Greater London · London and the South East
Flat Roof Survey in Smithfield
Surveys of flat roofs on homes, extensions and commercial buildings for Smithfield and the rest of Greater London. We survey on weekdays and at weekends.
- Blistering in felt or asphalt
- Ponding water that does not drain away
- Failed seals around rooflight kerbs
What we do, step by step
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes about one to two hours for a small flat roof at home, and longer for a large commercial one. If you have questions on the day, just ask. In a London area like Smithfield, the main things to sort out are parking and access: let us know about parking, the floor the property is on, any shared entrance and loft access. On the day, the roof is looked at from ground level, from windows, from inside the loft space and from the roof where it’s safe.
- We agree the roof to be surveyed, its use and any leaks you know about.
- The roof is viewed from safe positions, including the roof itself where that’s safe.
- We check the covering for splits, blisters, ponding and wear.
- We photograph and record the outlets, upstands, trims and rooflights.
- A written report with photos and recommendations is emailed to you.
Getting ready for the survey
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Keep pets in another room
How to book
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine; never climb up to get a better view. To get started, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Related advice
About our flat roof survey in Smithfield
A flat roof leak often travels before it shows on the ceiling. It may start at a split, a lifted seam or a failed upstand well away from the damp patch. Our survey covers the whole roof, not just the part above the mark, with photos of anything that could be letting water in. A roofer can then start from a clear picture of the problem. Typical surveys look at failed upstands where the roof meets a wall and loose or cracked edge trims, on single-ply membranes, GRP fibreglass and EPDM rubber.
Commercial and residential blocks across London often have big flat roofs with plant, rooflights and access walkways. Each pipe, upstand and fixing through the covering is a possible weak point. In Smithfield, roof access is agreed with the building manager or owner beforehand. Plant bases, rooflights and cable entries are all places where water can get in.
It isn’t only a list of defects. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Where
- Smithfield (EC1V, EC1P, EC1R)
- Region
- Greater London
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Also near Smithfield
Other services in Smithfield
Your questions about flat roof surveys in Smithfield
Do you cover commercial flat roofs around Smithfield?
Yes. As well as homes, we look at flat roofs on offices, hotels, blocks of flats and commercial units. Larger commercial roofs are quoted for the building.
How do I find out if my home in Smithfield is listed?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. It’s a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing aren’t part of what we do. If we see materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement roof sheets or soffits on buildings from before 2000, we flag them and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before any work.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime, which suits people who work during the week. Just say which days work for you.
Will you walk on the roof?
Not always. Some roofs are too steep or fragile to walk on safely. We use safe viewpoints, the roof space and a drone where it applies.
What does the report include?
It explains what we saw, what it means and what we’d suggest, with photos throughout. Anything we couldn’t see safely is noted too.
Local flat roofs in Smithfield
The wider area around Smithfield has a long history of building, with Dr Johnson's House about 0.3 miles south-west. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. Many homes in inner London are Victorian and Edwardian terraces, often with Welsh slate roofs. A butterfly roof with a central valley gutter, tucked behind a parapet wall, is common on these houses. In a house like that, shared stacks, party-wall upstands and lead flashings all need looking at as far as they can be seen. Alongside them, flat-roofed extensions, dormers, garages and commercial units are common almost everywhere.
For site and facilities teams at buildings like Charterhouse Square School, large flat roofs, common on schools and other public buildings, need their outlets, upstands and coverings checked regularly. For landlords with property near Farringdon station, the flat roof over a let home is worth a look before it becomes a tenant complaint.
Smithfield is about 1 mile north of London, in Greater London. We carry out flat roof surveys for householders, landlords and businesses in Smithfield and the surrounding area. Across Greater London, we cover Smithfield.
Surveys in EC1V, EC1P and EC1R work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Whether your property is on Oat Lane, Shoe Lane and Long Lane or anywhere close by, we can survey it. You will find Smithfield on the A1 and A4, which makes it simple to reach. Neighbouring places we cover for flat roof surveys include Farringdon (1 mile north), Blackfriars (1 mile south), Holborn (1 mile west), Temple Bar (1 mile south-west) and Clerkenwell (1 mile north). Larger places within reach include Kensington (4 miles west), Walthamstow (6 miles north-east), Hampstead (4 miles north-west), Ruislip (14 miles west), Brompton (3 miles south-west) and Stockwell (4 miles south).
Local landmarks in Smithfield
We work in homes and buildings around London Nautical School, Barts Health Archives and St Alban's Church of England Primary School and the streets around them. Nearby too are St Mary-at-Hill (1 mile south-east), Oriole pub (less than half a mile south-west) and Postman's Park (under half a mile south-east). There is a railway station in Smithfield itself: Farringdon station. Well-known places in the area include Montfichet's Tower (within half a mile south) and Postal Museum (within half a mile south-east). Not far away are Ludgate Hill and St. James's Park Lake.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Landlords, agents and building managers in Smithfield and across Greater London can book any of our surveys. For a price for a let property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Do you need a flat roof survey in Smithfield?
Many flat roof problems start at the details rather than the main surface. Upstands, trims, outlets and rooflight kerbs each move and weather in their own way. If they were rushed when the roof was laid, they’re often the first things to fail.
It is worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Outlets choked with leaves and silt
- Cracked or split membrane
- Blisters and bubbles in the covering
- Damaged trims at the roof edge
For businesses in and around places like Gabriel's Wharf, flat roofs over shops and units are easy to forget until water comes through a ceiling.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Which parts of the roof they’ll actually see
Why get it checked now?
If you are buying, find out about the flat roof before you exchange. After that, the cost of any work is yours. A report gives you facts to put to the seller or agent. In Smithfield, as in much of London, water from a roof defect can reach a neighbour’s home as easily as yours: failed flashings and blocked valley gutters can send water into more than one home. Finding it early keeps the work smaller.
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package you pick makes a difference too. We will give you the figure before anything is booked.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Smithfield
- Drones and thermal imaging where it applies
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Prices that include VAT
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
What affects the cost of flat roof surveys
Survey packages start from £150, with VAT included. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- How big the roof is
A Basic Survey starts from £150, inc. VAT. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, both with VAT included. We confirm the exact price before you book.
Getting in touch
A few details help us suggest the right survey and price. When you contact us, tell us:
- When you need the report by
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- What’s prompted the survey
- The property’s address and postcode
For a price for flat roof surveys in Smithfield, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us price the survey accurately.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Don’t go up yourself.