Roof structure & carpentry in Guildford & Surrey
Rafters, timberwork and structural repairs beneath the covering.
What's involved
This is the timberwork beneath the roof covering: rafters, purlins and battens, repaired, replaced or strengthened where age, rot, woodworm or a previous poor repair has left them unable to properly support the roof above. It's often uncovered mid-way through another job, but just as often it's the reason someone calls us in the first place, particularly ahead of a loft conversion where the structure needs to take more load than it was originally built for.
Signs you need it
A roofline that visibly sags or dips when viewed from the street, a bouncy or springy feeling underfoot in the loft, daylight or damp showing around the timbers, creaking that wasn't there before, or a ridge line that's no longer straight. Small cracks appearing in ceilings below, or doors that have started sticking upstairs, can also point back to movement in the roof structure. These are structural signs, not cosmetic ones, and worth having looked at properly rather than left.
What to expect from us
We assess which timbers are affected and how much of the structure needs attention. Sometimes that's a localised repair, sometimes it's sistering in new timber alongside an existing rafter for strength rather than a full replacement. Everything is made good so the roof covering above can go back on properly once the structure underneath is genuinely sound, not just patched over. Where a structural engineer's spec is involved, we'll work to it exactly rather than to our own judgement.
How long it takes
A localised repair is usually one to two days. Wider structural work, or strengthening ahead of a loft conversion, takes longer and depends heavily on scope: a few days for a section of roof, more for a full structural overhaul. So we'll give you a proper timeframe once we've had a look and opened up the affected area, rather than a guess over the phone.
Common questions about roof structure & carpentry
Does this always mean stripping the whole roof?
No, it depends on where the affected timber is and how accessible it is. Some structural repairs are done from inside the loft without touching the covering at all.
Can you strengthen a roof before a loft conversion?
Yes, this is a common job for us: reinforcing rafters and structure ahead of a conversion, usually working to a plan from your architect or structural engineer where one's required.
Is a sagging roof dangerous?
It's a sign the structure needs attention, though the urgency varies a lot. We'll give you a straight answer on how soon it needs dealing with once we've seen it.
Do you work alongside structural engineers?
Yes, where building control needs a structural engineer's specification, we're happy to carry out the work to that spec.
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