London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in City of London
From the largest town to the smallest village in the City of London, our roof surveyors can carry out flat roof surveys. Written reports with photos, and surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Towns we cover in the City of London
In short: surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings. Pick your town below to see the details for your area. You can also book straight away on 07833 053749.
Biggest towns in the City of London
Flat roof survey in the City of London: how it works
If the house you’re buying has a flat roof on an extension, dormer or garage, it is worth knowing its condition before exchange. Felt roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM and GRP often last longer. Our report records the covering, how it’s holding up and any defects we can see, with a photo of every defect. You then have something specific to put to the seller or agent. We are often asked to look into pools of water lying on the roof and outlets that hold water back, on felt flat roofs, mastic asphalt and EPDM rubber.
The aim of the visit is simple: to look at the flat roof as closely as is safe and record what we find. Everything we note and photograph goes into the written report. It usually takes between one and two hours at most homes, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer.
- We agree the roof to be surveyed, its use and any leaks you know about.
- The roof is viewed from safe positions, including the roof itself where that’s safe.
- The covering is checked for wear, splits, blisters and standing water.
- Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- The report, with photos and recommendations, comes to you by email.
Prices in the City of London
A Basic Survey starts from £150, including VAT. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both with VAT included. We confirm the price for your survey before booking.
Why book with us
- Photographs and a written report every time
- An independent look at the roof
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
Book a survey
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Local landmarks in City of London
Around City of London, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Fashion Retail Academy, Prior Weston Primary School and Children's Centre and Barts Health Archives, among other places. Also close by are Golden Fleece pub (less than half a mile south), St Alphage Garden (under half a mile north), Central Foundation Boys' School (0.8 miles north) and St Mary-at-Hill (0.5 miles south-east). There is a railway station in City of London itself: London Cannon Street station. Nearby you’ll also find Gabriel's Wharf (0.8 miles south-west) and London Mithraeum (less than half a mile south). Not far away are St. James's Park Lake and Barnsbury Wood.
- Local churches include St Olave Old Jewry (less than half a mile east)
Flat roof surveys across the City of London: local notes
From the City of London to its smaller places, the City of London has flat roofs on extensions, garages, shops, offices and blocks. Each covering, from felt to single-ply, has its own weak points.
Several airports in London and South East England have flight restriction zones around them, so every drone flight in the City of London is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. Where permission is needed, the flight waits for it.
City of London: If you own a rental within reach of London Cannon Street station, a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak. The streets around a church such as St Olave Old Jewry are often among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, the joins between later flat roofs and the old walls are where problems usually start.
How we price flat roof surveys
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on the size and height of the roof, how it can be seen safely and which survey you book.
What we need to know
A little information up front helps. It helps to include:
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
Prices start from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so phone 07833 053749 or email us with the details.
Why roofs fail
Flat roofs often get walked on for other jobs: cleaning windows, fitting aerials or air conditioning, or clearing gutters. Each visit can damage a covering not made for regular foot traffic. Fixings added through the covering often start leaks too.
Common reasons to book include:
- Standing water left after rain
- A sagging deck under the covering
- Loose or cracked edge trims
- Upstands pulling away from walls
Tips that help
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- Keep people off the roof unless they need to be there
- Watch the ceilings below the flat roof for stains
- Make sure new fixings through the roof are properly sealed
- Book a survey every few years
After the visit, we write up the report with photographs of what we found. It covers the type of covering, its condition and each defect, with our recommendations. Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24 to 48 hours and Premium reports the same day.
Get splits, lifted seams and loose trims seen to while they’re small. Prompt repairs tend to add years to a flat roof.
How the survey changes by roof type
Mastic asphalt
Asphalt roofs are common on older flats, walkways and commercial buildings. The survey checks for crazing, cracking, blistering and splits where the asphalt turns up the walls.
Felt and built-up roofs
On felt, the upstands and edge details frequently fail before the main surface. Every upstand and edge is checked, with photos of any that have lifted or cracked.
Landlords, agents and block managers in the City of London
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Bigger roofs take more time, and they’re priced for the size.
FAQs for the City of London
When does the report arrive?
Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24–48 hours and Premium reports on the same day. Each one is emailed, ready to forward.
Are you insured?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys, across London and South East England.
Is the City of London in your area?
Yes. The City of London is part of the area we cover, and the service is the same as everywhere else we work.
Will you check the loft?
Yes, where the survey calls for it and there is safe access. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging, as far as the space allows.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We point out what can be seen, such as sagging or deflection, but we are not structural engineers and don’t carry out calculations. Where an engineer is needed, we say so in the report.
How do I arrange a flat roof survey in the City of London?
The quickest way is to phone 07833 053749 or email us. Tell us the address and a little about the roof. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.