Broxburn · Edinburgh and the Lothians
Roof structure repairs in Broxburn
If the top of a wall at your Broxburn property seems to lean out at the eaves, the roof may be spreading. Ties, collars and straps can usually hold it back, sometimes with an engineer’s design for the new load path.
Guide price from£285per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- EH52
- Population
- about 16,000
- Area
- Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Pricing region
- Scotland
Why does the ground in Edinburgh and the Lothians matter for roof structure repairs?
Broxburn, Edinburgh and the Lothians: about 16,000 residents across postcode districts EH52. Neighbouring towns we cover: Livingston (3 miles), Linlithgow (6 miles) and Bathgate (7 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in Edinburgh and the Lothians than in south-east England. 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. Housing stock in Edinburgh and the Lothians: Sandstone tenements and Georgian terraces, miners' rows, bungalows and post-war estates.
How much will roof structure repairs cost in Broxburn?
These are guide prices for Broxburn, 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 |
Which repair method suits a home in Broxburn?
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
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 when we carry out roof structure repairs in Broxburn?
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.
Signs you may need roof structure repairs
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
- Top of an outside wall leaning out at eaves level
- Roof slope looking hollow or wavy between the ridge and the gutter
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.
Roof structure repairs in Broxburn: questions and answers
How much should I budget for roof structure repairs in Broxburn?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Broxburn 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.
Can you survey a property in Broxburn?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Broxburn, including EH52, and from nearby places such as Livingston and Linlithgow. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in Edinburgh and the Lothians crack?
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.
Why are there cracks just below the eaves?
A horizontal crack just below the eaves, along the front or back wall, is a common sign of roof spread. The rafters push the top of the wall outward and the masonry cracks where it hinges. Corroded wall ties can cause similar cracks, so the cause needs checking.
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 Broxburn
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Floor joist repairs
- Crack stitching
- Retaining wall repairs
- Concrete repairs
Roof structure repairs near Broxburn
If struts were removed for a loft room in Broxburn, send photos of the space and we will price putting a proper load path back.