Doncaster · South Yorkshire
Roof structure repairs in Doncaster
Many older roofs, in Doncaster and across South Yorkshire 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£285per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- DN1, DN2, DN4
- Population
- about 110,000
- Area
- South Yorkshire
- Pricing region
- Yorkshire and the Humber
Why does the ground in South Yorkshire matter for roof structure repairs?
Doncaster, South Yorkshire: about 110,000 residents across postcode districts DN1, DN2, DN4. Nearby, we also cover Adwick-le-Street (4 miles), Conisbrough (5 miles) and Mexborough (7 miles).
South Yorkshire has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of South Yorkshire, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. What you mostly find across South Yorkshire: brick and stone terraces, colliery housing, inter-war council estates and post-war semis.
What to look for before calling about roof structure repairs
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
- Top of an outside wall leaning out at eaves level
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
Roof structure repairs prices in Doncaster
Prices in Doncaster are worked out on Yorkshire and the Humber rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing or doubling a rafter | £285 – £570 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,150 – £2,850 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £760 – £2,400 | per roof |
How we usually approach roof structure repairs
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
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
What happens during roof structure repairs, step by step?
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.
Questions about roof structure repairs in Doncaster
How much will roof structure repairs cost in Doncaster?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Doncaster start from about £285 per rafter, including VAT, on Yorkshire and the Humber rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Doncaster?
Yes, Doncaster is covered, along with postcode districts DN1, DN2, DN4. We also cover nearby Adwick-le-Street and Conisbrough.
Is the ground in South Yorkshire prone to subsidence?
South Yorkshire lies largely on the Coal Measures, with a long history of shallow and deep mining around Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster. Sheffield's hillside sites add retaining walls and steep ground to the mix. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can the roof be strengthened without removing the tiles?
In most cases, yes. Doubling rafters, adding struts and fitting ties can all be done from inside the loft with the coverings in place. Tiles usually only come off where timber near the eaves is badly decayed, or the roof is being re-covered anyway.
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.
Other structural repairs in Doncaster
- Chimney stack repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Retaining wall repairs
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
Roof structure repairs near Doncaster
Every rafter, purlin and tie on the job in Doncaster is listed in the written quote, which becomes a fixed price in writing once the repair is specified.