Roof surveys across London and the South East 07833 053749info@independentroofsurvey.co.uk

Greater London · London and the South East

Hornchurch Flat Roof Survey

An experienced roof surveyor for flat roof surveys in Hornchurch. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.

  • Outlets that hold water back
  • Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
  • Upstands pulling away from walls

Independent flat roof surveys in Hornchurch

About our flat roof survey in Hornchurch

Offices, shops, industrial units and blocks of flats often sit under large flat roofs. A survey of a roof this size picks out worn covering, standing water and outlets that need attention. We record the condition with photographs so work can be planned and budgeted. Commercial roofs are quoted for their size and access, so please phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and an idea of the roof’s size. If you’re worried about standing water left after rain and gaps at upstands and abutments, a survey will tell you what’s going on, on upstands and outlets, GRP fibreglass and single-ply membranes alike.

On a London roof terrace or a flat roof over a back addition, water frequently runs under the covering before it shows. Upstands against parapets, outlets and the edge where flat meets pitched are common entry points. In a block or conversion in Hornchurch, the flat roof is frequently a shared part of the building.

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.

Illustration of a flat roof with standing water being looked at through a magnifying glass
Location
Hornchurch (RM12, RM11, RM14, RM1)
Wider area
Greater London
Price
From £150 inc. VAT
Reports
A written report with photos, by email
Appointments
Monday to Sunday, daytime
Insurance
Professional indemnity and public liability
Telephone
07833 053749
Page updated
27 October 2026

What we look for on each type of roof

EPDM rubber

Lifting at the edges and loose areas of membrane are common EPDM problems. We record any we can see, with photographs.

Mastic asphalt

With age, asphalt can harden and crack with movement. The report shows where it’s cracking and how far it seems to extend.

Surveys for landlords and agents in Hornchurch

Where a roof is shared: we need access agreed with the freeholder or managing agent. Let us know about it when you book and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.

With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.

Tips from our surveys

From years of surveys, a few habits stand out:

  • Ask whoever fits equipment on the roof to make good the covering
  • Check ceilings under the roof for damp patches
  • Keep outlets clear of leaves and moss
  • File the paperwork for the roof and any repairs

Buyers can take the findings back to the seller or the agent. You might ask for work to be done before completion, or discuss the price, depending on what we found.

Book a survey every few years, and again after new fixings, units or rooflights go in. You will spot changes early and have a record to look back on.

Common questions in Hornchurch

Is my home in Hornchurch listed or in a conservation area?

We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.

Do you carry out roof surveys in Hornchurch?

Yes, Hornchurch is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Hornchurch as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.

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 you book.

How much does a flat roof survey cost in Hornchurch?

Our price is from £150, including VAT. We confirm 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, call 07833 053749 or email us.

What do I do with the report?

We email you the written report with photos and recommendations. It is yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.

Does the weather affect the survey?

It can, depending on the survey. Drones cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and thermal imaging works best with a dry roof, little wind and a sunny day beforehand. We will rearrange with you if the weather is not right.

Can you find where water is getting through my flat roof?

We check the whole roof, since water can travel before it shows inside. Splits, open laps, upstands, outlets and rooflights are all checked. Where nothing visible explains the leak, the report says what to try next.

Prices for flat roof surveys in Hornchurch

All our prices include VAT. What changes the price is:

  • The use of thermal imaging or a drone
  • The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
  • The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
  • How big the roof is

One thing that affects the price is the package: from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, inc. VAT. Size, height and access can affect the price too.

What we need to know

The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, let us know:

  • How the loft is reached, if there is one
  • The kind of building and roof involved
  • The address and postcode of the property
  • Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window

Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine, and please do not climb up for a closer look. To send them or to book, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.

How the survey works

We’ll ask a few questions first, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. Then the inspection itself takes between one and two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. In a London area like Hornchurch, the main things to sort out are parking and access: let us know about permits, visitor bays or off-street space, which floor the property is on and how to get into the loft. On the day, the roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from inside the loft space and from the roof where it is safe.

  1. We agree the roof to be surveyed, its use and any leaks you know about.
  2. The roof is viewed from safe positions, including the roof itself where that is safe.
  3. The covering is checked for wear, splits, blisters and standing water.
  4. Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
  5. The report, with photographs and recommendations, comes to you by email.

Getting ready for the survey

  • Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
  • Check pets are kept safely away
  • Tell us about parking before the day

How to book

A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: call 07833 053749 or send us an email, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.

Book a survey

Read more

Flat and commercial roofs around Hornchurch

In outer London, interwar semis with hipped, tiled roofs sit alongside older slate-roofed terraces. On a semi of that age, the small roofs over the bays, the hip tiles and any later dormer each need their own look. Flat roofs fill the gaps in between, on extensions, garages, dormers and business premises. The wider area around Hornchurch has a long history of building, with Hare Hall about 1.8 miles north. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years.

Anyone responsible for a site like Langtons Infant School will know that a large flat roof with lots of outlets and rooflights has many places where a membrane can fail. As a London address, Hornchurch can be tricky for parking: a visitor permit or a nearby bay makes the day easier. Shop and office owners around The Brewery may find that outlets and upstands on commercial flat roofs are the places to check before trouble starts.

Hornchurch is about 6 miles south-west of Brentwood, in Greater London. Surveys in Hornchurch work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful look at what can safely be seen, photos and a clear written report. Hornchurch is one of the places in Greater London where we work. Our London page covers surveys nearby.

We cover every part of RM12, RM11, RM14 and RM1 for flat roof surveys. We offer flat roof surveys to properties on High Street, The Avenue and Stanley Road. Being close to the A125, Hornchurch is simple for us to get to. Other places close to Hornchurch include Upminster Bridge (1 mile east), Heath Park (1 mile north-west), Emerson Park (1 mile north-east), Hacton (2 miles south) and Ardleigh Green (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover London (14 miles west), St Pancras (14 miles west), Shoreditch (13 miles west), Walthamstow (10 miles west), Hoxton (13 miles west) and Whitechapel (13 miles west).

Around Hornchurch

Typical jobs here are in homes near Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College, J.J. Moon's pub and St. Andrew's Park and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Emerson Park station, about 0.7 miles north of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Upminster Tithe Barn Museum of Nostalgia (1.9 miles east) and The Brewery (1.8 miles north-west). The countryside around Hornchurch includes Hornchurch Cutting.

Map of Hornchurch © OpenStreetMap contributors

When you need someone else

Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:

  • Whether the deck or joists are strong enough
  • Hidden layers beneath the covering
  • Asbestos testing, which needs a specialist asbestos surveyor

If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll suggest the right survey. What a survey covers and doesn’t.

What we look at

  • Single-ply membranes
  • Mastic asphalt
  • EPDM rubber
  • Felt flat roofs
  • GRP fibreglass
  • Upstands and outlets
20+ yearsRoof survey experience
5,000+ surveys98% customer satisfaction
Drones and thermal imagingCAA-registered drone operator
Fully insuredProfessional indemnity and public liability
Reports from £150Prices include VAT