Lightning protection repairs and maintenance
Most lightning protection repairs come from a test report: a high earth reading, a broken joint, a missing length of tape. Some come from theft or a storm. Either way, a system with a gap in it can be worse than useless, because it invites a strike to a path that ends in the wall.
Repairs are priced from the defect list, so the better the report, the clearer the quote. Small items are often fixed on the same visit; larger work such as extra earths or a new down conductor needs access and a second visit.
- Usually found by
- The annual test report
- Priced
- Per defect, after the test
- Post-strike inspection
- £350 to £600
- Then
- Retested and recertified
Signs you need a repair
- The last test was a fail or a conditional pass with a list of defects.
- Tape, clips or rods are missing, often at low level where thieves can reach.
- An earth reading has risen above 10 ohms, or jumped sharply since last year.
- Fixings have pulled out of soft mortar and conductors are hanging off the wall.
- Roofers, scaffolders or other trades have cut, moved or covered part of the system.
- There has been a strike, with scorch marks, damaged stone or tripped electrics.
What repairs cost
| Item | Typical figure |
|---|---|
| Inspection after a suspected strike published UK contractor price guides, autumn 2026 | £350 to £600 |
| Emergency repair after a failure Often cited by contractors as a typical minimum | £2,000+ |
| Two years of tests and repairs, NHS trust East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, April 2025, value as published | £25,000 |
| Three years of tests and repairs, housing London Borough of Newham, February 2026, value as published | £160,000 |
| Five-year tests, repairs and new systems, housing Southern Housing, November 2025, value as published | £1,270,000 |
Where these figures come from
Repairs are priced per defect after a test, so there is no reliable per-item figure in published guides; the post-strike and emergency figures are from published UK contractor price guides, autumn 2026, excluding VAT. Test prices are typical ranges from published UK contractor price guides, autumn 2026, excluding VAT, read October and November 2026. Firms are not named. Contract values are copied from Contracts Finder or Find a Tender notices, ex VAT where stated, and show the size of real jobs rather than a rate for yours.
What usually fails, and the fix
High earth readings
Ground conditions change, rods corrode and connections loosen in the pit. The fix is to clean and remake the connection, drive the rod deeper or add another electrode until the reading is back under the target. Readings taken in a dry summer may recover in winter, so a good tester looks at the trend before recommending new rods.
Broken continuity
A corroded joint, a crushed bond or a cut section somewhere between roof and ground. The tester narrows it down with readings between points, then the joint is remade or the length replaced.
Theft
Copper tape at low level is a target for scrap thieves, and diocesan guidance asks churches to check conductors regularly and repair any damage quickly. Replacement options include guards over the lowest few metres, a less valuable metal where the design allows, and anti-theft fixings. Tell your insurer and the police; many policies need a crime reference.
Upgrades to the current standard
Many systems fitted to the old BS 6651 have a single down conductor and earth. They may test well yet fall short of BS EN 62305. An upgrade usually means extra down conductors and earths rather than starting again.
What a good repair quote looks like
A repair quote should be traceable back to the defect list, line by line.
Tied to the report
Each line refers to a numbered defect or test point, so you can see nothing has been added or left out.
Like-for-like or better
Matching material and size, or a stated reason for changing it, such as theft or corrosion.
Access shown separately
Platform, scaffold or rope access as its own line; on a tower it may cost more than the repair.
Retest included
Readings taken after the repair and a new certificate issued, so the record is complete.
How a repair gets done
Read the report
Your contractor works from the defect list and drawing, and checks anything unclear on site.
Make safe
Loose conductors are secured and anything dangerous is dealt with first, especially after theft or a strike.
Repair
Joints remade, sections replaced, earths improved or added, and guards or anti-theft measures fitted where agreed.
Retest
Continuity and earth readings taken again and a fresh certificate issued for your records.
Questions people ask
How much do lightning protection repairs cost?
It depends on what has failed and how hard it is to reach. Contractors often quote £2,000 or more for an emergency repair after a failure, and a post-strike inspection runs £350 to £600. Public contracts show the scale across estates: £25,000 for two years of tests and repairs at an NHS trust, £160,000 for three years at a London borough.
Is it safe to leave a damaged system until the next test?
A broken system can be worse than none, because it attracts a strike to a path that no longer reaches earth. Get damage after theft or a strike looked at promptly.
Does insurance pay for stolen lightning conductors?
Many buildings policies cover theft of fixtures, sometimes with limits for metal. Report it to the police and your insurer before replacing it, and ask whether they want a particular material or guard.
Can my electrician do the repairs?
Lightning protection is specialist work, often at height. Insurers and dioceses usually expect a specialist, and the repair should be tested and certified by someone with the right earth tester.
Should I upgrade an old system to BS EN 62305?
If the report says the system predates the current standard, plan an upgrade, often extra down conductors and earths. Ask for a risk assessment first so you only pay for the protection the building needs.
Get lightning protection repairs priced
Three quick screens: the postcode of the building, the work, then your contact details. Most people finish in about two minutes.
We are an introduction service, not a lightning protection contractor. We tell you which specialist covers your building before anything is shared, and no one calls you unless you agree.
Thanks, your enquiry is in.
- We aim to tell you within one working day which specialist we suggest for your building.
- Nothing is sent to them until you give the go-ahead.
- They check the building and its system and send you a written price. We will not send you marketing.