Essex · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Chickney, Essex
Flat roof surveys for homes and businesses in Chickney. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Splits and cracks in the covering
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
Flat roof survey in Chickney
Standing water is one of the first things we look for on a flat roof. It can point to poor falls, a blocked outlet or a deck that is deflecting. The survey notes any ponding, the state of each outlet and any dips that hint at a sagging deck. If the deck itself looks like a structural concern, we’ll recommend a structural engineer. If you’ve noticed splits, cracks and crazing and signs of deflection in the roof deck, we can find out what’s behind it.
Older buildings in small places like Chickney may be listed or in a conservation area, which can shape what a new flat roof may look like. If you’re planning work, check with the council first. Knowing the roof’s condition is the starting point. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets, each with a short note and a photo. It records what’s sound as well as what isn’t.
- Where
- Chickney (CM6)
- Region
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Practical tips
Getting the most from a flat roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Note the date and type of any roof work
- Look for standing water a day after rain
- Ask contractors to protect the roof if they work on it
- Clear roof outlets and gutters each autumn
Buyers can take the findings back to the seller or the agent. You might ask for work to be done before completion, or discuss the price, depending on the findings.
Check the roof from a window after a downpour. Water still lying a day or two later is worth getting looked at.
Do you need a flat roof survey in Chickney?
The surface of a flat roof heats up and cools down far more than the rooms below. That movement pulls at seams, laps and the joints between boards, which can open splits and cracks over the years. Coverings that have hardened with age tend to suffer most.
We are frequently asked to look at:
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Ponding water that does not drain away
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
For an older house near a landmark like Church of St Mary the Virgin, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- What experience they bring
Places near Chickney
More services for Chickney
The survey, step by step
Every roof is different; as a rough guide, the survey takes between one and two hours for a house, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. You are welcome to ask questions while we’re there. Rural addresses near Chickney can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- First we go through the roof, what’s beneath it and any problems so far.
- We check the roof from the ground, windows and the roof where it is safe.
- We check the covering for splits, blisters, ponding and wear.
- Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- A written report with photos and recommendations is emailed to you.
Preparing for the visit
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Arrange a survey
Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.
Read more
What we look for on each type of roof
Felt and built-up roofs
On felt, the upstands and edge details often fail before the main surface. Every upstand and edge is looked at, with photos of any that have lifted or cracked.
EPDM rubber
EPDM often lasts 30 to 50 years, but it relies on its seams, trims and upstands being well finished. We look closely at each of those details.
Common questions in Chickney
Will you come out to Chickney?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and the South East. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when you book.
Is my home in Chickney listed or in a conservation area?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
Will I get photos?
Yes. Photos are part of every report, so you can see exactly what each finding refers to.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules, and we check for restrictions near airports before flying. We are a CAA-registered drone operator.
How do you inspect a flat roof?
We inspect from wherever is safe: on the roof where it’s safe, and from windows, nearby vantage points and inside. We never walk on fragile rooflights or sheeting.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
We don’t give a fixed number of years, because so much depends on upkeep, exposure and workmanship. We describe the condition and say which work is urgent and which can wait.
What happens after the survey?
You will get the report by email. With Standard there is a follow-up consultation; with Premium, an in-person consultation.
What a flat roof survey looks like in Chickney
In Essex, older buildings are frequently clay-tiled, many with weatherboarding, alongside lots of post-war and newer estates. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere. About 1.7 miles north lies Horham Hall, a reminder of how long the area around Chickney has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead.
If you let a flat or house near Stansted Airport station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
Chickney is about 4 miles north-west of Great Dunmow, in Essex. Chickney gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful inspection, photographs and a written report. Chickney is one of the towns and villages in Essex where we work for flat roof surveys. We also survey roofs in Chelmsford.
Every address in CM6 is covered for flat roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Neighbouring places we cover for flat roof surveys include Tilty (1 mile east), Duton Hill (1 mile east), Great Easton (2 miles south-east), Monk Street (2 miles north-east) and Sibley's Green (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Chelmsford (15 miles south-east), Braintree (11 miles east), Harlow (13 miles south-west), Saffron Walden (8 miles north), Halstead (14 miles east) and Great Dunmow (4 miles south-east).
Near you in Chickney
Chickney’s nearest station is Stansted Airport station, about 2.5 miles south-west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Little Easton Moat (2.4 miles south-east). Not far away are Portingbury Hills and Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve.
What you can safely check yourself
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
For landlords and managing agents
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Larger roofs take longer.
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget.