Essex · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Smith's Green
Not sure what state the flat roof is in? We carry out flat roof surveys in Smith's Green and across Essex, with plain-English findings.
- Water getting in at rooflights
- Dips that suggest the deck is deflecting
- Splits and cracks in the covering
How a flat roof survey works in Smith's Green
Our Basic Survey, from £150, gives you a visual inspection with photographs 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. If you’ve noticed blocked or damaged outlets and failed seals around rooflight kerbs, we can find out what’s behind it, on single-ply membranes, upstands and outlets and mastic asphalt alike.
Some older homes in villages like Smith's Green are listed or in a conservation area, and that can affect how an extension roof or dormer is re-covered. If you’re planning work, check with the council first. Finding out what state the roof is in gives you the facts to plan with. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent.
We keep jargon out of it: if work is needed, the report says so clearly, and where it can wait, that’s said too.
- Location
- Smith's Green (CM6, CM22)
- Region
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we do, step by step
A survey visit follows a simple order: we listen to what’s been worrying you, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, photograph what we find and record our findings for the written report. It typically takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, and more on a big or complicated roof. Somewhere like Smith's Green needs a little journey planning: let us know about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. On the day, we inspect what can be seen safely, inside and out.
- 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 is access.
- We view the roof from safe positions and never walk 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
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Getting a price
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Advice
Smith's Green: your questions answered
Do you cover smaller places like Smith's Green?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We work right across London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Smith's Green?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Smith's Green as anywhere else.
Do you cover flat roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. We survey flat roofs on offices, shops, industrial units and blocks of flats. We quote bigger roofs on their size and how they’re reached, so call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address.
Will this cover the whole house?
No. Our survey covers the flat roof only. It isn’t a RICS Level 2 or 3 survey of the whole building, and it is not a structural engineer’s report. Many buyers use it alongside a building survey.
Do you need to get into the loft?
Where it is relevant to the survey and there is safe access, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps.
When does the report arrive?
Each package has its own report time. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. If you have a deadline, such as an exchange date, tell us as you book.
How experienced are you?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, across 20+ years of surveying roofs.
Can I check my roof myself?
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we look at the roof.
Tips that help
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Watch the ceilings below the flat roof for stains
- Keep clear of rooflights and fragile roof sheets
- Keep records of when the roof was laid and what work has been done
- Keep outlets clear of leaves and moss
If you are buying, the report gives you something specific to take back to the seller or 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. That catches changes early and builds up a record of the roof.
When to book a survey in Smith's Green
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. Where they weren’t finished well, they tend to fail before anything else.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Splits and cracks in the covering
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Edge trims that have lifted or split
- Pools of water lying on the roof
For site and facilities teams at buildings like Takeley Primary School, ponding and blocked outlets on a wide flat roof are worth catching before the next wet season.
What to check before booking
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Are they insured for the work?
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
Places near Smith's Green
Other services in Smith's Green
Local flat roofs in Smith's Green
The wider area around Smith's Green has a long history of building, with Barrington Hall about 2.6 miles south-west. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead. Weatherboarded walls and clay tile roofs are typical of older Essex buildings, while many towns grew with post-war and newer estates. Flat roofs fill the gaps in between, on extensions, garages, dormers and business premises.
Landlords with a home close to Stansted Airport station may find that flat roofs over rear additions and dormers in rented property are worth checking between tenancies. If you live in an older home near Church of the Holy Trinity, flat-roofed rear additions and dormers added over the years are worth checking.
Smith's Green is about 5 miles east of Bishop's Stortford, in Essex. We cover Smith's Green and the rest of Essex, as part of our work across London and South East England. We cover towns and villages across Essex, large and small. We also survey roofs in Chelmsford.
Flat roof surveys in CM6 and CM22 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Whether your property is on Broadfield Road, The Oaks and Fleming Road or anywhere close by, we can help. Close by, we survey roofs in Little Canfield (1 mile east), Hope End Green (1 mile south), Takeley (1 mile west), Puttock's End (1 mile south) and Takeley Street (1 mile west). We also work in nearby towns such as Chelmsford (13 miles south-east), Braintree (12 miles east), Harlow (10 miles south-west), Saffron Walden (11 miles north), Great Dunmow (3 miles east) and Epping (14 miles south-west).
What’s near Smith's Green
We work in homes and buildings around Lion And Lamb Public House and the streets around them. Smith's Green’s nearest station is Stansted Airport station, about 1.6 miles north-west of the centre. A little further out are Little Easton Moat (2.6 miles north-east) and Herts and Essex Hospital (4.4 miles west). The countryside around Smith's Green includes Portingbury Hills and Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve.
What we look for on each type of roof
GRP fibreglass
Movement in the deck or a thin layer of resin can lead to cracks in GRP. Our report notes cracks and any sign that the deck is flexing.
Felt and built-up roofs
A felt roof frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, though quality and upkeep make a big difference. Our report sets out its condition and the areas most at risk.
Why it’s worth a survey now in Smith's Green
By the time a flat roof leak shows indoors, water has already passed through the roof build-up. A survey can find worn areas and failing details before that point, while there is still time to plan the work. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like Smith's Green, driving rain gets into any weakness, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Smith's Green
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Over 20 years’ experience
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
Read our cost guide and two real surveys.