Roof surveys across London and the South East 07833 053749info@independentroofsurvey.co.uk

Hertfordshire · London and the South East

Landlord roof survey in Hanscombe End, Hertfordshire

Roof condition reports for landlords, agents and blocks of flats across Hanscombe End, with drones and thermal imaging where they help. Call or email for a price.

  • Mortar falling from ridges and verges
  • Blocked gutters over flats
  • Leaking joints at party walls

Landlord roof surveys near Hanscombe End

Landlord roof survey in Hanscombe End: what you get

Getting into every part of a building takes planning. We may need to get into the roof space and some or all of the flats, so tenants or leaseholders need notice. You or your agent arrange access and we will say what we need as you book. Where we cannot get into part of the building, the report says so. We are often asked to look into leaks into upper flats and ponding or splits on flat roofs, across gutters and downpipes, converted houses and shared roofs.

Village roofs frequently face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. On exposed older roofs, chimneys and lead flashings are frequently the first to give way.

Report times depend on the survey you book: Basic within 48 hours, Standard in 24–48 hours and Premium the same day.

Location
Hanscombe End (SG5)
Region
Hertfordshire
Price
From £150 inc. VAT
Report
A written report with photos, by email
Appointments
Monday to Sunday, daytime
Insured
Professional indemnity and public liability
Phone
07833 053749
Last updated
27 October 2026
Illustration of a row of houses beside a block of flats and a ticked checklist

How we price landlord roof surveys

The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. That comes down to:

  • If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
  • The size of the roof
  • Building height and the viewpoints available
  • How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets

A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.

What we need to know

To price your survey accurately, we’ll ask about:

  • What kind of property and roof it is
  • When you need the report by
  • Where water is showing inside, if it is
  • Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window

Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.

Should I look at the roof myself first?

A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.

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 check the roof.

Different roofs, different checks

Roof spaces and lofts

Underlay on older roofs can be felt, or missing. We note what we see from inside.

Gutters and downpipes

Blocked gutters cause many leaks into top-floor flats. Gutters, outlets and downpipes are inspected where they can be seen.

FAQs for Hanscombe End

Is Hanscombe End in the area you cover?

Yes, Hanscombe End is one of the places we work. Every survey there gets the same written report with photos.

Does a conservation area affect roof work in Hanscombe End?

You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s in a conservation area. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.

Is this an asbestos survey?

No. We can flag materials that might contain asbestos, but confirming it is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it.

Can we use the survey to plan a roof budget?

Yes. Recommendations are prioritised by urgency where relevant, which helps you plan work and budgets. It does not include repair cost estimates but it gives contractors a clear brief.

Do you use drones?

Where it’s applicable and safe, yes. We are a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where it applies.

Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?

Yes, if the freeholder or managing agent agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we’re allowed to reach.

How much is a landlord roof survey?

Landlord roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The price depends on the size of the building and the number of roofs. For a price, ring 07833 053749 or email us.

Landlord roof surveys in Hanscombe End: local notes

Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters. An older home may be listed, or stand in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent.

Trees in and around Wrest Park shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters, so outlets and downpipes are worth watching. For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Shillington Lower School, long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle.

Hanscombe End is about 5 miles north-west of Hitchin, in Hertfordshire. We cover Hanscombe End and the rest of Hertfordshire. Across Hertfordshire, we cover Hanscombe End and the places around it. You can also see our page for Milton Keynes.

Surveys in SG5 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We also cover Apsley End (1 mile south), Shillington (1 mile east), Hexton (2 miles south), Pirton (2 miles south-east) and Pegsdon (2 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Stevenage (10 miles south-east), Welwyn Garden City (15 miles south-east), Harpenden (12 miles south), Hitchin (5 miles south-east), Letchworth (6 miles east) and Letchworth Garden City (6 miles east).

What’s near Hanscombe End

Around Hanscombe End, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Five Bells Public House and Wrest Park. Nearby you’ll also find Keech Hospice Care (5.2 miles south-west) and Stondon Motor Museum (2.6 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Barton Gravel Pit and Cain Hill.

Map of Hanscombe End © OpenStreetMap contributors

What we are asked to look at in Hanscombe End

Shared roofs can fall between owners. Everyone may think someone else is responsible and work gets delayed. A condition report gives everyone the same starting point.

Typical things we’re asked to look at include:

  • Parapets and upstands in poor repair
  • Damaged pots and flaunching
  • Gutters overflowing onto walls
  • Splits and blisters in flat roof coverings

If you live in an older home near Church of All Saints, its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look.

Questions to ask before you book

  • Is VAT included in the price?
  • How they plan to inspect the roof safely
  • Their report turnaround times
  • What experience they bring

What a roof survey includes

Useful tips for Hanscombe End property owners

A little preparation and a few simple habits help. Some pointers:

  • File each roof report for future reference
  • Give residents notice before a survey
  • Ask your managing agent about lease terms
  • Book gutter clearing at least once a year

If you need to share the findings with leaseholders or a board, the photographs help. The report is written in plain language.

Keep the roof space accessible so a surveyor can look inside the roof. Stored items over the hatch make checks harder.

What happens on the day

Photographs are taken throughout the visit, so you can see in the report what we found and where. We take close-ups from wherever is safe. Most surveys take about 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. Somewhere like Hanscombe End needs a little journey planning: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. The roof is looked at from the ground, from windows, from the loft where there is safe access and from the roof where it is safe.

  1. You let us know about the building, its roofs and any known leaks.
  2. We let you know which flats and hatches we need to reach.
  3. The roofs are inspected from ground level, vantage points, the loft space and the roof where safe.
  4. The report records areas we couldn’t access.
  5. You receive photos and recommendations, prioritised where relevant.

How to prepare

  • Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
  • Let us know about parking near the property
  • If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in

How to book

We survey roofs on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. To find a date that works for you, call 07833 053749 or email us.

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20+ yearsRoof survey experience
5,000+ surveys98% customer satisfaction
Drones and thermal imagingCAA-registered drone operator
Fully insuredProfessional indemnity and public liability
Reports from £150Prices include VAT