Greater London · London and the South East
Highgate Flat Roof Survey
Find out what’s going on with the flat roof before you decide what to do next. Flat roof surveys in Highgate.
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
- Signs of deflection in the roof deck
What this survey cannot tell you
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- What’s under the membrane without opening it up
- Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor
- A structural engineer’s assessment of the deck
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will recommend the right survey. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Highgate
- Upstands and outlets
- Single-ply membranes
- Felt flat roofs
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
- EPDM rubber
How a flat roof survey works in Highgate
A flat roof survey looks at the covering, the edges, the outlets and the details where the roof meets walls and rooflights. Felt, asphalt, EPDM, GRP and single-ply PVC or TPO roofs are all part of the work. It suits a small roof over an extension or garage as well as a large one over flats, offices or units. You get a written report with photographs and our recommendations. We survey mastic asphalt, felt flat roofs and GRP fibreglass, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are failed seals around rooflight kerbs and signs of deflection in the roof deck.
Water getting through a flat roof in London can travel under the covering and appear some way from the hole. Upstands against parapets, outlets and the edge where flat meets pitched are common entry points. In a converted house in Highgate, the roof above may belong to the building rather than one flat.
Most points in the report come with a picture, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Place
- Highgate (N6, N19, NW5)
- Wider area
- Greater London
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Local flat roofs in Highgate
Inner London’s Victorian and Edwardian terraces frequently have Welsh slate roofs. Many have butterfly roofs draining to a central valley gutter, with parapet walls and gutters hidden behind them. Lead flashings, party-wall upstands and shared chimney stacks are typical of these houses, if yours is one of them. Flat roofs on extensions, dormers, garages and business units are found alongside them almost everywhere. Historic houses such as Witanhurst, about 0.4 miles south-west, show how far back building in the area around Highgate goes. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
For an older house near a landmark such as Highgate United Reformed Church, 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 a London address like Highgate, it is useful to know about controlled parking before the day, along with any off-street space. Anyone responsible for a site like St Michael's Church of England Primary School will know that a large flat roof with lots of outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail.
Highgate is about 2 miles north-east of Hampstead, in Greater London. Highgate gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful look at whatever is safely visible, photographs and a clear written report. Highgate is one of the places in Greater London where we work.
We survey roofs across the N6, N19 and NW5 postcode area for flat roof surveys. If you need a flat roof survey at a property on Wood Lane, Grange Road and Talbot Road or a nearby road, we can survey it. We also cover the places around Highgate: Upper Holloway (1 mile south-east), Dartmouth Park (1 mile south), Lissenden Gardens (1 mile south), Crouch End (1 mile north-east) and Tufnell Park (1 mile south-east). Further out, we also cover London (5 miles south-east), City of Westminster (4 miles south), Marylebone (4 miles south), Kensington (6 miles south-west), St Pancras (3 miles south) and Shoreditch (4 miles south-east).
What’s near Highgate
In Highgate, that means homes and buildings near The Angel Inn, St Aloysius RC College and Whittington Park, among other places. For rail, the closest station is Upper Holloway station, about 0.9 miles south-east of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Highgate Private Hospital (0.6 miles north-west) and Montfichet's Tower (4.4 miles south-east). Not far away are Darland's Lake and Parkland Walk.
How the survey changes by roof type
GRP fibreglass
GRP roofs are laid as a resin and glass-fibre layer over boards. The survey checks for cracking at board joints, at the edge trims and where the roof meets walls.
Rooflights and upstands
Upstands at walls and parapets need to stay watertight as the building moves. We check for splits, gaps and loose flashings above the upstand.
Common questions in Highgate
How do I find out if my home in Highgate is listed?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Will parking be an issue for a roof survey in Highgate?
Parking in Highgate, as in most of London, takes a little planning: a visitor permit or a bay close to the door helps a lot, so mention what’s available as you book.
Can you survey in bad weather?
A survey can usually go ahead in light rain. High wind or heavy rain can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we’ll agree a new date if the weather is not suitable.
How much does a flat roof survey cost in Highgate?
Prices start from £150, including VAT. You will know the price for your roof before booking, and it depends on the roof’s size, access and the package you choose. To get a price, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Do you need to get into the loft?
If the survey needs it and the loft space can be reached safely, yes. Please clear anything stored under the hatch, and if the loft can’t be reached safely, the report says so.
Do you cover flat roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. We survey flat roofs on commercial buildings as well as homes. Expect about 3 to 4 hours on site for most commercial roofs, and larger roofs are quoted for their size.
Does the report include photographs?
Yes. Photographs are taken throughout the survey, and the report uses them to show each finding.
Tips from our surveys
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Check from a window for ponding after heavy rain
- Plan a survey before the covering reaches the end of its usual life
- Keep records of when the roof was laid and what work has been done
- Keep clear of rooflights and fragile roof sheets
Questions about the findings are always welcome. Standard Surveys come with a follow-up consultation, and Premium Surveys with an in-person one, so you can talk the findings through.
Keep outlets, gutters and hoppers clear, especially after the leaves fall. Water that can drain away does far less harm than water that sits.
Places near Highgate
Other services in Highgate
The survey, step by step
We look at the roof from outside and, where it is relevant and there’s safe access, from inside the loft 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 an hour or two for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. Many London properties are flats or terraces with no side access, so the back of the roof is often seen from upstairs windows, from inside or, where a flight is allowed, from the air. If the building has a managing agent or access rules, tell us when you book.
- We start with the address and, on larger roofs, the roof area and access.
- 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.
- You get a report setting out the condition and our recommendations, in order of urgency.
Preparing for the visit
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Booking a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
What you can safely check yourself
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That is where a survey comes in, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Prices for flat roof surveys in Highgate
To price your survey, we look at:
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Booking your survey
If you can, have these to hand when you get in touch:
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- The address and postcode of the property
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- Dates you are working to, such as exchange
Every survey is priced before it is booked, so you know where you stand. Our price is from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.