The upstand, or kerb, is the raised frame the lantern sits on. Send photos from Cambridge (CB1) and we'll tell you which it is — with the price agreed in writing before any work.
Signs you need upstand and kerb repairs
- Water appearing below the lantern rather than from the glass
- Soft or spongy timber at the base of the lantern
- Roof membrane not lapped up the kerb, or peeling off it
Common causes we find
Kerb too low
If the kerb doesn't rise enough above the finished roof, water sits against the joint during heavy rain.
Rotten timber
Untreated or wet timber kerbs rot from inside, so the lantern loses support and the seals open.
Roof lanterns in Cambridge
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.
If you're just outside Cambridge, we also cover Newmarket (13 miles), Ely (15 miles), Huntingdon (16 miles).
What should you expect to pay in Cambridge?
Typical range: £395–£1,295 ex VAT, which is £474–£1,554 with 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?
Straightforward repairs — resealing, gaskets, cappings, eaves and like-for-like parts — don't normally need building regulations approval in England. Replacing the whole lantern or enlarging the opening is different and falls under the Building Regulations 2010; we confirm in writing which route applies before any replacement. 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.
Upstand and kerb repairs in Cambridge: questions
Do you need to visit to price upstand and kerb 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.
Which places near Cambridge do you cover?
As well as Cambridge, we cover nearby Newmarket, Ely, Huntingdon, Haverhill and the rest of Cambridgeshire.
Can you add insulation to the kerb?
Yes. Insulated kerbs reduce cold bridging and help with condensation around the opening.
Will my ceiling need repairing?
If water has soaked the lining it may need making good after the leak is fixed; we can advise, but internal decorating isn't included unless quoted.
Other lantern repairs in Cambridge
- Roof lantern resealing in Cambridge
- Cracked lantern glass replacement in Cambridge
- Slipped glass panel repairs in Cambridge
- Cleaning and maintenance in Cambridge
- Urgent leak make-safe in Cambridge
- Roof lantern replacement in Cambridge
Upstand and kerb repairs near Cambridge
More about upstand and kerb repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Cambridge