Essex · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Fordstreet, Essex
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings across Fordstreet, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Get in touch for a price.
- Signs of deflection in the roof deck
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Outlets that hold water back
Flat roof survey in Fordstreet: what you get
Many commercial buildings and blocks of flats have big flat roofs. On a roof like this, a survey shows where the covering is wearing, where water is ponding and which outlets need attention. The photographed record helps you plan and budget for work. We quote commercial roofs on their size and how they’re reached, so please call 07833 053749 or email us with the address and an idea of the roof’s size. We survey GRP fibreglass, upstands and outlets and felt flat roofs, and people most often book us about blocked or damaged outlets and ponding water that doesn’t drain away.
Flat roofs on exposed homes in small places like Fordstreet take more wind and rain, so edges, upstands and laps take a beating. Felt roofs, which often last around 15–20 years, typically show it first. Rubber and GRP last longer, though trims and joints still need a look. Exposed edges are typically the first part of a flat roof to go.
It is not only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Location
- Fordstreet (CO6)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Felt and built-up roofs
The edges and upstands of a felt roof are normally where trouble starts. We check each one and photograph any that have split or pulled away.
Single-ply membranes
Many offices, units and newer flats have a single-ply PVC or TPO roof. We check the welded laps, the edges, the fixings and any punctures.
Places near Fordstreet
Also in Fordstreet
Honest limits
Without opening up the roof, some things stay hidden, so a survey has limits:
- Testing older roof sheets for asbestos
- A promise that the roof will not leak in future
- Whether the deck or joists are strong enough
If you’re not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and does not.
Roofs we survey in Fordstreet
- GRP fibreglass
- Mastic asphalt
- Felt flat roofs
- Upstands and outlets
- Single-ply membranes
- EPDM rubber
Tips from our surveys
Getting the most from a flat roof survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Ask whoever fits equipment on the roof to make good the covering
- Check the outlets after the leaves fall
- Keep people off the roof unless they need to be there
- Keep records of when the roof was laid and what work has been done
Questions about the findings are always welcome. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation, giving you a chance to go through what we found.
Have the roof surveyed every few years, and after any work that goes through it. That catches changes early and builds up a record of the roof.
What we’re asked to look at in Fordstreet
The details are often where a flat roof lets go first. Upstands, edge trims, outlets and the kerbs around rooflights move and weather differently from the rest of the roof. If they were rushed when the roof was laid, they’re often the first things to fail.
Most people get in touch after spotting something like this:
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Standing water left after rain
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Upstands pulling away from walls
Anyone responsible for a site like Holy Trinity CofE Primary School will know that ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- What insurance they carry
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Will the report include photos?
Flat roof surveys in Fordstreet: local notes
Clay tiles and timber weatherboarding mark out many of the older buildings in Essex, and a good many post-war and modern estates besides. Flat roofs fill the gaps in between, on extensions, garages, dormers and business premises. Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. Re-roofing in different materials may need permission there.
For an older house near a landmark like Church of St Margaret and St Catherine, the joins between later flat roofs and the old walls are where problems typically start. For landlords with property near Chappel & Wakes Colne station, flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies.
Fordstreet is about 5 miles west of Colchester, in Essex. Bookings from Fordstreet are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Across Essex, we cover Fordstreet. Chelmsford is in our area too.
Surveys in CO6 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We cover properties on Ford Street, Fordstreet Hill and Ponders Road and the roads around them. Close by, we survey roofs in Rose Green (1 mile north-west), Chappel (2 miles north-west), Swan Street (2 miles west), Wakes Colne (2 miles north-west) and Great Tey (2 miles west). We also work in nearby towns such as Colchester (5 miles east), Braintree (10 miles west), Maldon (13 miles south), Witham (10 miles south-west), Camulodunum (4 miles south-east) and Halstead (7 miles west).
Landmarks near Fordstreet
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Queen's Head Public House and the streets around them. Fordstreet’s nearest station is Chappel & Wakes Colne station, about 1.8 miles north-west. A little further out are Essex County Hospital (4.4 miles east) and Mount Bures (3.6 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Iron Latch.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Fordstreet
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work.
Where a roof is shared: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Let us know about it when booking and we will plan the visit with that in mind.
How the survey works
Safety comes first on every visit. We inspect everything that’s safely in view, and if part of the roof cannot be seen, the report says so. The survey usually takes roughly 1–2 hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. For a village or hamlet like Fordstreet, the journey is planned beforehand: let us know about lanes, gates and parking. On the day, we inspect everything that’s safely in view, inside and out.
- 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.
- The covering is checked for wear, splits, blisters and standing water.
- 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
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
Getting a price
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Advice
Fordstreet: your questions answered
Do you cover smaller places like Fordstreet?
Yes, Fordstreet is covered. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned in advance.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Fordstreet?
Yes, Fordstreet is within the area we cover. Our area covers London and South East England. Just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us about the property.
Can you tell me how long my flat roof will last?
There’s 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 your report describes the actual condition.
Can you survey a flat roof on an office or unit?
Yes. Commercial and residential flat roofs are both covered. A commercial roof typically takes about 3 to 4 hours on site, longer if it is large or complex, with larger roofs quoted on their size.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day, which suits people who work during the week. Let us know your preferred days when booking.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Our three packages are Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, inc. VAT.