Essex · London and the South East
Braintree Flat Roof Survey
Independent flat roof surveys in Braintree. We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
- Raised blisters across the surface
- Loose or cracked edge trims
- Leaks around rooflights
Flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Braintree
A flat roof doesn’t shed water the way a pitched roof does. Because rain sits on it for longer, a small split, an open seam or a blocked outlet matters more. We check the surface, the falls, the upstands and the edge trims, and we note any sign that the deck below has got wet. The aim is to find problems before they show up as a stain on a ceiling. We’re often asked to look into pools of water lying on the roof and splits and cracks in the covering, on EPDM rubber, felt flat roofs and GRP fibreglass.
In a place like Braintree, flat roofs cover everything from garages and extensions to shops, offices and blocks. Felt roofs frequently last around 15–20 years, EPDM rubber around 30–50 years and GRP up to about 30. Ponding, blistering, splits and tired upstands are the usual signs of age. Those are typical ranges, and workmanship matters as much as the material.
If any part of the flat roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Where
- Braintree (CM7, CO9, CM77, CO6)
- Region
- Essex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
We’ll ask a few questions first, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes, and longer for a large or complex roof. Town-centre streets in Braintree can mean pay-and-display or permit parking, so a word about where to park saves time. We’ll want to see the loft, if there is one, and any ceiling or wall showing damp. Outside, the roof is viewed from every point that’s safe.
- We start with the address and, on larger roofs, the roof area and access.
- Inside, we look for signs of water under the roof where we can reach.
- We view the roof from safe positions and never walk on fragile surfaces.
- Each defect is photographed and its likely cause noted.
- The report explains the condition and recommends what to do first.
How to prepare
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
Booking a survey
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the details.
Read more
When you need someone else
Before you book, it is worth knowing what a survey will not do:
- A structural engineer’s assessment of the deck
- A promise that the roof will not leak in future
- Whether old sheeting or boards contain asbestos
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will recommend the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Braintree
- Felt flat roofs
- EPDM rubber
- Single-ply membranes
- Mastic asphalt
- Upstands and outlets
- GRP fibreglass
Different roofs, different checks
Mastic asphalt
Asphalt has no laps, so its weak points are cracks and the skirtings at walls and upstands. We record any crazing or splits and where water may be getting in.
Felt and built-up roofs
Built-up felt is one of the most common flat roof coverings on extensions, garages and dormers. We look for blistering, cracking, split laps and worn mineral surfacing.
Before and after the survey
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Make sure new fixings through the roof are properly sealed
- Plan a survey before the covering reaches the end of its usual life
- Look for standing water a day after rain
- Watch the ceilings below the flat roof for stains
Buyers can take the findings back to the seller or the agent. It can support a request for work before completion or a conversation about price, depending on what we found.
After heavy rain, look at the roof from an upstairs window if you can. Water still lying a day or two later is worth getting looked at.
Prices for flat roof surveys in Braintree
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- Building height and the viewpoints available
- How big the roof is
- House, block, shop or office
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, with VAT included, and we’ll tell you which fits.
What we need to know
We will usually ask about:
- The kind of building and roof involved
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- The property’s address and postcode
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine; never climb up to get a better view. To get started, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Questions from Braintree
Do you look at commercial flat roofs near Braintree, such as hotels?
Yes. As well as homes, we check flat roofs on offices, hotels, blocks of flats and commercial units. For a bigger roof, you will get a quote based on the building, and roof access is agreed with you ahead of the visit.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Braintree?
We do. Every survey there gets the same written report with photographs.
What’s the best way to book?
It’s easiest to phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. Let us know the address and a little about the roof. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Can you survey in bad weather?
It depends on the weather and the survey. High wind or heavy rain can make access unsafe and ground a drone, and we’d agree another day.
How long is the visit?
It typically takes about 1–2 hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. We will confirm the timing when booking.
Does the report include photos?
Yes. We photograph the roof as we go, and they go into the written report alongside our recommendations.
Which days do you carry out surveys?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime, which suits people who work during the week. Just say which days work for you.
Flat roofs in Braintree
There are several hotels within about a mile and a half of Braintree. If you look after one, a leak through a flat roof can put a room out of use. An older home may be listed, or stand in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Great Bradfords Infant and Nursery School, schools and public buildings often have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks. The streets around a church such as Congregational Church are often among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, the joins between later flat roofs and the old walls are where problems typically start.
Braintree is about 39 miles north-east of London, in Essex. Braintree is one of many places we visit across Essex, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. Across Essex, we cover Braintree. For surveys nearby, see our Chelmsford page.
Flat roof surveys in CM7, CO9, CM77 and CO6 are booked the same way as anywhere else. If you need a flat roof survey at a property on Market Street, Little Square and Great Square or a nearby road, we can help. Being close to the A12 and A120, Braintree is simple for us to get to. We also cover the places around Braintree: Bocking (1 mile west), Long Green (2 miles south-east), Great Notley (2 miles south-west), Black Notley (2 miles south) and Row Green (2 miles south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Colchester (14 miles east), Chelmsford (11 miles south), Maldon (12 miles south-east), Witham (6 miles south-east), Camulodunum (13 miles east) and Halstead (5 miles north-east). Braintree is one of the larger places we cover in Essex.
Landmarks near Braintree
In Braintree, that means homes and buildings near Edith Borthwick School, Bocking Blackwater and Angel Inn and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Braintree station, roughly 0.5 miles south-west. Well-known places in the area include Tudor House Museum (Braintree) (within half a mile north-west) and St Michael's Hospital (0.9 miles west). The countryside around Braintree includes Belcher's and Broadfield Woods.
Common roof problems in Braintree
Buyers often book after their home survey suggests a closer look at a flat roof. Owners and managing agents use a survey to plan upkeep, or ahead of a sale or a new lease. Either way, you get a clear record of the roof, with photographs.
We are often asked to look at:
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
- Ponding water that does not drain away
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
For landlords with property near Braintree station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
What to check before booking
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Are they insured for the work?
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- What the survey won’t cover