Essex · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Higham, Essex
A careful look at the flat roof at your property in Higham, and put it all in a photo-illustrated written report.
- Pools of water lying on the roof
- Splits and cracks in the covering
- Outlets that hold water back
About our flat roof survey in Higham
Each flat roof is looked at from the safest viewpoints we have: on the roof where it’s safe, from windows and higher ground, and from the rooms below where we can reach them. Fragile rooflights and fragile sheets are never walked on. If part of the roof cannot be seen or reached safely, the report says so, so you know exactly what was covered. Typical surveys look at edge trims that have lifted or split and blistering in felt or asphalt, on mastic asphalt, upstands and outlets and GRP fibreglass.
Some older homes in villages like Higham are listed or in a conservation area, and that can affect how an extension roof or dormer is re-covered. Check with the council before planning any change of material. Finding out what state the roof is in gives you the facts to plan with. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photographs, sent by email. It explains the condition of the flat roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Where
- Higham (CO7)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
The survey, step by step
It helps to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. Most visits take about one to two hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof. Older roofs in small places like Higham can have low, tight loft spaces, so it’s useful to know whether there’s a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- You send us the address and, for commercial roofs, an idea of the roof’s size.
- We check the rooms or spaces under the roof for staining where there’s access.
- The roof is inspected from every safe viewpoint, without walking on fragile surfaces.
- We record every defect with a photo and its likely cause.
- The report explains the condition and recommends what to do first.
Before the survey
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we are coming
Arrange a survey
To get a price for flat roof surveys in Higham, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. Some details about the property and the roof help us give you an accurate price.
Read more
What we can’t see
We only report whatever is safely visible on the day, so there are some things a survey can’t cover:
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
- A structural engineer’s assessment of the deck
- Fragile surfaces, which we do not walk on
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll recommend the right survey before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Higham
- Felt flat roofs
- Mastic asphalt
- EPDM rubber
- GRP fibreglass
- Upstands and outlets
- Single-ply membranes
Surveys for landlords and agents in Higham
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which can make access easier.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Larger roofs take longer.
What we’re asked to look at in Higham
Many flat roof problems start at the details rather than the main surface. 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 frequently the first things to fail.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- A sagging deck under the covering
- Leaks around rooflights
- Outlets that hold water back
For landlords with property near Manningtree station, a flat roof over a rented flat is easy to forget until the tenant reports a leak.
Questions to ask before booking
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Their insurance cover
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- Whether VAT is added on top
Also near Higham
What else we do in Higham
Flat roofs in Higham
Higham is within about 5 miles of the coast, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. On a flat roof near the sea, edge trims and upstands take the brunt of the wind, and metal parts corrode faster. In Essex, older buildings are frequently clay-tiled, many with weatherboarding, and plenty of post-war and modern estates besides. Next to the main roofs there’s typically a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
The streets around a church such as Church of St Mary are often among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, any flat roof added at the back or on a dormer is likely to be far younger, and less durable, than the main roof. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Stratford St Mary Primary School, large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly.
Higham is about 7 miles north-east of Colchester, in Essex. We cover Higham and the rest of Essex, as part of our work across London and South East England. Higham is one of the towns and villages in Essex where we work. There’s also a page for Chelmsford.
We work across CO7 for flat roof surveys. Other places close to Higham include Stratford St Mary (1 mile south-east), Thorington Street (1 mile west), Holton St Mary (2 miles north-east), Withermarsh Green (2 miles north-west) and Dedham (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Colchester (7 miles south-west), Clacton-on-Sea (15 miles south-east), Harwich (13 miles east), Camulodunum (8 miles south-west), Halstead (14 miles west) and Greenstead (6 miles south).
Near you in Higham
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Swan Inn, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Manningtree station, about 4.2 miles south-east. Nearby you’ll also find Severalls Hospital (5.2 miles south-west) and Little Wenham Castle (3.6 miles north-east). Not far away are Cattawade Marshes.
Checking the roof from ground level
You can learn a lot from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
It helps to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Share it with us as you book, as it helps us focus the survey.
Why it is worth a survey now in Higham
Waiting for a stain inside means the water has already got through the layers. We can pick up worn covering and failing details sooner, while there’s still time to plan the work. Matching old materials, such as handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. That’s one more reason to find defects before they become urgent.
Prices start from £150, including VAT, for a Basic Survey. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both inc. VAT. You’ll know the exact price before booking.
Why book us in Higham
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- 98% customer satisfaction
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Every finding written up with photos
Read how roof surveys are priced and our case studies.
Questions from Higham
How do I find out if my home in Higham is listed?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Higham?
Yes, coastal weather is harder on roofs: there’s more wind, and more salt in the air. Ridges, verges, flashings and fixings are where it usually shows, and Higham is within about 5 miles of the coast.
Will I get photos?
Yes. The report includes photos of what we found, so you can see exactly what each finding refers to.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
Can you tell me how long my flat roof will last?
We do not put a figure on it. As a guide, felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM often 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30, but your report describes the actual condition.
Can you survey a flat roof on an office or unit?
Yes. Offices, units, shops and blocks of flats are all part of our work. Larger commercial roofs are quoted for their size and access, so please phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.
Can you find where water is getting through my flat roof?
We check the covering and every detail where leaks commonly start, and photograph anything that could be letting water in. Where the source is not obvious, a roof leak investigation or electronic leak detection may be the next step.