Sun tunnels & tubular skylights in Harwich: what is involved?
Sun tunnels & tubular skylights in Harwich means light pipes that bring daylight to halls and bathrooms with no window. We cover the CO12 district and the rest of Essex, with a survey before any price is fixed.
Coastal towns in the East of England see salty air, so we specify frame finishes and fixings with exposure in mind. Typical uses for sun tunnels & tubular skylights include windowless hallways, landings and bathrooms.
We work across Essex, including Harwich, and in neighbouring towns such as Felixstowe and Ipswich. Access, parking and how the glass reaches the roof are all checked at the survey.
What you can choose
- Pitched or flat-roof flashings
- Diffusers in several sizes
- Rigid (brighter) or flexible tubes
- Insulated tube sections
- Ventilation adaptor
- Low maintenance
- Optional ventilation or lighting kit on some models
Things we check at survey
- Light output falls with tube length and bends
- Tube runs need insulation in cold lofts to limit condensation
Do you need permission in Harwich?
Most rooflights on English houses do not need planning permission, provided they keep within 150 mm of the roof surface and below the ridge line. A rooflight on a side-facing slope must be obscure-glazed, and fixed shut unless the opening part is more than 1.7 m above the floor.
Building Regulations Approved Document L sets a limiting U-value of 2.2 W/m²K for new or replacement rooflights in existing homes, measured in the horizontal plane; roof windows need 1.4 W/m²K or a Band B energy rating. The Future Homes and Buildings Standards, published in March 2026, apply from 24 March 2027 and keep the 2.2 W/m²K limit for rooflights.
Our planning guide covers each nation in more detail.
Guide prices for Harwich
The ranges below are typical for straightforward jobs; your fixed price follows a survey of your roof.
| Option | Guide price inc VAT | Ex VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Large rigid tunnel, long run | £1,675 – £2,275 | £1,395 – £1,895 |
| Standard rigid tunnel Typical | £1,315 – £1,795 | £1,095 – £1,495 |
| Compact flexible tunnel | £1,075 – £1,435 | £895 – £1,195 |
The process, step by step
- Tell us what you have. Send the CO12 postcode, a rough size and a couple of photos.
- Free site visit. For new installs we survey free, measure and confirm the roof detail.
- Agree the quote. You approve the specification and price before anything is ordered.
- Installation day. Usually one day into a prepared opening, longer for new openings.
Nearby towns
Related work in Harwich
Common questions
Do sun tunnels need planning permission?
Usually not on a house, provided the dome does not project too far and the property is not listed. Check if you live in a conservation area or a flat.
Rigid or flexible tube?
Rigid tubes carry much more light. Flexible tubes are easier where the loft is cluttered, but lose light faster.
How much light does a sun tunnel give?
A good rigid tunnel on a bright day lights a hallway well. Output depends on tube diameter, length and the number of bends.
Will I need planning permission in Harwich?
In England a rooflight on a house is usually permitted development under Class C if it projects no more than 150 mm beyond the roof slope and sits no higher than the ridge.
Do I need to be at home for the survey in Harwich?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
