If your flat roof in Thorpe St Andrew needs replacing or repairing, choosing the right roofer before you agree to anything is the single most important decision you will make.
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
A flat roof is not truly flat - it needs a slight fall, typically at least 1:80 but ideally 1:40, so water drains away rather than sitting on the surface. When that fall is wrong, or the membrane fails, water finds a way in. Extensions, garages, and outbuildings across Thorpe St Andrew and the wider Norwich area are particularly prone to this because older felt systems installed decades ago were never built to last much beyond 10-15 years.
Modern flat roofing uses either EPDM rubber membrane or torch-on mineral felt systems. EPDM is a single-ply rubber membrane that handles expansion and contraction well. Torch-on felt is a reinforced bitumen system applied in layers and still widely used on extensions and garage roofs. Both materials outperform traditional built-up felt when installed correctly.
There are many roofing companies operating in and around Norwich. That choice is useful, but it also means there is variation in quality. The contractor you choose will determine how long your new roof performs, so it pays to do this properly before anyone lifts a tile or unrolls a membrane.
Start by getting quotes from at least three contractors. A written, itemised quote is not optional - it is how you compare like for like. If a quote simply says "supply and fit flat roof" with a single price, ask for a breakdown. You want to know what system they are proposing, what thickness and specification, how they plan to handle the edge details and flashings, and what they will do with the existing roof deck.
These are the questions worth asking any contractor before you sign anything or hand over a deposit:
A common problem is contractors offering a low price by skipping preparation - laying new felt directly over old, damp felt, or ignoring soft decking boards. This saves time on the day but guarantees an early failure. Ask specifically whether the old roof will be stripped back before the new system is installed.
Be wary of quotes that arrive without a site visit. A flat roof needs to be measured, the falls assessed, and the existing structure checked before anyone can give you an accurate price. A figure quoted over the phone without seeing the roof is guesswork.
Also be cautious if a contractor cannot tell you the specific product or system they are planning to use. A professional will know the manufacturer's name, the membrane specification, and how the system should be installed. Vague answers about materials are a sign of limited experience with the product.
Flat roofing in the Norfolk area typically costs between £70 and £120 per square metre for a properly installed EPDM or torch-on system, including stripping the old roof, replacing any damaged decking, forming the falls, and finishing the edges with lead flashing. A straightforward garage roof of around 20 square metres might come in between £1,400 and £2,400 depending on the system, the deck condition, and how complex the edge details are.
Prices below that range are worth questioning. They may reflect a contractor skipping preparation, using thinner or lower-quality materials, or not including the cost of decking repairs. Get itemised quotes so you can see where the money is going.
Where your flat roof meets a wall, chimney, or parapet, the joint is sealed with lead flashing. This is skilled work - lead needs to be dressed into the mortar joint, stepped correctly on chimney stacks, and fixed without gaps. Poorly formed flashings are one of the most common sources of flat roof leaks, even when the main membrane is sound. When you are reviewing quotes, check that lead flashing work is specifically included and described, not just assumed.
A flat roof installed without proper falls will pool water. Standing water accelerates the breakdown of any membrane over time and adds load to the structure. A membrane laid over damp or uneven decking will bubble, split, and let water in within a few years. Fixing a failed flat roof that was only recently installed means paying again - for stripping, decking repairs, and a new membrane. The cost of choosing carefully upfront is far lower than the cost of doing it twice.
Flat roofing is commonly used on rear extensions and detached garages. Extensions attached to the house carry a higher consequence if they fail - a leak above a kitchen or bedroom causes interior damage quickly. Garage roofs are often lower priority in homeowners' minds, but a leaking garage roof will rot the timber structure over time and eventually require a full structural repair alongside the roofing work.
For extensions, the junction between the flat roof and the house wall or window frame needs particular attention. Ask your contractor how they handle this detail - it should be watertight as a primary seal, not relying on mastic or sealant alone as a fix.
Before you accept a quote, ask for a proper survey of your existing roof. A contractor who inspects the deck, checks the fall, looks at the flashings, and gives you a written report of what they found is showing you how they work. That level of care at the survey stage is a reasonable sign of how they will approach the job itself. Call us to book a flat roof survey in Thorpe St Andrew and we will tell you exactly what your roof needs before any work is agreed.
No obligation · We'll call you to arrange a free visit
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
