Building regs for retiling a roof

Golden1234

We need to carry out major roof repairs. This involves removing existing tiles on half of our roof, installing a new membrane and then putting on new tiles.

It looks like we will need building regs for this, which will include adding insulation (the roof is over a large loft).

We have a quote from a roofer, who seems reputable. When we asked him about building regs he said that if we wanted to do this it was our responsibility to organise. He also said that he has never known anyone he has done roofs for applying for building regs., and is was not worth the money for us as this is expensive.

Question is, do we really need to apply for regs. And is it true that the majority of people don't bother?

thebaldwindowfitter

are you adding a pitched roof over a flat roofed dormer then you should apply

jkpd

Yes you do need building regs.

MX5huggy

Can you afford not to insulate?

phill99

Rule of thumb is that if it is classed as maintenance and you are doing a like-for-like replacement, then building regs aren't needed.

teneighty

Rule of thumb is that if it is classed as maintenance and you are doing a like-for-like replacement, then building regs aren't needed.

That is not strictly correct. It would probably come under renovation of a thermal element in Part L and could need building regs.

However, as your roofer said and I would hazard a guess 90% plus of builders in the residential sector, dont bother. They have made this part of the building regulations so complicated that they have made them too difficult to understand with the result that they are widely ignored.

It depends how you feel about the very small risk of getting caught. Personally I would not bother with an application but I would make sure that the work was up to building regs standard with regard to insulation and ventilation/breathable sarking felt etc.

Just re-read OP. I assume new tiles are a like for like replacement and not heavier or suitable for a different pitch etc.

Louby-Lou_2

Were in the process of this , our felt is worn and we need to replace using the old slate. We have had to apply for planning permission as in a conservation area as well, but you do need consent.

capeverde

Work to an existing roof

If you want to carry out repairs on or re-cover less than 25 per cent of the area of a pitch or flat roof, you will not normally need to submit a building regulations application. You will need approval, however, if:

• You carry out structural alterations
• The performance of the new covering will be significantly different to that of the existing covering in the event of a fire
• You are replacing/ repairing more than 25 per cent of the roof area, in which case, the roof thermal insulation would normally have to be improved.

The removal or alteration to any roof elements could affect how the roof works and cause movement to occur. Movement could cause cracks to occur in the walls and, possibly, the eventual collapse of the roof. When performing work on any roof, care should be taken to ensure the roof will continue to perform effectively and without any movement.

Golden1234

Thanks for all the replies so far.

The job is to refelt and retile (with like-for-like tiles) the roof of the original bungalow section of our house. There is currently no insulation at all, and we were not planning to install this immediately. Perhaps we should (sounds like a prerequisite of building regs).

Forgot to say that we were also planning to install a couple of velux windows as at some point in the future we want to convert the loft (not the finance for this yet).