Chippenham · Wiltshire
Roof structure repairs in Chippenham
Before buying or re-roofing a house in Chippenham, 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£310per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- SN14, SN15
- Population
- about 36,000
- Area
- Wiltshire
- Pricing region
- South West
How do local ground conditions affect roof structure repairs in Chippenham?
Chippenham (SN14, SN15) has around 36,000 residents and sits in Wiltshire. Nearby, we also cover Calne (5 miles), Melksham (6 miles) and Devizes (9 miles).
Wiltshire has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. What you mostly find across Wiltshire: stone cottages, railway terraces in Swindon, and large post-war and new-build estates.
How we usually approach roof structure repairs
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
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
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.
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.
What to look for before calling about roof structure repairs
- Roof slope looking hollow or wavy between the ridge and the gutter
- Horizontal cracks in the wall just below the eaves or ceiling line
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
Roof structure repairs prices in Chippenham
Guide prices below are for homes in Chippenham, on South West rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing or doubling a rafter | £310 – £620 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,250 – £3,100 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £825 – £2,600 | 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 Chippenham
How much should I budget for roof structure repairs in Chippenham?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Chippenham start from about £310 per rafter, including VAT, on South West 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 Chippenham?
We do. Chippenham and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Calne and Melksham. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in Wiltshire crack?
Southern Wiltshire is chalk, while the north around Swindon, Chippenham and Trowbridge sits on Oxford and Kimmeridge Clays that are prone to seasonal movement near trees. Bath stone was mined underground around Corsham. 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.
Do roof structure repairs need building control?
Usually yes, where the structure is strengthened or altered, or the covering becomes significantly heavier. In England and Wales that falls under Part A, in Scotland it generally needs a building warrant, and in Northern Ireland council building control approves it. We deal with building control where the work needs it.
Related work in Chippenham
- Subsidence repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Gable end wall repairs
Roof structure repairs near Chippenham
Send photos of the roof from the street and the loft timbers at your Chippenham property for a free initial assessment and a no-obligation written quote.