Bats.. question to roofers

Joined
9 Jan 2020
Messages
778
Reaction score
28
Country
United Kingdom
Our Victorian house is adjacent to a woodland and there are quite a few bats around. I know we have them (or have had) living in the roof as we see the odd sign and even found a deceased bat a couple of times.

I'm aware there are quite strict rules on this but the house has the original roof which is reaching the point of needing substantial repairs, probably we would look to re-roof and make some other alterations at the same time.

I assume it's a common issue roofers run into (like wasps!) so what is the process, what should I know?
Thanks.
 
Sponsored Links
Its not good news

you have to seek advice from your SNCO or an ecological consultant

Ive heard that a ecologist has to be on site whilst the tiles are stripped............each tile has to be carefully removed and checked to see if there a bat on it!
 
if after the ecologist ascertains the presence of bats they are present for every minute you are working near their roost...I worked for the national trust a few years back and the majority of the properties had bats. The tweed brigade were practically living with us. BTW cost a small fortune.
 
Sponsored Links
You'll need a bat survey by ecologists as Catlad says
They may spend a bit of time sitting in your garden waiting to see if bats go in or out , if so what types .
Then they are likely to say when you can carry out works .
They may even want you to soft strip the roof . They watch your roofers strip carefully and look out for any bats at home .
We work with these guys almost weekly .
 
Cost me £500 to have a bat survey done, tweed brigade was on site for 20 mins. No evidence in droppings anywhere, no gaps in soffits etc.
Insisted that I should provide some sort of habitat, either in the new stone work or at least provide a bat box. This would be followed up robustly.
Followed up? Was it hell.
PITA.
John :)
 
That's cheap..
We did a church a year ago we had a guy on the scaffold watching for a week at 100 per hour .. pee take ..
We are on another right now and no bats seen in the survey which costs about 5000 .. no bat , so no restriction
 
Berluddy hell - looks like I got off lightly!
Said busy body also informed me that there could be some sort of bloody newt in the area, but her plans showed no ponds so I was in the clear.
Mercifully she missed next doors pond which is stacked with livestock :love:
My £150,000 extension could have been halted by such trivia......bang out of order in my opinion.
John :)
 
You guys are all using the wrong people for your surveys. though these days the cost is going upwards.
 
What would happen if a home owner simply bashed on and replaced the roof without mentioning bats to anyone? Then if someone knocks at the door x weeks/months/years later just play dumb. How much comeback do they have against the homeowner if intentional ignoring of the possible presence of bats can't be proved?

Or is it more likely to be the roofer that gets the grief?
 
You'll need a bat survey by ecologists as Catlad says
They may spend a bit of time sitting in your garden waiting to see if bats go in or out , if so what types .
Then they are likely to say when you can carry out works .
They may even want you to soft strip the roof . They watch your roofers strip carefully and look out for any bats at home .
We work with these guys almost weekly .
That's very helpful, thanks. I would say in my case it's a foregone conclusion we have them, unless they come and go periodically?

In the event of soft stripping, what happens when they do find a bat/bats?
 
During a soft strip , if bats are found . The ecologist
Is licenced to handle and move the bat to a near by bat box which they will put nearby.
Penalties are very harsh if you ignore
 
We tried an ultrasonic deterrent but found it didnt deter bats from entering our attic. In the end we managed to get rid of them by providing alternative accommodation. We put bat boxes high up on the gable wall near where we think they enter and in trees in the garden. After a few months the bats all disappeared from the attic and havent come back since.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top