Roofing and brickwork for home extensions
Extension roofing and associated brickwork.
The junction between an extension roof and the existing house needs careful planning. Roof height, drainage, insulation, valleys, abutments and roof lights can all affect the finished work.
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What homeowners notice
What needs to be planned
- Flat or pitched form
- Available height at the boundary
- Connection to the existing roof
- Natural-light openings
- Insulation build-up
- Rainwater route and outlets
What we can help with
Work included in this service.
Flat and pitched roof options
Abutment and lead details
Rainwater and drainage details
Associated brickwork
Roof lights and openings
Repair or replace?
The right option depends on what we find.
Flat or pitched
The right answer depends on height, appearance, span, drainage, daylight and how the roof meets the house.
Planning requirements
Permitted development and planning rules depend on the property and proposal, so they need to be checked for the actual design.
Whole build or roof package
The quotation needs to define clearly whether the enquiry covers the roof only or wider extension work.
What affects the quote
What changes the price.
The price depends on the size and condition of the roof, safe access, materials and any hidden damage found during the work.
- 01
Roof area and form
- 02
Structural span
- 03
Roof lights or lanterns
- 04
Abutments and valleys
- 05
Insulation specification
- 06
Access and wider building scope
How the job works
From first contact to completed work.
- 01
Clarify the project stage
Establish whether the homeowner has a concept, drawings, permission or an active build.
- 02
Review roof constraints
Consider height, span, drainage, insulation and the existing building junction.
- 03
Confirm what is included
Separate the roofing, structural work and any wider extension work in the quotation.
- 04
Arrange a site visit
Share the plans or project details and arrange to discuss the work at the property.
Read before you decide
Guides related to this job.
Costs & Grants
Extension Cost Guide Birmingham: What Changes the Quote
Plan a Birmingham house-extension budget by understanding the scope, access, structure, roof, specification and provisional sums that change a real quote.
Extensions & Building
Flat vs Pitched Roof Extension: 2026 Birmingham Cost & Planning Guide
Compare flat and pitched extension roofs by available height, drainage, insulation, junctions, appearance, maintenance and planning context.
Planning & Regulations
Planning Permission vs Permitted Development Birmingham 2026: Complete Guide to Building Rights
Planning permission vs Permitted Development in Birmingham - what you can build without consent, conservation area rules, and the full application process.
Practical answers
Extension roofing questions
Is a flat roof always cheaper for an extension?
Not always. Size, structure, insulation, openings, drainage and junction complexity can outweigh the difference in covering cost.
Do I need planning permission?
Some extensions fall within permitted development, but the answer depends on the property, dimensions, previous work and local constraints.
Can you look at drawings before a site visit?
Yes. Use the quote form to explain the project stage and mention any drawings available for the first discussion.
Why do extension roofs leak at the wall?
The abutment must manage movement and direct water onto the new roof. Poor upstands, flashings or drainage can make that junction vulnerable.
Get an extension quote
Send the postcode and roof details.
Tell J Dowd what you can see, when it started and anything that may affect access.