Rochdale · Greater Manchester
Roof structure repairs in Rochdale
Before buying or re-roofing a house in Rochdale, 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£290per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- OL11, OL12, OL16
- Population
- about 98,000
- Area
- Greater Manchester
- Pricing region
- North West
Is Greater Manchester prone to ground movement?
Rochdale, Greater Manchester: about 98,000 residents across postcode districts OL11, OL12, OL16. We also take enquiries from nearby Middleton (5 miles), Oldham (6 miles) and Bury (6 miles).
Parts of Greater Manchester have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Parts of Greater Manchester lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Typical buildings in Greater Manchester: Red-brick terraces, mill-town stone terraces, inter-war semis and post-war estates.
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.
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.
Prop, strengthen and tie
The roof is propped where members are being changed, then rafters, purlins, struts and ties are repaired or added as specified. Coverings disturbed by the work are relaid, and building control inspects where the work needs it.
What to look for before calling about roof structure repairs
- Roof slope looking hollow or wavy between the ridge and the gutter
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
Roof structure repairs prices in Rochdale
For Rochdale 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 |
How we usually approach roof structure repairs
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
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
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 Rochdale
How much should I budget for roof structure repairs in Rochdale?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Rochdale start from about £290 per rafter, including VAT, on North 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 Rochdale?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Rochdale, including OL11, OL12, OL16, and from nearby places such as Middleton and Oldham. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in Greater Manchester crack?
Greater Manchester is mostly glacial till over sandstone and mudstone, with the Lancashire coalfield beneath much of Wigan, Bolton, Salford and parts of the east. Historic mine workings, made ground and old mill sites are common. 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 roof structure repairs need building control?
Usually yes, where the structure is strengthened or altered, or the covering becomes significantly heavier. In England and Wales that falls under Part A, in Scotland it generally needs a building warrant, and in Northern Ireland council building control approves it. We deal with building control where the work needs it.
Related work in Rochdale
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Gable end wall repairs
- Brick arch repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Floor joist repairs
Roof structure repairs near Rochdale
Send photos of the roof from the street and the loft timbers at your Rochdale property for a free initial assessment and a no-obligation written quote.