Hexham · Northumberland
Roof structure repairs in Hexham
Before buying or re-roofing a house in Hexham, 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£275per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- NE46
- Population
- about 12,000
- Area
- Northumberland
- Pricing region
- North East
What should you know about the ground under Hexham?
Hexham is in Northumberland and takes in postcode districts NE46. About 12,000 people live there. Nearby places we cover include Consett (13 miles), Blaydon-on-Tyne (15 miles) and Whickham (17 miles).
Northumberland has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others. Parts of Northumberland lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Northumberland, most homes are colliery terraces, stone farmhouses and villages, and post-war estates.
Roof structure repairs prices in Hexham
For Hexham we use North East 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 | £275 – £550 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,100 – £2,750 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £735 – £2,300 | 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
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?
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
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
- Top of an outside wall leaning out at eaves level
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 Hexham
How much should I budget for roof structure repairs in Hexham?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Hexham start from about £275 per rafter, including VAT, on North East 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 Hexham?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Hexham, including NE46, and from nearby places such as Consett and Blaydon-on-Tyne. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in Northumberland crack?
South-east Northumberland around Blyth, Ashington and Cramlington lies on the Northumberland coalfield, worked extensively in the past, under a cover of glacial clay. The north and west are hard rock and moorland. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Is a sagging roof ridge dangerous?
A slight, even dip in an old roof is often historic movement that stopped long ago. A sag that is getting worse, cracking timbers, walls pushing out at the eaves or recently removed struts should be checked soon. Avoid storing heavy items in the loft until then.
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.
Related work in Hexham
- Lintel replacement
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Bowing wall repairs
Roof structure repairs near Hexham
Get a free initial assessment of a sagging or spreading roof in Hexham from your photos or a call, and find out whether an engineer is needed.