We carry out upstand and kerb repairs in Swanley and across the BR8 area. The upstand, or kerb, is the raised frame the lantern sits on.

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
Why it happens
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.
Rotten timber
Untreated or wet timber kerbs rot from inside, so the lantern loses support and the seals open.
Roof lanterns in Swanley
Drier, sunnier parts of the UK are kinder to seals than the wet west, but strong sun ages sealant, gaskets and plastic end caps, and south- or west-facing lanterns can make rooms very warm. Solar control glass and an opening vent help.
Coastal wind drives rain hard against lanterns, so cappings and ridge seals on the seaward face take the most punishment.
We cover Swanley as part of Kent, about 17 miles from Maidstone.
Close by, we also cover Bexley (3 miles), Dartford (4 miles), Welling (5 miles).
Guide prices for upstand and kerb repairs in Swanley
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 Swanley: questions
Do you cover Swanley?
Yes. We cover Swanley, including the BR8 postcode area, as part of Kent. 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.
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.
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 Swanley
- Roof lantern leak repairs in Swanley
- Roof lantern resealing in Swanley
- Misted glass unit replacement in Swanley
- Cracked lantern glass replacement in Swanley
- Urgent leak make-safe in Swanley
- Roof lantern replacement in Swanley
Upstand and kerb repairs near Swanley
More about upstand and kerb repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Swanley