Cumbria · England
Roof structure repairs in Cumbria
Looking for roof structure repairs in Cumbria? Send us photos for a free initial view. Shrinkable clay is less common in Cumbria than in south-east England, so we look at the ground, drains and nearby trees before recommending anything.
Guide price from£290per rafter inc VAT
- Area
- Cumbria
- Pricing region
- North West
- Ground
- Mostly firmer ground
- Towns listed
- 6
What should you know about the ground under Cumbria?
Cumbria's ground is largely hard rock and glacial deposits, with the West Cumberland coalfield around Whitehaven and Workington where historic coal workings are recorded. Stone walls and older lime mortars feature in much of the housing.
Parts of Cumbria lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Cumbria, most homes are stone-built terraces and farmhouses, sandstone town houses in Carlisle and post-war estates.
How we usually approach 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
Tying in roof spread
New ties, collars or steel straps connect opposite rafters, or fix the rafter feet and wall plate firmly to the ceiling joists, so the outward thrust is resisted. Leaning wall heads are strapped back to the roof, and a badly spread roof may need partly rebuilding first.
Best for: Walls pushed out at eaves level by spreading rafters
Purlin and strut strengthening
Undersized purlins are strengthened with extra timber or replaced, and new struts are taken down to a load-bearing wall. Where there is no suitable wall, an engineer designs the load path. Temporary props hold the roof while members are changed.
Best for: Sagging slopes, slim purlins and struts removed from the loft
What happens during roof structure repairs, step by step?
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.
What to look for before calling about roof structure repairs
- Roof slope looking hollow or wavy between the ridge and the gutter
- Top of an outside wall leaning out at eaves level
- Horizontal cracks in the wall just below the eaves or ceiling line
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
Roof structure repairs prices in Cumbria
For Cumbria we use North West rates. Treat the table as a budget guide, inc VAT; the price you pay is the one on your written quote.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing or doubling a rafter | £290 – £575 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,150 – £2,900 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £770 – £2,400 | per roof |
Do you need approval 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.
Find roof structure repairs in your Cumbria town
Questions about roof structure repairs in Cumbria
Why do houses in Cumbria crack?
Cumbria's ground is largely hard rock and glacial deposits, with the West Cumberland coalfield around Whitehaven and Workington where historic coal workings are recorded. Stone walls and older lime mortars feature in much of the housing. Parts of Cumbria lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will roof structure repairs cost in Cumbria?
On North West rates, roof structure repairs starts from about £290 per rafter, including VAT. The written price depends on the extent of the damage, access and whether an engineer or building control is needed.
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.
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.
Do I need a structural engineer for roof repairs?
For like-for-like repairs to a few rafters, often not. Where purlins, struts or ties are being redesigned, the covering is getting heavier or the walls are being pushed out, you usually do. Where the repair needs an engineer’s design or sign-off, an independent chartered structural engineer is appointed, and we can arrange this.