March · Cambridgeshire
Roof structure repairs in March
Before buying or re-roofing a house in March, it is worth knowing whether the frame can carry its covering. Send photos of the loft and the ridge, and we will tell you whether the timbers look adequate or need strengthening.
Guide price from£315per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- PE15
- Population
- about 21,000
- Area
- Cambridgeshire
- Pricing region
- East of England
Is Cambridgeshire prone to ground movement?
March, Cambridgeshire: about 21,000 residents across postcode districts PE15. If you are just outside March, we also cover Wisbech (8 miles), Ely (13 miles) and Peterborough (14 miles).
Shrinkable clay is widespread in Cambridgeshire. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Typical buildings in Cambridgeshire: Victorian terraces in Cambridge and Peterborough, fen-edge cottages, and extensive post-war and new-build 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
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
- Horizontal cracks in the wall just below the eaves or ceiling line
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in March
The ranges below reflect typical East of England costs for roof structure repairs, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing or doubling a rafter | £315 – £630 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,250 – £3,150 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £840 – £2,600 | per roof |
Methods for roof structure repairs
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
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
Rules for roof structure repairs in England
In England, underpinning and other work that alters or strengthens a wall or foundation is building work under the Building Regulations (Part A, structure), so building control approves and inspects it. Like-for-like repairs often are not, and we tell you which applies before a price is agreed. Work to a party wall, or excavation close to a neighbour’s foundations, can also need a notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for roof structure repairs in March?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in March start from about £315 per rafter, including VAT, on East of England rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Can you survey a property in March?
Yes, March is covered, along with postcode districts PE15. We also cover nearby Wisbech and Ely.
Why do houses in Cambridgeshire crack?
Gault Clay underlies much of the Cambridge area and Oxford Clay the west of the county around Peterborough and Huntingdon, while the northern fens are peat and silt that can shrink as they dry. Both clay and peat ground can move with the seasons. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Do roof structure repairs need building control?
Usually yes, where the structure is strengthened or altered, or the covering becomes significantly heavier. In England and Wales that falls under Part A, in Scotland it generally needs a building warrant, and in Northern Ireland council building control approves it. We deal with building control where the work needs it.
Is a sagging roof ridge dangerous?
A slight, even dip in an old roof is often historic movement that stopped long ago. A sag that is getting worse, cracking timbers, walls pushing out at the eaves or recently removed struts should be checked soon. Avoid storing heavy items in the loft until then.
Related work in March
- Wall tie replacement
- Subsidence repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Gable end wall repairs
- Lintel replacement
Roof structure repairs near March
Every rafter, purlin and tie on the job in March is listed in the written quote, which becomes a fixed price in writing once the repair is specified.