. The covering is noted too, because its weight affects the repair.
Engineer’s design where needed
Where purlins, struts or ties must be redesigned, or the roof carries a heavier covering, an independent chartered structural engineer is appointed to specify the work. We can arrange this, and their design sets the sizes and fixings.
Written quote
You receive a no-obligation written quote listing each timber repair, any ties or straps, propping, scaffolding and making good. Once the repair is specified, the figure becomes a fixed price in writing.
Symptoms that point to roof structure repairs
- Horizontal cracks in the wall just below the eaves or ceiling line
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Forfar
Guide prices below are for homes in Forfar, on Scotland rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing or doubling a rafter | £285 – £570 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,150 – £2,850 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £760 – £2,400 | per roof |
Methods for roof structure repairs
Repairing or doubling rafters
Cracked, sagging or rotten rafters are strengthened by fixing a new timber alongside, often called doubling, and rotten rafter feet are cut back and spliced. The work is usually done from inside the loft with the tiles left in place, unless the covering is coming off anyway.
Best for: Individual rafters that have cracked, sagged or rotted at the feet
Wall plate replacement
Rotten or crushed wall plates are replaced in short lengths while the rafters above are propped, and bedded on the wall in mortar. The plate is then strapped down to the masonry. It is often combined with rafter foot splices along the same run.
Best for: Rot along the eaves where rafters bear on the wall
Rules for roof structure repairs in Scotland
In Scotland, underpinning and other structural alterations generally need a building warrant from the council’s building standards service before work starts, and a completion certificate at the end; small like-for-like repairs often do not. There is no Party Wall Act in Scotland; shared walls are covered by title deeds and, for flats, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of roof structure repairs in Forfar?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Forfar start from about £285 per rafter, including VAT, on Scotland rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you carry out roof structure repairs in Forfar?
Yes, Forfar is covered, along with postcode districts DD8. We also cover nearby Carnoustie and Dundee.
Does the ground around Forfar cause cracking?
Angus and Dundee sit on Old Red Sandstone and igneous rock with glacial and raised-beach deposits. Hillside sites in Dundee mean retaining walls are common. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can heavy concrete tiles damage a roof?
Yes, if the frame was designed for lighter slate or tiles and was not strengthened. The extra weight makes rafters and purlins sag and can bring on roof spread. Before re-roofing in a heavier material, have the structure checked and notify building control.
What is roof spread?
Roof spread is when the feet of the rafters move outward because nothing is tying them together firmly enough. As they spread, the ridge drops and the tops of the walls are pushed out, often with a horizontal crack below the eaves. It is fixed by adding ties, collars or straps, sometimes with rebuilding.
More repairs we carry out in Forfar
- Floor joist repairs
- Underpinning
- Brick arch repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
Roof structure repairs near Forfar
Get a free initial assessment of a sagging or spreading roof in Forfar from your photos or a call, and find out whether an engineer is needed.