Scunthorpe · Lincolnshire
Roof structure repairs in Scunthorpe
Many older roofs, in Scunthorpe and across Lincolnshire 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
- DN15, DN16, DN17
- Population
- about 82,000
- Area
- Lincolnshire
- Pricing region
- East Midlands
Is Lincolnshire prone to ground movement?
Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire: about 82,000 residents across postcode districts DN15, DN16, DN17. If you are just outside Scunthorpe, we also cover Thorne (13 miles), Gainsborough (14 miles) and Doncaster (20 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Lincolnshire. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Housing stock in Lincolnshire: Victorian terraces in Lincoln and Grimsby, fenland brick houses, seaside bungalows and post-war estates.
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
What happens during roof structure repairs, step by step?
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.
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
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
Roof structure repairs prices in Scunthorpe
For Scunthorpe 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 |
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 Scunthorpe
How much will roof structure repairs cost in Scunthorpe?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Scunthorpe 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 Scunthorpe?
We do. Scunthorpe and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Thorne and Gainsborough. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Is the ground in Lincolnshire prone to subsidence?
Lincolnshire has Lias, Oxford and Kimmeridge clays on the vales, chalk on the Wolds and soft silts and peat in the fens around Boston and Spalding. Fen ground and clay can both settle or shrink in dry years. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
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.
Other structural repairs in Scunthorpe
- Crack stitching
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Bowing wall repairs
- Lintel replacement
- Structural crack repairs
Roof structure repairs near Scunthorpe
Seen the ridge dip at your Scunthorpe home? Photograph it from across the road, add a few loft shots, and we will tell you what it likely needs.