Essex · London and the South East
Gutter survey in Higham, Essex
A survey of gutters, valleys, outlets and downpipes in Higham. We’ve completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
- Choked outlets or hopper heads
- Dripping or leaking gutter joints
- Water backing up from a hidden gutter
FAQs for Higham
Is the coastal weather around Higham hard on roofs?
Often, yes. Within about 5 miles of the sea, as Higham is, metal fixings wear faster and gales find any loose ridge or slate.
I let a flat near Manningtree station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, landlords and agents book with us as well as owners. Just call 07833 053749 or send us an email and tell us about the building.
How experienced are you?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it applies and safe. We fly a sub-250g drone and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). It’s included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where it applies, the Premium Survey.
Can you tell me if my old gutters contain asbestos?
No. We don’t test for asbestos. Where gutters, downpipes or soffits could be asbestos cement, we flag them so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check before any work.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. The report will say if you need an engineer.
What’s the price of a gutter survey?
Our packages start from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, with VAT included. For a price for your building, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
About our gutter survey in Higham
Some gutters are easy to see from the street, but many aren’t. Valley, parapet, box and secret gutters can send water indoors when they overflow. We inspect them as far as it’s safe to see them, from the ground, from windows, from the roof space and from the roof where it is safe. Hidden gutters are a common source of leaks inside. We survey valley gutters, downpipes and eaves gutters, and the problems we are asked to look at most are cracked or loose downpipes and water spilling over the gutter edge.
Older buildings in small places like Higham may be listed or in a conservation area. If yours is, re-roofing in different materials may need consent, so the council is the place to check. Knowing the roof’s condition helps you plan ahead with that in mind. Where a building is listed, matching the existing roof materials is often expected.
We write the report in plain English, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photo where possible.
- Location
- Higham (CO7)
- Region
- Essex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Different roofs, different checks
Fascias and soffits
On buildings from before 2000, soffits may be asbestos cement. Any we think could be are flagged so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check them before they’re disturbed.
Cast iron gutters
Rust at joints and brackets is the usual weak point on cast iron. Cracks, rust and leaks are recorded as far as we can see them.
Gutter surveys in Higham: local notes
The coast is about 5 miles or less from Higham, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Near the sea, metal fixings wear faster and loose pieces on a roof are more likely to lift. About 2.6 miles south-east lies Castle House, a reminder of how long the area around Higham has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you look after a building like Stratford St Mary Primary School, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale. For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Mary, the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine. Landlords with a home close to Manningtree station may find that knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints.
Higham is about 7 miles north-east of Colchester, in Essex. Anywhere in Higham, we can come and survey your property. Higham is one of the towns and villages in Essex we cover. You can also see our page for Chelmsford.
We survey roofs across CO7 for gutter surveys. Close by, we survey roofs in Stratford St Mary (1 mile south-east), Thorington Street (1 mile west), Holton St Mary (2 miles north-east), Withermarsh Green (2 miles north-west) and Dedham (2 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Colchester (7 miles south-west), Clacton-on-Sea (15 miles south-east), Harwich (13 miles east), Camulodunum (8 miles south-west), Halstead (14 miles west) and Greenstead (6 miles south).
Local landmarks in Higham
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Swan Inn. Higham’s nearest station is Manningtree station, roughly 4.2 miles south-east. A little further out are Severalls Hospital (5.2 miles south-west) and Little Wenham Castle (3.6 miles north-east). The countryside around Higham includes Cattawade Marshes.
What affects the price in Higham
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- How big the roof is
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. You’ll know the figure before booking.
What to let us know when you get in touch
What helps most when you contact us:
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply ring 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.
How the survey works
Safety comes first on every visit. Everything that can be seen safely is inspected, and if part of the roof can’t be seen, the report says so. The survey typically takes an hour or two for a house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. Older rural homes like those around Higham can have a main roof, lower lean-to roofs and outbuildings all joined together. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints.
- We agree which parts of the building you’re most worried about.
- Each gutter run is checked for blockages, sags and leaking joints.
- We check the outlets, hoppers, downpipes and any overflows.
- We check fascias, soffits and walls for water damage.
- Findings are photographed and set out in a written report.
Before we arrive
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Tell us where we can park nearby
How to book
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
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Useful tips for Higham property owners
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Look for new stains on ceilings below valleys after rain
- Keep climbers away from the eaves
- Do not climb a ladder to look in the gutters
- Look out for overflows when it pours
After any work is done, watch the gutters in the next heavy rain. Rain should flow to the outlets and down the downpipes. If it does not, tell whoever did the work.
Look at the gutters from indoors or the ground when it pours. Overflows and dripping joints are a sign to act before damage builds up.
Towns and villages near Higham
Also in Higham
Checking the roof from the ground
A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
It’s useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when you book.
What this survey cannot tell you
It helps to know what a survey won’t do before you book:
- Confirming asbestos in older rainwater goods
- Gutters out of sight from every safe vantage point
- Damage hidden inside walls or behind boards
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer before booking. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- Downpipes
- Eaves gutters
- Fascias and soffits
- Parapet and box gutters
- Outlets and hoppers
- Valley gutters