Shrewsbury · Shropshire
Roof structure repairs in Shrewsbury
A dipping ridge or a wavy roof slope in Shrewsbury is usually a timber problem, not a tile problem. We look at the rafters, purlins, struts and ties from the loft, and at the wall heads from outside, before suggesting how to strengthen it.
Guide price from£300per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- SY1, SY2, SY3
- Population
- about 77,000
- Area
- Shropshire
- Pricing region
- West Midlands
What should you know about the ground under Shrewsbury?
Postcode districts SY1, SY2, SY3 cover Shrewsbury, a Shropshire town of about 77,000 people. Nearby places we cover include Telford (13 miles) and Oswestry (16 miles).
Parts of Shropshire have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Parts of Shropshire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. What you mostly find across Shropshire: timber-framed and brick town houses, industrial terraces around Telford, and new-town estates.
Repair options we may recommend
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 to expect when we carry out roof structure repairs
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.
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.
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.
Is it time for roof structure repairs? Common signs
- Top of an outside wall leaning out at eaves level
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
What should you budget for roof structure repairs in Shrewsbury?
These are guide prices for Shrewsbury, using West Midlands rates and including VAT. Your written quote follows photos or a survey, and is fixed once the repair is specified.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing or doubling a rafter | £300 – £600 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,200 – £3,000 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £800 – £2,500 | 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.
Your roof structure repairs questions
How much will roof structure repairs cost in Shrewsbury?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Shrewsbury start from about £300 per rafter, including VAT, on West Midlands rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Shrewsbury?
We do. Shrewsbury and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Telford and Oswestry. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Is the ground in Shropshire prone to subsidence?
Shropshire has very varied rock, from Mercia Mudstone on the north Shropshire plain to the Coalbrookdale coalfield under Telford, where historic shallow coal, clay and ironstone workings are widespread. 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.
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.
Other structural repairs in Shrewsbury
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Subsidence repairs
- Floor joist repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
Roof structure repairs near Shrewsbury
Seen the ridge dip at your Shrewsbury home? Photograph it from across the road, add a few loft shots, and we will tell you what it likely needs.