Bournemouth · Dorset
Roof structure repairs in Bournemouth
Before buying or re-roofing a house in Bournemouth, 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£310per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BH1, BH2, BH4
- Population
- about 160,000
- Area
- Dorset
- Pricing region
- South West
How do local ground conditions affect roof structure repairs in Bournemouth?
Postcode districts BH1, BH2, BH4 cover Bournemouth, a Dorset town of about 160,000 people. Nearby places we cover include Christchurch (4 miles), Poole (5 miles) and Ferndown (6 miles).
Parts of Dorset have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. What you mostly find across Dorset: stone and brick villages, Victorian villas in Bournemouth, and inter-war and post-war semis.
Symptoms that point to roof structure repairs
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Bournemouth
Guide prices below are for homes in Bournemouth, on South West 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 | £310 – £620 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,250 – £3,100 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £825 – £2,600 | per roof |
Methods for roof structure repairs
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
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
From first photo to finished repair
Send photos
Photograph the roof from across the street, both slopes if you can, and the loft timbers with a torch. Include the eaves and any cracks just below them. From these we can usually tell sag from spread and whether an engineer is needed.
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.
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.
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 Bournemouth?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Bournemouth start from about £310 per rafter, including VAT, on South West 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 Bournemouth?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Bournemouth, including BH1, BH2, BH4, and from nearby places such as Christchurch and Poole. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in Dorset crack?
Dorset mixes chalk downs, Oxford and Kimmeridge Clays in the vales, and the sands and gravels of the Poole basin. Clay vales can shrink and swell, and parts of the coast are known for landslip. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can the roof be strengthened without removing the tiles?
In most cases, yes. Doubling rafters, adding struts and fitting ties can all be done from inside the loft with the coverings in place. Tiles usually only come off where timber near the eaves is badly decayed, or the roof is being re-covered anyway.
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.
Related work in Bournemouth
- Underpinning
- Crack stitching
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Bowing wall repairs
- Gable end wall repairs
Roof structure repairs near Bournemouth
Seen the ridge dip at your Bournemouth home? Photograph it from across the road, add a few loft shots, and we will tell you what it likely needs.