Lewes · East Sussex
Roof structure repairs in Lewes
Roofs in Lewes 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£335per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BN7
- Population
- about 17,000
- Area
- East Sussex
- Pricing region
- South East
What should you know about the ground under Lewes?
Postcode districts BN7 cover Lewes, a East Sussex town of about 17,000 people. Nearby places we cover include Peacehaven (6 miles), Brighton (7 miles) and Uckfield (8 miles).
East Sussex is one of the parts of the UK where clay soils are most likely to move with the seasons. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. What you mostly find across East Sussex: Regency and Victorian terraces on the coast, Wealden timber-framed houses, and inter-war bungalows and semis.
How we usually approach 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
What happens during roof structure repairs, step by step?
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.
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
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
- Horizontal cracks in the wall just below the eaves or ceiling line
Roof structure repairs prices in Lewes
These are guide prices for Lewes, using South East rates and including VAT. Your written quote follows photos or a survey, and is fixed once the repair is specified.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing or doubling a rafter | £335 – £670 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,350 – £3,350 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £895 – £2,800 | per roof |
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.
Questions about roof structure repairs in Lewes
What is the price of roof structure repairs in Lewes?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Lewes start from about £335 per rafter, including VAT, on South East 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 Lewes?
We do. Lewes and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Peacehaven and Brighton. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Does the ground around Lewes cause cracking?
Inland East Sussex is Weald Clay and Wealden sands, while the South Downs and the coast around Brighton and Eastbourne are chalk. The Weald Clay areas are prone to shrink-swell movement near trees. 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.
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.
More repairs we carry out in Lewes
- Brick arch repairs
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Structural crack repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
Roof structure repairs near Lewes
If struts were removed for a loft room in Lewes, send photos of the space and we will price putting a proper load path back.