The upstand, or kerb, is the raised frame the lantern sits on. Send photos from Penzance (TR18) and we'll tell you which it is — with the price agreed in writing before any work.
Is it time for upstand and kerb repairs?
- Soft or spongy timber at the base of the lantern
- Roof membrane not lapped up the kerb, or peeling off it
- Cold, damp or mouldy lining around the opening
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.
Membrane not dressed up
The flat roof covering should run up the kerb and be trimmed or flashed. If it stops short, water gets behind it.
About Penzance and the TR18 area
Western and upland parts of the UK get more rain and more wind-driven rain than the east, and that's what finds weak cappings and blocked eaves first. Lanterns here benefit from a check of the bars on the most exposed face and a clear eaves channel before winter.
Coastal wind drives rain hard against lanterns, so cappings and ridge seals on the seaward face take the most punishment.
From Truro to Penzance is roughly 24 miles — all part of the Cornwall area we cover.
Close by, we also cover Camborne (12 miles), Redruth (16 miles), Falmouth (21 miles).
What should you expect to pay in Penzance?
Guide price for upstand and kerb repairs: £395–£1,295 ex VAT (£474–£1,554 inc 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 Penzance: 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 Penzance do you cover?
As well as Penzance, we cover nearby Camborne, Redruth, Falmouth, Truro and the rest of Cornwall.
How much does an upstand repair cost?
Typically £395–£1,295 ex VAT depending on size, timber condition and the roof covering. The fixed price is confirmed in writing before work starts.
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 Penzance
- Misted glass unit replacement in Penzance
- Cracked lantern glass replacement in Penzance
- Slipped glass panel repairs in Penzance
- Condensation diagnosis and fixes in Penzance
- Timber roof lantern repairs in Penzance
- Cleaning and maintenance in Penzance
Upstand and kerb repairs near Penzance
More about upstand and kerb repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Penzance