If you have a flat roof on your home in Downham Market and need it installed, repaired or replaced, choosing the right contractor is the single most important decision you will make.
Flat roofs are not forgiving of poor workmanship. Unlike a pitched slate or tile roof, where some minor imperfections may shed water without incident, a flat roof relies entirely on correct detailing at every edge, outlet and upstand. Get any one of those wrong and water will find its way in, often without you noticing until the damage is done inside.
The two materials we install are EPDM rubber and modern torch-on felt systems. EPDM is a single-ply rubber membrane that performs well across a wide temperature range, resists UV degradation, and when properly welded at the seams, gives a genuinely watertight result. Modern torch-on felt is a reinforced bitumen system applied in layers - a step up from the thin shed-grade felt that fails within a few years. Both are far more durable than the old-fashioned mineral felt that covered most flat roofs built before the 1990s.
The flat roofing trade has more than its share of poor operators. A new flat roof is not a small investment, and the consequences of getting it wrong range from water ingress to structural timber rot. Knowing what to ask before you sign anything will save you a great deal of trouble.
Start with the material they intend to use. If a contractor simply says "felt" without specifying the system, ask whether it is a reinforced torch-on membrane or a cold-applied system, and how many layers are included. Single-layer felt installations are a shortcut that will not last. A proper torch-on build-up uses at least two layers - a base layer and a cap sheet - with all laps correctly bonded.
Ask specifically how they handle the upstands and edge details. These are the places where the flat roof meets a wall, a parapet, or a raised edge. They are also the places where most flat roofs fail. The waterproofing membrane must be dressed up the wall or parapet by at least 150mm, and the top edge must be mechanically fixed and sealed. Ask the contractor to explain what they will do at each of those points before work starts.
Ask whether they will strip back to the deck or overlay the existing covering. Overlaying is sometimes acceptable when the deck is sound and perfectly dry, but laying a new membrane over wet or rotting timber will simply lock in the problem. A contractor who insists on overlay without inspecting the deck first is cutting corners.
Find out what happens to rainwater. Every flat roof needs a fall - ideally a minimum of 1:80 - to move water towards the outlet or edge. If the current roof ponds water in the middle, a good contractor will address the falls when they relay, either by adding a tapered insulation board or by adjusting the structure slightly. If they do not mention falls at all, that is a warning sign.
Be cautious of any contractor who quotes over the phone without seeing the roof. Flat roof prices vary with the deck condition, the number of outlets, the complexity of the upstands, and the access required. A quote given without a site visit is either guesswork or it will change once work starts.
Be cautious of very low prices. EPDM membrane and quality torch-on felt are not cheap materials, and the labour to install them correctly takes time. A flat roof for a typical single-storey extension in this part of Norfolk might run to £80-£120 per square metre installed, depending on the system, the deck condition and the detail complexity. Quotes well below that range usually mean thinner materials, fewer layers or corners cut on the detailing.
Be cautious of pressure to start immediately. A contractor who tells you the job must begin this week or they cannot fit you in is using urgency to stop you getting other prices. A good roofer is busy, but they will give you time to make a considered decision.
Before any contractor quotes, they should get onto the roof - not just look at it from a ladder. They need to check the falls, press the surface to feel for softness that indicates wet insulation or a failing deck, inspect every upstand and outlet, and note the condition of any flashings or edge trims. This survey should take at least 20-30 minutes on a typical single-storey flat roof.
A written quote should itemise the stripping, the deck inspection and any repairs, the insulation specification, the membrane system and number of layers, the edge trims, and any flashings. If a quote is a single line - "renew flat roof" - ask for a breakdown before you agree to anything.
We are based in Brandon and carry out flat roof installations and repairs in Downham Market and the surrounding area. If you want us to take a proper look at your roof and give you a clear written price, call us to arrange a survey. We will tell you honestly what system suits your roof, what the deck looks like, and what the work will involve before you commit to a penny.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
