We carry out upstand and kerb repairs in Chelmsford and across the CM1 area. The upstand, or kerb, is the raised frame the lantern sits on.

What you might be seeing
- 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.
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 Chelmsford and the CM1 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.
Neighbouring places we cover include Billericay (8 miles), Witham (9 miles), Maldon (9 miles).
Guide prices for upstand and kerb repairs in Chelmsford
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?
In England, like-for-like repairs to a roof lantern don't usually involve building control. A full replacement or a bigger opening is controlled under the Building Regulations 2010, so we set out the route in writing first. 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 Chelmsford: 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 Chelmsford do you cover?
As well as Chelmsford, we cover nearby Billericay, Witham, Maldon, Wickford and the rest of Essex.
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 Chelmsford
- Glazing bar and capping repairs in Chelmsford
- Eaves beam and gutter repairs in Chelmsford
- Flat roof junction and flashing repairs in Chelmsford
- Opening vent and actuator repairs in Chelmsford
- Roof lantern respraying in Chelmsford
- Urgent leak make-safe in Chelmsford
Upstand and kerb repairs near Chelmsford
More about upstand and kerb repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Chelmsford