Greater London · London and the South East
Flat roof survey in Ilford, Greater London
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings for Ilford and the rest of Greater London. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
- Splits, cracks and crazing
- Blocked or damaged outlets
- Pools of water lying on the roof
Flat roof survey in Ilford: what you get
Our Basic Survey, from £150, gives you a visual inspection with photos and written recommendations. For moisture detection and a structural check, the Standard Survey starts from £250. On a flat roof, moisture readings can help show whether water has got under the covering. Bigger commercial roofs are priced on their size and access. Typical surveys look at failed upstands where the roof meets a wall and failed seals around rooflight kerbs, on EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass and upstands and outlets.
London has a lot of flat roofs: rear additions, dormers, roof terraces and the roofs of blocks and offices. Coverings range from felt and asphalt to EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass and single-ply membranes, and each fails in its own way. In Ilford, as anywhere in London, the right approach depends on what the roof is made of. Older flat roofs are often felt or asphalt, newer ones rubber or GRP.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Where
- Ilford (IG1, IG3, IG2, E12)
- Region
- Greater London
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Landlord and commercial surveys in Ilford
We survey roofs for landlords and letting agents as well as householders. A written report with photographs gives you a clear record of the flat roof.
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps when budgeting.
Common roof problems in Ilford
Flat roofs swing between hot and cold more than most parts of a building. That movement pulls at seams, laps and the joints between boards, and in time it can open up splits and cracks. Older coverings that have lost their flexibility are the most likely to suffer.
Look out for signs like these:
- Ponding water that does not drain away
- Loose or cracked edge trims
- Failed upstands where the roof meets a wall
- Splits, cracks and crazing
If you own a rental within reach of Ilford station, flat roofs on let property tend to be checked only when they fail, which is the costly way round.
Before booking anyone
- Whether VAT is added on top
- What the report includes, and whether it has photographs
- What follow-up you get after the report
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
Places near Ilford
More services for Ilford
When you need someone else
Our survey is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Whether the deck or joists are strong enough
- A fixed date for when the roof will need replacing
- What’s under the membrane without opening it up
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will suggest the right survey. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- GRP fibreglass
- Felt flat roofs
- Upstands and outlets
- EPDM rubber
- Single-ply membranes
- Mastic asphalt
DIY checks: what’s safe
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 part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Flat roofs cannot usually be seen from the street, so they’re often overlooked. Many owners only find out a roof is worn out when water comes through. Regular surveys mean it won’t come as a surprise. A hidden valley or parapet gutter on a London house can hold water for weeks before anyone notices. When the stain finally shows, the damage underneath is often older than it looks.
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the report is not charged as an extra. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Why book us in Ilford
- 98% of clients satisfied
- An independent look at the roof
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
Read what a roof survey costs and our case studies.
Questions from Ilford
Can parking be tricky for a visit in Ilford?
It rarely stops a survey, but it is worth planning. Let us know what parking is available nearby, and the visit is planned around it.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Ilford?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Will you photograph what you find?
Yes, plenty. Pictures sit next to the findings they show, so you can see what we mean.
What does the report include?
A written report with photographs, explaining the condition of the flat roof, any defects and our recommendations, in order of urgency where relevant. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check, and the Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable and structural analysis.
What does ponding on a flat roof mean?
Standing water on a flat roof deserves a closer look. It often means a blocked outlet, poor falls or a dipping deck, and it wears the covering faster. We record where it sits and the likely cause.
How do you inspect a flat roof?
We inspect from wherever is safe: the roof itself where that is safe, plus windows, vantage points and the rooms below. Fragile rooflights and fragile sheets are never walked on.
What do I do with the report?
You will receive the report by email, and what you do next is up to you: use it with a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent.
How it works
Photographs are taken throughout the visit, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe. A typical visit takes between one and two hours for an extension, garage or dormer roof, and around 3–4 hours for a commercial flat roof. 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. Mention any building rules, key holders or managing agents when you book.
- First we go through the roof, what’s beneath it and any problems so far.
- We look at the roof from the ground, windows and the roof where it’s safe.
- The covering is checked for wear, splits, blisters and standing water.
- Upstands, outlets, edge trims and rooflights are checked and photographed.
- The report, with photos and recommendations, comes to you by email.
Before we arrive
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
Getting a price
We survey roofs on weekdays and at weekends. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Related advice
Flat and commercial roofs around Ilford
Historic houses like Valentines Mansion, about 0.9 miles north-west, show how far back building in the area around Ilford goes. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. Within a mile and a half or so of Ilford there are several hotels, and hotels, like offices and blocks of flats, often have flat roofs. For hotels and other commercial buildings, finding the cause of a flat roof leak quickly keeps rooms in use.
If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near St Alban's Church, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking. If you run a business near Gallions Reach Shopping Park, a flat roof over a business is out of sight and out of mind until it leaks.
Ilford is about 4 miles east of Leyton, in Greater London. Surveys in Ilford work the same way as everywhere we cover: a careful inspection, photos and a written report. Our area takes in places right across Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. We also survey roofs in London.
Here we cover the IG1, IG3, IG2 and E12 postcode area for flat roof surveys. If you need a flat roof survey at a property on Station Road, Axon Place and Hainault Street or a nearby road, we can help. Being close to the A118, Ilford is easy for us to reach for flat roof surveys. Neighbouring places we cover for flat roof surveys include Cranbrook (1 mile north-west), Loxford (1 mile south), Seven Kings (1 mile north-east), Manor Park (1 mile south-west) and Little Ilford (1 mile south-west). Further out, we also cover London (8 miles south-west), City of Westminster (10 miles west), Marylebone (10 miles west), Kensington (13 miles west), St Pancras (9 miles west) and Shoreditch (7 miles west).
What’s near Ilford
In Ilford, that means homes and buildings near Great Spoon of Ilford pub, The Ursuline Academy Ilford and South Park, among other places. Ilford has its own railway station: Ilford station. Nearby you’ll also find Gallions Reach Shopping Park (3.5 miles south) and Redbridge Museum (less than half a mile south-west). Open spaces near Ilford include Hollow Pond and Ripple Nature Reserve.