Greater London · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Richmond
Not sure what state the flat roof is in? You can book a flat roof survey in Richmond and across Greater London, with plain-English findings.
- Standing water left after rain
- Splits and cracks in the covering
- Gaps at upstands and abutments
Flat roof survey in Richmond
Flat roofs deal with rain in a very different way from pitched ones. 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 look for signs that water has reached the deck. The aim is to find problems before they show up as a stain on a ceiling. Typical surveys look at splits and cracks in the covering and standing water left after rain, on single-ply membranes, felt flat roofs and EPDM rubber.
Water getting through a flat roof in London can travel under the covering and appear some way from the hole. Outlets, upstands against parapet walls and joins with the main roof are frequent culprits. In a converted house in Richmond, the roof above may belong to the building rather than one flat.
Where we can’t see part of the flat roof, the report says so. That way, it is clear what was covered and what wasn’t.
- Where
- Richmond (TW9, TW1, TW10)
- Region
- Greater London
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What a flat roof survey doesn’t cover
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- Structural calculations, which need a structural engineer
- Hidden layers beneath the covering
- Fragile surfaces, which we do not walk on
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will point you to the right survey before booking. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Felt flat roofs
- EPDM rubber
- Single-ply membranes
- Upstands and outlets
- Mastic asphalt
- GRP fibreglass
What we look for on each type of roof
Rooflights and upstands
Where a flat roof meets a wall, the upstand has to stay sealed as the building moves. We check for splits, gaps and loose flashings above the upstand.
EPDM rubber
An EPDM rubber roof is usually one large sheet, bonded to the deck. The survey looks at laps, edge trims, corners and signs of puncture.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Watch the gutters in a downpour, from a window or the ground. Overflowing water can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
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.
Flat and commercial roofs around Richmond
With Pembroke Lodge about 1 mile south, Richmond sits in an area with a long building history. 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. Alongside Victorian and Edwardian terraces, outer London has a great many interwar semis, frequently with hipped roofs of clay or concrete tiles. If your home in Richmond is one of them, bay roofs, hips and later dormers each have their own details. Next to the main roofs there’s usually a flat roof somewhere, whether on an extension, a garage or a commercial unit.
If you live in an older home near The Vineyard Church, later flat-roofed additions are common on older houses, and their edges and upstands often show the first signs of wear. A roof leak in a hotel or guest house around Richmond means lost rooms as well as repairs. Anyone responsible for a site like The Vineyard School will know that ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season.
Richmond is about 5 miles south-west of Kensington, in Greater London. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Richmond can all book flat roof surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. We cover towns and villages across Greater London, large and small. For surveys nearby, see our London page.
Every address in TW9, TW1 and TW10 is covered for flat roof surveys. Whether your property is on Kew Road, Dee Road and Park Road or a nearby road, we can survey it. Nearby, we also carry out flat roof surveys in Petersham (1 mile south), St Margarets (1 mile west), Eel Pie Island (1 mile south-west), Ham (1 mile south) and Isleworth (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns such as London (9 miles east), City of Westminster (8 miles north-east), Marylebone (8 miles north-east), Kensington (5 miles north-east), St Pancras (9 miles north-east) and Shoreditch (11 miles north-east).
Around Richmond
In Richmond, that means homes and buildings near The Victoria pub, Christ's Church of England Comprehensive Secondary School and Terrace and Buccleuch Gardens and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Richmond station, about 0.5 miles north of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Eel Pie Island Museum (1.2 miles south-west) and South Middlesex Hospital (1.6 miles west). Not far away are Richmond Hill and Ham Lands.
Also near Richmond
Also in Richmond
Landlord and commercial surveys in Richmond
Where a roof is shared: we need access agreed with the freeholder or managing agent. Mention it when you get in touch and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
If you own several properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Caught early, a split or open seam in a flat roof is frequently a small repair. Leave it, and water can get into the insulation and deck, which can turn a patch into a replacement. Surveying it now tells you where you stand. A hidden valley or parapet gutter on a London house can hold water for weeks before anyone notices. By the time a ceiling stains, the timbers underneath may have been wet for a while.
Price depends partly on the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all with VAT included. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
What you get with us
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- 98% of clients satisfied
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- Surveys seven days a week
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and our case studies.
How the survey works
Every visit follows the same pattern: we hear what you’ve seen, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photos as we go and record our findings for the written report. It normally takes about one to two hours at most homes, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. 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.
- The report explains the condition and recommends what to do first.
Before the survey
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Getting a price
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so there is time to use the report before exchange. For any other survey, just ring 07833 053749 or send us an email when you are ready.
Advice
Common questions in Richmond
Will parking be an issue for a roof survey in Richmond?
In much of London, parking needs planning: a visitor permit or a nearby bay makes the day run more smoothly, so mention what’s available as you book.
How do I find out if my home in Richmond is listed?
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.
What do I do with the report?
You will receive the report by email, and you decide the next step: raise it with a seller, send it to an insurer, brief a roofer or share it with a managing agent.
Are you insured?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. If you need details for a managing agent or a building owner, just ask.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not always. If we only need the outside, we can agree that ahead of time, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. Visible signs such as deflection or sagging are recorded, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. The report will say if you need an engineer.
How long will you be at the property?
Most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours at a typical home, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. We will confirm the timing when booking.