Bonnyrigg · Edinburgh and the Lothians
Roof structure repairs in Bonnyrigg
Roofs in Bonnyrigg 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
- EH18, EH19, EH24
- Population
- about 18,000
- Area
- Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Pricing region
- Scotland
Why does the ground in Edinburgh and the Lothians matter for roof structure repairs?
With roughly 18,000 people, Bonnyrigg spans postcode districts EH18, EH19, EH24 in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Nearby, we also cover Mayfield (3 miles), Musselburgh (5 miles) and Penicuik (6 miles).
Clay shrinkage is less of a concern in Edinburgh and the Lothians, so other causes such as drains, poor footings or older walls are checked first. Parts of Edinburgh and the Lothians lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Edinburgh and the Lothians, most homes are sandstone tenements and Georgian terraces, miners' rows, bungalows and post-war estates.
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
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
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
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
- Horizontal cracks in the wall just below the eaves or ceiling line
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Bonnyrigg
These are guide prices for Bonnyrigg, using Scotland 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 | £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 |
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 Bonnyrigg?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Bonnyrigg 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 Bonnyrigg?
Yes, Bonnyrigg is covered, along with postcode districts EH18, EH19, EH24. We also cover nearby Mayfield and Musselburgh.
Does the ground around Bonnyrigg cause cracking?
Edinburgh is volcanic and sedimentary rock with glacial till, while the Midlothian and East Lothian coalfields and oil-shale workings in West Lothian have left recorded mine workings and bings. 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.
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.
More repairs we carry out in Bonnyrigg
- Lintel replacement
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Mining subsidence repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
Roof structure repairs near Bonnyrigg
Send photos of the roof from the street and the loft timbers at your Bonnyrigg property for a free initial assessment and a no-obligation written quote.