Telford · Shropshire
Roof structure repairs in Telford
Before buying or re-roofing a house in Telford, 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£300per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- TF4
- Population
- about 160,000
- Area
- Shropshire
- Pricing region
- West Midlands
Why does the ground in Shropshire matter for roof structure repairs?
Postcode districts TF4 cover Telford, a Shropshire town of about 160,000 people. Neighbouring towns we cover: Shrewsbury (13 miles), Wolverhampton (15 miles) and Stafford (17 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Shropshire. Parts of Shropshire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Shropshire, most homes are timber-framed and brick town houses, industrial terraces around Telford, and new-town 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
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?
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.
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.
What to look for before calling about roof structure repairs
- Roof slope looking hollow or wavy between the ridge and the gutter
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
Roof structure repairs prices in Telford
For Telford we use West 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 | £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.
Questions about roof structure repairs in Telford
How much should I budget for roof structure repairs in Telford?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Telford 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.
Can you survey a property in Telford?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Telford, including TF4, and from nearby places such as Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in Shropshire crack?
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.
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.
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.
Related work in Telford
- Crack stitching
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Lintel replacement
Roof structure repairs near Telford
Get a free initial assessment of a sagging or spreading roof in Telford from your photos or a call, and find out whether an engineer is needed.