In 2026 a typical UK roof lantern leak repair costs £195–£595 ex VAT and a full reseal £245–£495 ex VAT per lantern as a guide, while kerb rebuilds and timber frame repairs cost more. The fixed price depends on the fault, the lantern's size and material, the glass and the access needed, and is confirmed in writing before any work starts.
How much does a typical roof lantern repair cost?
Most everyday roof lantern repairs, such as cappings, ridge seals, drainage and leak repairs, have guide prices that start from £165 and top out at £595 ex VAT, depending on which part has failed. The table below shows 2026 guide prices for the most common repairs. Every figure is a guide, ex VAT, and the fixed price is confirmed in writing before any work starts.
| Repair | Guide price (ex VAT) | Priced |
|---|---|---|
| Leak repair (reseal, gasket or capping fix) | £195–£595 | per lantern |
| Full reseal | £245–£495 | per lantern |
| Glazing bar cappings and gaskets | £165–£395 | per lantern |
| Ridge and hip repair | £195–£445 | per lantern |
| Eaves beam and gutter repair | £175–£395 | per lantern |
| Misted glass unit replacement | £245–£595 | per glass unit |
| Cracked glass replacement | £295–£795 | per glass unit |
| Slipped glass panel reset | £195–£445 | per panel |
| Electric vent repair | £195–£545 | per vent |
| Flat-roof junction repair | £245–£695 | per lantern |
| Upstand or kerb repair | £395–£1,295 | per lantern |
| Maintenance visit | £95–£245 | per visit |
The full list, including timber, orangery and commercial work, is on our prices page.
What makes a roof lantern repair cost more?
Five things move a price from the bottom of a range towards the top:
- Size – a long rectangular lantern has more bars, more cappings and more metres of sealant than a small square one.
- Material – timber repairs involve joinery and redecoration, so they take longer than swapping uPVC caps.
- Glass specification – laminated, solar control and self-cleaning units cost more to make than basic double glazing.
- Number of faults – a leak caused by one lifted capping is quicker than a lantern that needs gaskets on every bar.
- Access – height, a fragile roof or no safe ladder position all add cost.
How much does access add to the price?
Most single-storey lanterns can be reached safely from a ladder and the flat roof, so there's nothing extra to pay. Where that isn't safe, for example on a two-storey extension, over a conservatory or on a roof that can't bear foot traffic, a tower or scaffold is needed. As a guide that adds £245–£895 ex VAT, depending on height and how many days it's needed. We'll tell you at the photo stage if we think access equipment is likely.
Do you charge to diagnose a leak?
Looking at your photos and giving a guide price is free. A site visit to diagnose a leak is charged, because it takes an engineer's time and sometimes a water test. A leak investigation is £145–£295 ex VAT per visit as a guide, including inspection, water testing where needed and a written report. If the cause is simple, the repair can often be priced on the spot.
How does glass replacement compare with resealing?
Glass is priced per unit, so the cost depends on how many units have failed. Replacing one misted glass unit typically costs £245–£595 ex VAT, while a cracked unit is £295–£795 ex VAT because it's usually needed sooner and often specified with a laminated inner pane. A full reseal covers the whole lantern for £245–£495 ex VAT. If you're replacing units anyway, upgrading to solar control glass is £345–£895 ex VAT per unit as a guide.
When does replacement make more financial sense?
A new roof lantern, supplied and fitted, typically costs £1,995–£4,995 ex VAT for standard sizes. Repair is almost always cheaper when the frame is sound. Replacement starts to make sense when several glass units have failed at once, the frame is rotten or distorted, or the kerb needs rebuilding anyway (upstand and kerb repair alone is £395–£1,295 ex VAT). Our guide to repairing or replacing a roof lantern covers the decision in detail.
What is included in a repair price?
A fixed repair price covers the labour, the materials named in the quote and taking away the old sealant, gaskets or glass. It will state whether access equipment is included, which faults are being fixed and which parts are being replaced. If we find something extra once the cappings are off, such as soft timber under a seal or a cracked unit that wasn't visible from below, we stop, show you photos and price it separately. Nothing is added without your agreement.
How do you get a fixed price?
You get a fixed price by sending photos first, then confirming the cause, with a visit only where one is needed.
- Send photos of the lantern inside and out, plus where any water appears, by WhatsApp or our form.
- We look at them and give you a guide price, free of charge. You can also get a range straight away from our guide-price tool.
- If we need to see it, we arrange a diagnostic visit.
- You receive a fixed price in writing before any work starts. VAT at 20% is added where it applies.
Quick answers
Are your roof lantern repair prices inclusive of VAT?
No. Guide prices are shown ex VAT, and VAT at 20% is added where it applies. Your written fixed price shows the VAT separately.
Why can't you give an exact price over the phone?
The same symptom can have very different causes, from one lifted capping to a rotten kerb. Photos usually narrow it down to a guide price, and the fixed price follows once the cause is confirmed.
Is it cheaper to fix several problems on one visit?
Usually, yes. Access, travel and setting up are shared, so combining a reseal with a glass unit swap or a drainage clear costs less than booking each separately.
Written by the Roof Lantern Repairs team. Last updated 19 October 2026.