We carry out timber roof lantern repairs in Colchester and across the CO1 area. Timber roof lanterns are beautiful and repairable, but they need sound paint, sound beads and dry timber.

Signs you need timber roof lantern repairs
- Flaking or blistered paint on bars or eaves
- Soft timber when pressed
- Putty or beads cracking and lifting
Common causes we find
Paint failure
Once the paint film breaks, water gets into the end grain and joints.
Water trapped by beads
Glazing beads and putty can trap water against the timber if their seals fail.
About Colchester and the CO1 area
Sun and UV do more damage than rain on many lanterns here: brittle ridge caps, chalky finishes and hardened gaskets. They're cheap to replace before they let water in.
We cover Colchester as part of Essex, about 21 miles from Chelmsford.
If you're just outside Colchester, we also cover Sudbury (13 miles), Clacton-on-Sea (13 miles), Witham (13 miles).
How much should it cost?
Most timber roof lantern repairs jobs come in between £395 and £1,995 ex VAT (£474–£2,394 including VAT), per lantern. Towers or scaffold, where needed, are priced into the quote. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing before any work starts.
Do you need permission in England?
Most lantern repairs in England need no approval at all. Where a job turns into a replacement, the Building Regulations 2010 apply and we confirm how the work will be signed off before we start. Listed buildings need listed building consent from the local council for alterations, and conservation areas can have extra controls; like-for-like repairs are treated differently from changes, so check with the council's conservation officer first.
How does it work?
- Send photosWhatsApp or upload a few photos and tell us when it leaks.
- Guide priceWe reply with a guide price and whether a visit is needed.
- Fixed price in writingYou approve the price and the date before anything starts.
- Repair and testWe fix what's failed, water-test where it matters, and send photos.
Timber roof lantern repairs in Colchester: questions
Do you need to visit to price timber roof lantern repairs?
Not always. Clear photos are often enough for a guide price. Where the cause isn't obvious, a visit to inspect and water-test is charged from £145 ex VAT, confirmed before we come.
Can you repair a lantern someone else installed in Colchester?
Yes. We repair lanterns whoever fitted them. If yours is still under the installer's warranty, contact them first so you don't affect it.
Do you work on listed buildings?
Yes. Listed building consent may be needed for changes; like-for-like repair is generally treated differently from alteration, but check with your council's conservation officer before work.
How often does a timber lantern need painting?
It depends on exposure and paint system; many need redecorating every five to eight years.
Other lantern repairs in Colchester
- Flat roof junction and flashing repairs in Colchester
- Cracked lantern glass replacement in Colchester
- Aluminium roof lantern repairs in Colchester
- Opening vent and actuator repairs in Colchester
- Roof lantern respraying in Colchester
- Cleaning and maintenance in Colchester
Timber roof lantern repairs near Colchester
More about timber roof lantern repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Colchester