The upstand, or kerb, is the raised frame the lantern sits on. Send photos from Ely (CB7) and we'll tell you which it is — with the price agreed in writing before any work.
What you might be seeing
- Soft or spongy timber at the base of the lantern
- Ponding water against the kerb after rain
- Cold, damp or mouldy lining around the opening
What usually causes it?
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.
Covering Ely and nearby
Even in drier areas, one heavy downpour with blocked eaves is enough to overflow a lantern indoors. Clearing the eaves channel is the simplest prevention there is.
From Cambridge to Ely is roughly 15 miles — all part of the Cambridgeshire area we cover.
If you're just outside Ely, we also cover Newmarket (12 miles), March (13 miles), Cambridge (15 miles).
How much should it cost?
Most upstand and kerb repairs jobs come in between £395 and £1,295 ex VAT (£474–£1,554 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.
Upstand and kerb repairs in Ely: questions
Do you cover Ely?
Yes. We cover Ely, including the CB7 postcode area, as part of Cambridgeshire. Send photos by WhatsApp or the form for a free guide price, and we'll confirm the fixed price in writing before any work starts.
Can you repair a lantern someone else installed in Ely?
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.
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 Ely
- Misted glass unit replacement in Ely
- Condensation diagnosis and fixes in Ely
- Aluminium roof lantern repairs in Ely
- Flat rooflight and skylight repairs in Ely
- Urgent leak make-safe in Ely
- Roof lantern replacement in Ely
Upstand and kerb repairs near Ely
More about upstand and kerb repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Ely