Melton Mowbray · Leicestershire
Roof structure repairs in Melton Mowbray
Many older roofs, in Melton Mowbray and across Leicestershire alike, were built with slim purlins and few ties. A little historic movement is normal, so we check whether the roof is still moving before recommending how far the strengthening needs to go.
Guide price from£295per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- LE13, LE14
- Population
- about 28,000
- Area
- Leicestershire
- Pricing region
- East Midlands
Is Leicestershire prone to ground movement?
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire: about 28,000 residents across postcode districts LE13, LE14. Nearby, we also cover Oakham (9 miles), Mountsorrel (12 miles) and Loughborough (13 miles).
Parts of Leicestershire have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Parts of Leicestershire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Typical buildings in Leicestershire: Victorian terraces in Leicester and Loughborough, inter-war semis and large post-war estates.
Symptoms that point to roof structure repairs
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
- Top of an outside wall leaning out at eaves level
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Melton Mowbray
For Melton Mowbray we use East Midlands 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 | £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 |
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
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
From first photo to finished repair
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
How much will roof structure repairs cost in Melton Mowbray?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Melton Mowbray 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 cover Melton Mowbray?
We do. Melton Mowbray and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Oakham and Mountsorrel. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Is the ground in Leicestershire prone to subsidence?
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.
What is roof spread?
Roof spread is when the feet of the rafters move outward because nothing is tying them together firmly enough. As they spread, the ridge drops and the tops of the walls are pushed out, often with a horizontal crack below the eaves. It is fixed by adding ties, collars or straps, sometimes with rebuilding.
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.
Other structural repairs in Melton Mowbray
- Brick arch repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Bowing wall repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
Roof structure repairs near Melton Mowbray
Every rafter, purlin and tie on the job in Melton Mowbray is listed in the written quote, which becomes a fixed price in writing once the repair is specified.