Roofing in La Chaux-de-Fonds

Are you looking for a roofing company in La Chaux-de-Fonds for a leak, a renovation or insulation? This watchmaking town in the Neuchâtel Mountains has its own particularities: long, snowy winters, large rental buildings and a chessboard plan recognised by UNESCO. This page sets out what these factors change for roofing work, and how to prepare a quote request for a roofer in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

The most common roofing works in La Chaux-de-Fonds

The roofer’s trade covers several tasks found here as elsewhere: roofing in tiles, slate or fibre cement, waterproofing of flat roofs, maintenance, full renovation, insulation through the roof, installation of roof windows and flashing (gutters, valleys, flashings, verges).

In a town of large rental buildings, this work is often on a different scale from that of a detached house. A renovation then concerns an entire building, with many occupants, scaffolding to be erected on the street and decisions to be taken by several people. Conversely, more modest houses mainly raise the question of regular maintenance: checking the roofing after winter, cleaning the gutters, repairing flashing elements.

Flat roofs, which are found on part of the building stock, call for careful waterproofing. An ageing membrane or a badly fixed upstand eventually lets water through, and snow that melts and then refreezes makes this kind of defect worse.

Snow and winter: what the climate of the Neuchâtel Mountains requires

The canton of Neuchâtel is one of contrasts: a mild shoreline along the lake, but cold, snowy Neuchâtel Mountains. La Chaux-de-Fonds belongs to the second category, and this weighs on every roofing decision.

• Snow load. In Switzerland, roofs are designed for the snow load of their location, under the SIA 261 standard (Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects), and the load is higher at altitude. During a renovation, the question of the roof structure arises: a roofer or a carpenter must say whether the existing structure suits the project, especially if you add a layer of insulation or a heavier new material.
• Snow retention and drainage. On a pitched roof above a street or a walkway, sliding snow becomes a hazard. Snow guards, sturdy gutters and the way they are fixed are among the points to have detailed.
• Freeze and thaw. The alternation puts stress on joints, fixings and flashing. A hurried repair made before winter should be checked again in spring.
• Insulation. In a region where heating is needed for a long time, insulation through the roof changes comfort and heating needs. It must be designed together with the ventilation of the roof to avoid damp in the attic.

Work at height also requires fall protection, in line with the guidelines of Suva (the Swiss accident insurance fund). Ask for the quote to state what is planned: scaffolding, guardrails, nets. This item shows in the price, and that is normal.

Chessboard plan, watchmaking heritage and the look of roofs

The town was rebuilt on a chessboard plan, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site together with Le Locle. This watchmaking heritage has a practical consequence: changing the look of a roof may require a permit, especially on a protected building or in a sensitive area.

In practice, before choosing a different tile colour, another material, a new dormer or a series of roof windows, check with the municipality or the competent cantonal service what applies to your building. I cannot tell you here whether your building is affected: it depends on its location and its status. Simply say in your request that the question arises, and let the professional and the authorities judge.

For neighbouring facades and roofs, the harmony of the street is also at stake. A renovation “like for like” is sometimes the simplest route, but it still has to be confirmed case by case.

Solar panels and insulation: planning the work together

A roof renovation is the right moment to ask whether you want to install solar panels, replace the insulation or add roof windows. Doing this work in a single intervention avoids taking the roofing apart twice and multiplying scaffolding.

On the energy side, the cantonal energy and environment service manages the cantonal subsidy programme. I give no amount: the conditions, the eligible work and the steps to take before the start of the site should be checked directly with that service. For the solar part, you can also consult the page on solar panels in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

If insulating the roof raises the thickness of the roof, check that this does not change the look of the building to the point of requiring a permit.

Procedures: permit, landlord and co-ownership

Depending on the project, a building permit application may be needed. In the canton of Neuchâtel, it is submitted through the cantonal SATAC desk, and the decision is made by the municipality. Simple maintenance or a like-for-like repair does not generally require the same procedure as a change of material, shape or openings; the municipality will tell you what applies.

As for agreements:

1. House owner: you decide, subject to permits.
2. Co-ownership: the roof is in principle a common part. Major works are voted on at a meeting, and the quote serves as the basis for the decision.
3. Tenant: you do not start work on the roof. Report a defect (leak, broken tile, gutter) to the landlord or the property manager, who decides on the intervention.
4. Small business renting its premises: the same logic applies, with the owner’s written agreement.

Preparing your request and comparing quotes

The more precise the description, the more comparable the quotes. Before requesting a quote, gather:

• the type of building (rental building, house, commercial premises) and its address in the town;
• the shape of the roof (pitched, flat) and the current material, if you know it;
• the problem observed: leak, displaced tiles, damaged gutter, insufficient insulation;
• photos of the roof, the attic and any traces of damp;
• related projects: solar panels, roof windows, insulation;
• whether the building is protected or located in a heritage area, as soon as you know.

A good quote details the removal of the old roofing, the new roofing, any insulation and vapour barrier, the flashing, the scaffolding and fall protection, waste removal and what is not included.

The cost varies with the surface and shape of the roof, how difficult the access is, the material, the condition of the roof structure, the thickness of insulation, the extent of the flashing and the scaffolding required. That is why no amount is given here: only a quote, after examination of your roof, sets it. Compare proposals item by item, rather than on the total alone.

To start the process, you can request a quote: you describe your work, and your request is passed on to companies in the region, who contact you with a free, no-obligation quote.

Further reading

• The trade page: roofing
• The town page: work in La Chaux-de-Fonds
• The cantonal context: canton of Neuchâtel
• Other work in La Chaux-de-Fonds: interior painting in La Chaux-de-Fonds, carpenter in La Chaux-de-Fonds, solar panels in La Chaux-de-Fonds