In Lerwick, as everywhere, when a lantern is letting in a lot of water or the glass is broken, the first job is to stop more damage. Send photos and we'll tell you what we think has failed.

What you might be seeing
- Water pouring in during a storm
- Broken or missing glass
- Water near light fittings or sockets
What usually causes it?
Storm damage
High winds can lift cappings and vents.
Sudden seal failure
A failing joint can let go in heavy rain.
About Lerwick and the ZE1 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.
Near the coast, salt in the air is hard on aluminium finishes and fixings; washing the frame occasionally and touching in chips keeps corrosion away.
We cover Lerwick by arrangement: island work is planned around ferry access, and any travel or access costs are set out in your written quote before you commit.
How much should it cost?
Most urgent leak make-safe jobs come in between £195 and £395 ex VAT (£234–£474 including VAT), per visit. 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 Scotland?
Most lantern repairs in Scotland need no approval at all. Where a job turns into a replacement, the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 apply and we confirm how the work will be signed off before we start. Listed buildings in Scotland need listed building consent from the planning authority for alterations, with Historic Environment Scotland guidance; check before changing a lantern on a listed property.
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.
Urgent leak make-safe in Lerwick: questions
Do you cover Lerwick?
Yes, by arrangement. We cover Lerwick, including the ZE1 postcode area, as part of Highlands and Islands. 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.
How do I get a price for urgent leak make-safe in Lerwick?
Send a few photos of the lantern and the problem, with your Lerwick postcode. We'll reply with a guide price and tell you whether a visit is needed before we can fix the price.
How quickly can you come?
We arrange make-safe visits as soon as we can, depending on weather, access and where you are. We'll give you an honest time when you call.
What does a make-safe cost?
Usually £195–£395 ex VAT, confirmed before we attend. The permanent repair is quoted separately.
Other lantern repairs in Lerwick
- Roof lantern resealing in Lerwick
- Eaves beam and gutter repairs in Lerwick
- Misted glass unit replacement in Lerwick
- Opening vent and actuator repairs in Lerwick
- Roof lantern replacement in Lerwick
- Orangery lantern repairs in Lerwick
More about urgent leak make-safe · All roof lantern repairs in Lerwick