Essex · London and the South East
Gutter survey in The Common, Essex
Know where you stand with the gutter before you spend money on it. We carry out gutter surveys in The Common, with photographs and a clear written report.
- Fascia boards damaged by overflowing water
- Gutters that have fallen out of line
- Choked outlets or hopper heads
How the survey works
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the roof space if there is safe access. All told, expect about one to two hours for most houses, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. Older roofs in small places like The Common can have low, tight loft spaces, so it helps to know whether there’s a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We ask about overflows, damp or leaks you’ve noticed.
- The eaves gutters, downpipes and fascias are looked at from the ground and vantage points.
- Any valley, parapet or box gutters are looked at as far as safe access allows.
- The roof space is checked for water marks if it is safe to get into.
- You get a written report with photos and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Find any records of previous roof work
Booking a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
Gutter survey in The Common
Some gutters are easy to see from the street, but many are not. Valley gutters between slopes, gutters behind parapet walls and box or secret gutters can send water indoors when they overflow. We look at them as far as they can safely be seen using vantage points, the roof space and the roof itself where safe. Many leaks indoors start at a hidden gutter. If you are worried about choked outlets or hopper heads and valley or box gutters that overflow inside, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
Older buildings in small places like The Common may be listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials can be used when work is done, so check with the council before planning anything. A roof report helps you plan work with that in mind. Where a building is listed, matching the existing roof materials is often expected.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the coverings down to the gutters. It records what’s sound as well as what isn’t.
- Location
- The Common (CB10)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Towns and villages near The Common
More services for The Common
Before and after the survey
Getting the most from a gutter survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Watch for green marks down the brickwork
- Book gutter clearing once a year, more often near trees
- Look for new stains on ceilings below valleys after rain
- Watch the gutters during heavy rain
Landlords and managing agents can keep the report with the building’s records to help plan maintenance. Photos make it easier to explain the work to owners, tenants or contractors.
Have overhanging branches and climbing plants cut back from the roof using someone with the right kit. Fewer leaves in the gutters means fewer blockages.
Common questions in The Common
Is The Common within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when you book.
Do you cover The Common?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and The Common is part of that. Just phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and let us know about the property.
Does someone need to be in?
It depends on what we need to see. For inside areas and the roof space, someone has to give us access, while outside access can be discussed when you book.
Could my damp wall be caused by the gutters?
Leaking gutters and downpipes are a common cause of damp walls, and we check for exactly that. If the evidence points elsewhere, we will say so as far as we can tell from what’s visible.
Does the report include photographs?
Yes. Photos are taken throughout the survey, and they go into the written report.
How do I arrange a gutter survey in The Common?
Just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address. After a few questions, we confirm the price and fix a day, weekday or weekend.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We check the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Surveys for landlords and agents in The Common
For blocks of flats, a roof survey helps managing agents and residents’ management companies plan ahead. Recommendations are set out with the most urgent first where relevant, which helps with budgets and planning.
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants, at a time agreed beforehand. Surveys run on any day of the week, which can make access easier.
What a gutter survey looks like in The Common
Clay tiles and timber weatherboarding mark out many of the older buildings in Essex, alongside plenty of post-war and newer estates. Whatever the covering, it’s frequently the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first. Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. Re-roofing in different materials may need permission there.
Take an older house close to Church of St Mary the Virgin: its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look.
The Common is about 4 miles east of Saffron Walden, in Essex. We survey roofs in The Common and the rest of Essex. Our area takes in places right across Essex. Our Chelmsford page covers surveys nearby.
Every address in CB10 is covered for gutter surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you are just outside The Common, we cover Radwinter (1 mile south), Maple End (1 mile south-west), Wimbish (2 miles south-west), Hempstead (2 miles east) and Church End (3 miles north-west). Further out, we also cover Braintree (13 miles south-east), Saffron Walden (4 miles west), Halstead (14 miles south-east), Great Dunmow (10 miles south), Stansted Mountfitchet (10 miles south-west) and Great Notley (14 miles south-east).
Around The Common
Other landmarks nearby include Castle Camps (2.8 miles north-east) and Saffron Walden Community Hospital (3.5 miles west). Not far away are Hales and Shadwell Woods.
Different roofs, different checks
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.
Plastic (uPVC) gutters
Plastic can become brittle with age and split. We check joints, brackets and the line of each run.
Do you need a gutter survey in The Common?
Most gutter joints rely on seals or sealant that wear out. Plastic gutters move with heat and cold so their joints can start to leak. On cast iron, joints can rust and open up where the paint has failed.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Downpipes that are split or coming away
- Gutters overflowing in heavy rain
- Leaves and moss blocking gutters
- Leaks at the gutter joints
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Radwinter Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- What experience they bring
- Which limits apply to the survey
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
Prices for gutter surveys in The Common
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- How big the roof is
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
Every price we give includes VAT. Our price is from £150, including VAT. You’ll know the exact price before you book.
Getting in touch
If you can, have these to hand when you contact us:
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Any deadline, like an exchange date
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- The address and postcode of the property
To get a price for gutter surveys in The Common, call 07833 053749 or send us an email. A few details about the property and the roof help us give you an accurate price.