Essex · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in East Hanningfield, Essex
Get a clear view of the flat roof at a property in East Hanningfield. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Outlets that hold water back
- Standing water left after rain
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
About our flat roof survey in East Hanningfield
Each type of flat roof has its own weak points. Felt can blister and crack, asphalt can craze and split, EPDM seams and laps can lift, and GRP can crack where boards meet or at the trims. Single-ply PVC and TPO roofs are checked at their welds, edges and fixings. Knowing what you have and how it’s doing helps you plan what comes next. We’re frequently asked to look into edge trims that have lifted or split and outlets choked with leaves and silt, on GRP fibreglass, mastic asphalt and upstands and outlets.
In a small place like East Hanningfield, a flat roof can stand in the open, which is hard on edges, upstands and joins in the covering. Older felt roofs, frequently around 15–20 years in life, show it first. Rubber and GRP last longer, though trims and joints still need a look. On an exposed roof, the edges tend to go first.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- East Hanningfield (CM3)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Different roofs, different checks
Rooflights and upstands
Upstands at walls and parapets need to stay watertight as the building moves. We look for splits, gaps and failed flashings over the top.
Felt and built-up roofs
Built-up felt is one of the most common flat roof coverings on extensions, garages and dormers. The survey checks for blisters, cracks, open laps and bare patches where the surfacing has worn.
What this survey cannot tell you
Before booking, it’s worth knowing what a survey will not do:
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
- Fragile surfaces, which we do not walk on
- A structural engineer’s assessment of the deck
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll recommend the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
- EPDM rubber
- Felt flat roofs
- Upstands and outlets
- Single-ply membranes
Flat roofs in East Hanningfield
The wider area around East Hanningfield has a long history of building, with Danbury Place about 2.4 miles north. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. Weatherboarded walls and clay tile roofs are typical of older Essex buildings, alongside a good many post-war and newer estates. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere.
Landlords with a home close to South Woodham Ferrers station may find that flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round. If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Church of All Saints, later flat-roofed additions are common on older houses, and their edges and upstands frequently show the first signs of wear.
East Hanningfield is about 5 miles south-east of Chelmsford, in Essex. In East Hanningfield, as across Essex, every roof gets the same careful survey. East Hanningfield is one of the towns and villages in Essex where we work for flat roof surveys.
Every address in CM3 is covered for flat roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Streets in the area include Old Church Road, Ashley Green and Nicholson Place. Neighbouring places we cover for flat roof surveys include Bicknacre (1 mile north-east), Woodham Ferrers (2 miles east), Rettendon (2 miles south), Howe Green (2 miles north-west) and Coalhill (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Chelmsford (5 miles north-west), Basildon (9 miles south-west), Braintree (14 miles north), Brentwood (12 miles west), Maldon (6 miles north-east) and Canvey Island (11 miles south).
Landmarks near East Hanningfield
For rail, the closest station is South Woodham Ferrers station, about 3 miles south-east. Well-known places in the area include Baddow Hospital (3 miles north-west) and Battlesbridge Motorcycle Museum (4 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Hanningfield Reservoir.
Useful tips for East Hanningfield property owners
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner, before and after a survey:
- Keep records of when the roof was laid and what work has been done
- Have the roof looked at again after a severe storm
- Check ceilings under the roof for damp patches
- Check that new brackets or units haven’t damaged the covering
The report is emailed to you, ready to share with a roofer, the seller or a managing agent. It is written in plain English, with a photograph of each defect, so others can follow it without going up to look.
Clear leaves and silt from outlets and gutters, above all in autumn. A flat roof that drains well wears much more slowly.
Common questions in East Hanningfield
Is my home in East Hanningfield listed or in a conservation area?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Do you carry out roof surveys in East Hanningfield?
Yes, East Hanningfield is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in East Hanningfield as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
Does a flat roof survey replace a RICS survey?
No. Our survey covers the flat roof only. It isn’t a RICS Level 2 or 3 survey of the whole building, and it is not a structural engineer’s report. It often sits alongside a buyer’s building survey.
How many years has my flat roof got left?
There is no honest way to give an exact number of years. Typical ranges are around 15 to 20 years for felt, 30 to 50 for EPDM and up to about 30 for GRP, but the report tells you how your roof is really doing.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it’s applicable. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules. We are a CAA-registered drone operator.
How much is a survey?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The final figure depends on the roof and the package you choose, and it is agreed before booking.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. We’re roof surveyors, not structural engineers. If we see signs that need an engineer’s opinion, we will recommend one.
Common roof problems in East Hanningfield
The details are often where a flat roof lets go first. Upstands, trims, outlets and rooflight kerbs each move and weather in their own way. If they were rushed when the roof was laid, they’re frequently the first things to fail.
Most people get in touch after spotting something like this:
- Outlets that hold water back
- A sagging deck under the covering
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Splits, cracks and crazing
If you look after a building such as East Hanningfield Church of England Primary School, schools and public buildings frequently have big flat roofs, and their outlets and upstands need regular checks.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- What they will not be able to tell you
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
Also near East Hanningfield
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The survey, step by step
Photos are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available. Most surveys take about one to two hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. Somewhere like East Hanningfield needs a little journey planning: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it’s safe.
- 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.
- 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.
Getting ready for the survey
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Keep pets in another room
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
Book a survey
If you are buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just call 07833 053749 or email us when you’re ready.
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Surveys for landlords and agents in East Hanningfield
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out with the most urgent first where relevant, which helps with budgets and planning.
Where a roof is shared: we need access agreed with the freeholder or managing agent. Let us know about it as you book and we will plan the survey around it.