Essex · London and the South East
Great Waltham Flat Roof Survey
Independent flat roof surveys in Great Waltham. We have completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Leaks around rooflights
- Outlets that hold water back
- Splits, cracks and crazing
What we do, step by step
We look at the roof from outside and, where it is relevant and there is safe access, from inside the roof space too. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement, as far as the space allows. All in, the survey typically takes between one and two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. Cottages and farmhouses around Great Waltham frequently have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- First you give us the address, what the roof covers and any leaks you’ve noticed.
- We view the roof from ground level, from windows and from the roof where it is safe to do so.
- We check and photograph the covering, the falls, the upstands, the outlets, the trims and any rooflights.
- We check the rooms or spaces under the roof for staining where we can reach them.
- We send a written report with photos, the defects we found and what we recommend.
Before we arrive
- For flats, make sure roof access has been agreed
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
Getting a price
We confirm the exact price before booking, so you know where you stand. Flat roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. To book, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
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Flat roof survey in Great Waltham: what you get
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 survey single-ply membranes, GRP fibreglass and felt flat roofs, and people most often book us about splits, cracks and crazing and outlets that hold water back.
In a village or hamlet like Great Waltham, flat roofs are normally on extensions, garages, outbuildings or barn conversions. They need the same care as any town roof: the covering, the edges, the upstands and where water drains away. The journey and access are planned beforehand. If there are outbuildings or garages with flat roofs, mention them as you book.
Pictures do a lot of the work in our reports, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Where
- Great Waltham (CM3)
- Region
- Essex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What a flat roof survey looks like in Great Waltham
Older buildings in Essex frequently have clay tiles and weatherboarding, and a good many post-war and modern estates besides. Mixed in with those pitched roofs are lots of flat ones, over rear extensions, dormers, garages and shops. Before planning roof work on an older home, find out whether it is listed or in a conservation area. Listed building consent covers changes to a listed building’s special interest, and an Article 4 direction can bring extra controls in a conservation area.
For an older house near a landmark like Church of SS Mary and Laurence, the flat roofs on later extensions tend to wear out long before the main roof. If you let a flat or house near Beaulieu Park station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint. For site and facilities teams at buildings like Chelmer Valley High School, large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
Great Waltham is about 4 miles north of Chelmsford, in Essex. Anywhere in Great Waltham, we can come and survey your property. Our Essex coverage includes Great Waltham.
All of CM3 is within our area for flat roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Whether your property is on Brook Mead, Cherry Garden Road and Chelmsford Road or a nearby road, we can help. Nearby, we also carry out flat roof surveys in Breeds (1 mile south-west), Minnow End (1 mile south-east), Little Waltham (1 mile south-east), Broomfield (2 miles south-east) and Chignall Smealy (2 miles south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Chelmsford (4 miles south), Basildon (15 miles south), Braintree (8 miles north-east), Harlow (15 miles west), Brentwood (13 miles south-west) and Maldon (11 miles south-east).
What’s near Great Waltham
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Beehive pub, among other places. Great Waltham’s nearest station is Beaulieu Park station, about 3.7 miles south-east. A little further out are Broomfield Hospital (1.4 miles south). Not far away are Little Waltham Meadows.
Prices for flat roof surveys in Great Waltham
Our packages start from £150, inc. VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package you pick makes a difference too. The price is always agreed first.
Getting in touch
To price your survey accurately, we will ask about:
- The property’s address and postcode
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- The kind of building and roof involved
Flat roof survey starts 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 get it checked now?
Standing water on a flat roof rarely sorts itself out. It usually points to an outlet, the falls or a sagging deck, and every wet spell adds to the wear. Finding the cause now keeps more options open. Older cottages and farmhouses around Great Waltham can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it’s left.
Prices start 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 you get with us
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- PI and public liability insurance
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- Photos and a written report every time
Read what a roof survey costs and what we found on two real jobs.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
It’s useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Send it with your enquiry.
Nearby places to Great Waltham
What else we do in Great Waltham
What we can’t see
This isn’t a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- The condition of the deck or insulation hidden under the covering
- Whether the deck or joists are strong enough
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
What we look at
- Upstands and outlets
- Single-ply membranes
- GRP fibreglass
- EPDM rubber
- Felt flat roofs
- Mastic asphalt
Common questions in Great Waltham
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Great Waltham?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Do you cover Great Waltham?
Yes. Our area covers London and South East England, and Great Waltham is part of that. Just call 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know about the property.
Do you look for flat roof leaks?
We check the covering and every detail where leaks commonly start, recording anything that could let water through. Where the source isn’t obvious, a roof leak investigation or electronic leak detection may be the next step.
Do you need to get into the loft?
If there’s a loft and safe access to it, yes. The loft space can show things the outside can’t, such as damp timbers, staining or daylight.
Can you survey any kind of flat roof?
We survey felt and built-up roofs, mastic asphalt, EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass and single-ply PVC and TPO. If you don’t know what your roof is, we will identify it on the day.
Will you walk on the flat roof?
It depends on what’s safe: on the roof where it’s safe, and from windows, nearby vantage points and inside. Fragile rooflights and fragile sheets are never walked on.
How long does the survey take?
Most surveys take an hour or two at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. We’ll confirm the timing when you book.
Different roofs, different checks
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.
Rooflights and upstands
Rooflights and fragile sheets are never walked on. We view them from safe positions and photograph what we see.