Leicester · Leicestershire
Roof structure repairs in Leicester
Roofs in Leicester 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£295per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- LE1, LE3, LE4, LE5
- Population
- about 370,000
- Area
- Leicestershire
- Pricing region
- East Midlands
Why does the ground in Leicestershire matter for roof structure repairs?
Leicester (LE1, LE3, LE4, LE5) has around 370,000 residents and sits in Leicestershire. Nearby, we also cover Wigston (4 miles), Mountsorrel (5 miles) and Earl Shilton (9 miles).
Leicestershire has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others. Parts of Leicestershire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Leicestershire, most homes are Victorian terraces in Leicester and Loughborough, inter-war semis and large post-war estates.
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
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
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
- Horizontal cracks in the wall just below the eaves or ceiling line
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
- Roof slope looking hollow or wavy between the ridge and the gutter
Roof structure repairs prices in Leicester
The ranges below reflect typical East Midlands costs for roof structure repairs, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing or doubling a rafter | £295 – £590 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,200 – £2,950 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £785 – £2,450 | 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 Leicester
What is the price of roof structure repairs in Leicester?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Leicester start from about £295 per rafter, including VAT, on East Midlands 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 Leicester?
We do. Leicester and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Wigston and Mountsorrel. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Does the ground around Leicester cause cracking?
Leicestershire has Mercia Mudstone, Lias clay and glacial till across much of the county, with the Coalville and Swadlincote coalfield in the north-west. Clay soils near large trees can move with the seasons. 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 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.
More repairs we carry out in Leicester
- Retaining wall repairs
- Underpinning
- Subsidence repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Wall tie replacement
Roof structure repairs near Leicester
Get a free initial assessment of a sagging or spreading roof in Leicester from your photos or a call, and find out whether an engineer is needed.