In Shirley, as everywhere, the upstand, or kerb, is the raised frame the lantern sits on. Send photos and we'll tell you what we think has failed.

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
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 Shirley and nearby
Lanterns in central England see a bit of everything — summer sun that ages seals and end caps, autumn leaf fall that blocks eaves, and frosty mornings that bring condensation. A yearly check covers all three.
In built-up areas, access is often the hardest part of the job — through the house, over a neighbour's roof, or with parking restrictions. We plan access in advance and price any tower or scaffold into the quote.
Shirley is around 6 miles from Birmingham, and both are within our West Midlands coverage.
We also cover nearby Solihull (2 miles), Birmingham (6 miles), Smethwick (8 miles).
How much should it cost?
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 Shirley: questions
Do you cover Shirley?
Yes. We cover Shirley, including the B90 postcode area, as part of West Midlands. 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 Shirley?
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.
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 Shirley
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- Misted glass unit replacement in Shirley
- Cracked lantern glass replacement in Shirley
- Slipped glass panel repairs in Shirley
- Leak investigation and inspection in Shirley
- Urgent leak make-safe in Shirley
Upstand and kerb repairs near Shirley
More about upstand and kerb repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Shirley