Choose your area
Typical homes, roofs and access for each part of Birmingham, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and the Black Country. A quick read before your survey.
Browse Birmingham suburbs
| Area | Typical homes | Roofs | Access | Size to compare | Council |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hall Green and Acocks Green | Homes1930s semis with two-storey bays | RoofsHipped, tiled | AccessScaffold has to work round the bays | Compare4kW | CouncilBirmingham City Council |
| Moseley and Kings HeathParts of Moseley are conservation areas. | HomesVictorian and Edwardian terraces | RoofsSlate or tile, chimney stacks, rear wings | AccessRear entries and narrow side passages | Compare3kW to 4kW | CouncilBirmingham City Council |
| Harborne and EdgbastonEdgbaston has conservation areas and estate rules on outside changes. | HomesVictorian villas and interwar semis | RoofsBig, steep roofs on the older villas | AccessTall walls, so taller scaffold | Compare4kW to 6kW | CouncilBirmingham City Council |
| Erdington and Kingstanding | HomesInterwar semis and short terraces | RoofsSimple pitched, tiled | AccessUsually straightforward | Compare3kW to 4kW | CouncilBirmingham City Council |
| Selly Oak and BournvilleMuch of Bournville is a managed estate with its own consent process. | HomesTerraced cottages and semis | RoofsTiled, some with dormers | AccessTight terraced access front and back | Compare3kW | CouncilBirmingham City Council |
| Northfield and Longbridge | HomesInterwar semis, newer homes at Longbridge | RoofsTiled; some newer homes came with panels | AccessUsually straightforward | Compare4kW, or a battery for existing panels | CouncilBirmingham City Council |
| Yardley and Sheldon | Homes1930s semis, many with side garages | RoofsHipped, tiled | AccessThe garage is a handy battery spot | Compare4kW | CouncilBirmingham City Council |
Browse Solihull and Sutton Coldfield
| Area | Typical homes | Roofs | Access | Size to compare | Council |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sutton Coldfield and Four Oaks | HomesLarge detached homes, newer homes at Langley | RoofsBig roofs, often more than one face | AccessDriveways make scaffold easier | Compare6kW | CouncilBirmingham City Council |
| Shirley, Olton and Solihull | HomesSemis, detached homes and dormer bungalows | RoofsBungalow dormers cut into roof space | AccessLow eaves on bungalows | Compare3kW to 4kW | CouncilSolihull Council |
| Knowle and Dorridge | HomesLarger village and detached homes | RoofsWide roofs, some with several faces | AccessRoom on most plots | Compare6kW | CouncilSolihull Council |
| Castle Bromwich and Chelmsley Wood | HomesPost-war semis and terraces | RoofsSimple pitched, tiled | AccessUsually straightforward | Compare3kW to 4kW | CouncilSolihull Council |
Browse the Black Country
| Area | Typical homes | Roofs | Access | Size to compare | Council |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dudley and Halesowen | HomesInterwar and post-war semis | RoofsTiled, often hipped | AccessHillside streets can shape the scaffold | Compare4kW | CouncilDudley Council |
| West Bromwich and Oldbury | HomesVictorian terraces and interwar semis | RoofsSlate on older terraces, tile on semis | AccessRear entries on terraced streets | Compare3kW to 4kW | CouncilSandwell Council |
| Walsall | HomesTerraces, semis and newer estates | RoofsMostly simple pitched roofs | AccessUsually straightforward | Compare3kW to 4kW | CouncilWalsall Council |
| Wolverhampton | HomesTerraces near the centre, bigger homes in Tettenhall and Penn | RoofsMixed, from small terraces to wide detached roofs | AccessVaries street by street | Compare4kW to 6kW | CouncilCity of Wolverhampton Council |
General notes on typical homes, not a survey. Every street has exceptions.
Check coverage by postcode
Pop in your postcode to check it's inside the area we take requests from.
Outside the area? You can still send a request. We'll hold it and tell you if we can't help.
Check planning and estate rules first
Most rooftop panels on houses in England don't need planning permission. Conservation areas, listed buildings and flats have extra rules. The Planning Portal explains them, and your council's planning team can confirm.
Bournville and parts of Edgbaston are managed estates with their own consent process for outside changes. Ask the estate before you book a survey.
Do you cover my area?
We take requests across Birmingham, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and the Black Country. Send yours and we'll come back to you.
Why do the sizes differ by area?
Mostly house type. Interwar semis often have one good roof face for around 4kW. Terraces and bungalows have less room. Big detached homes in Four Oaks or Knowle can often take 6kW. The survey decides.
Which council do I ask about planning?
Sutton Coldfield is part of Birmingham City Council. Shirley, Olton, Knowle, Dorridge and Chelmsley Wood are Solihull Council. In the Black Country it's Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall or City of Wolverhampton Council.