Essex · London and the South East
New roof snagging in Foster Street, Essex
New roof snagging in Foster Street and the rest of Essex. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Cracked mortar at the ridge or hips
- Poorly finished verges
- Offcuts and broken tiles left behind
When to book a survey in Foster Street
Even good roofers can leave snags at the end of a job. Fiddly details are often where things go wrong, particularly when the weather is against them.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Loose or badly finished ridge tiles
- Gutters blocked by building debris
- Cracked or slipped new tiles or slates
- Loose flashings at walls or chimneys
Landlords with a home close to Harlow Mill station may find that it’s worth knowing a roof’s condition before you buy it, or before you sign off new roofing work on it.
Questions to ask before you book
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- What happens after the report arrives
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- What they won’t be able to tell you
How new roof snagging works in Foster Street
Building work can leave a mess behind. Offcuts, broken tiles and debris left in gutters or on lower roofs are noted, and for damage to other parts of the building. It’s all recorded with photos. Debris left in gutters and valleys can block them and damage to lower roofs can let water through. It’s easier to raise them while the job is fresh. If you’re worried about flashings not properly dressed or fixed and cracked or slipped new tiles or slates, we can find out what’s behind it, on ridges and verges, new-build homes and flashings and valleys alike.
Somewhere as small as Foster Street, older cottages, farmhouses and converted buildings frequently sit beside a few newer homes. Village roofs can be clay tile, slate, stone or even thatch on some older buildings. Each covering has its own weak points, whether the roof is old or newly laid, and thatch is a specialist material, so we report on what can be seen. What’s under the coverings, from old felt to the battens and nails, matters too.
Where we cannot see part of the new roof, the report says so. That way, it is clear what was covered and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Where
- Foster Street (CM17)
- Region
- Essex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Local roofs and buyers in Foster Street
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. Clay tiles and timber weatherboarding mark out many of the older buildings in Essex, with post-war and more recent estates making up much of the newer housing. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about.
If you own one of the older houses in the streets near Church of All Saints, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Foster Street is about 2 miles east of Harlow, in Essex. We survey roofs in Foster Street and the surrounding area as part of our work across London and the South East. Foster Street is one of the towns and villages in Essex we cover for new roof snagging. For surveys nearby, see our Chelmsford page.
Here we cover the CM17 postcode area for new roof snagging. Local streets include Foster Street, Highfield Close and Hastingwood Park. Neighbouring places we cover for new roof snagging include Hastingwood (1 mile south), Newhall (1 mile north-west), Latton (1 mile west), Magdalen Laver (1 mile east) and Housham Tye (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Chelmsford (14 miles east), Brentwood (11 miles south-east), Billericay (15 miles south-east), Loughton (9 miles south-west), Waltham Abbey (8 miles south-west) and Great Dunmow (12 miles north-east).
Around Foster Street
Around Foster Street, our work takes us to homes and buildings near John Barleycorn Public House, Passmores Academy and Brays Grove, among other places. The closest station to Foster Street is Harlow Mill station, about 2.3 miles north-west. A little further out are Princess Alexandra Hospital (3 miles west) and Harlow Mill (2.4 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Gernon Bushes.
Why get it checked now?
Small faults on a new roof can grow. Loose details can let water through during the first winter. Finding them early means they can be dealt with quickly. In a small place like Foster Street, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and damp in older walls is slow to dry out.
We offer three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, all with VAT included. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why book with us
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- PI and public liability insurance
- Over 20 years’ experience
- 5,000+ surveys completed
What we look for on each type of roof
Ridges, hips and verges
Ridges, hips and verges take the most weather. We check mortar, dry-fix systems and fixings where they can be seen.
Underlay and ventilation
At the eaves, the underlay should run into the gutter to carry water off. We check it where it can be seen.
Towns and villages near Foster Street
Also in Foster Street
Tips from our surveys
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Walk round the house to look for knock-on damage
- Look for debris left in gutters from the ground
- Book snagging before the final payment
- Look for new stains after a downpour
The report lists each snag with photos and written recommendations. You can send it straight to your roofer.
Put the warranty or defects period end date in your diary. Book a check well before it so snags can be raised.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Foster Street
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Bigger roofs take more time, so they’re priced to suit.
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Foster Street. For a price for a let property or a block, call 07833 053749 or email us.
What happens on the day
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes between one and two hours for a typical new house roof, longer where the roof is large or complicated. You are welcome to ask questions while we are there. Somewhere as small as Foster Street, access is often the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- First, we note any deadlines and concerns.
- The roof is inspected from ground level, vantage points and the roof where safe.
- Each detail at ridges, verges, valleys and flashings is looked at.
- We check the gutters, lower roofs and walls for debris or damage.
- We send a written report you can pass on.
Preparing for the visit
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- If you’re buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
How to book
Unsure which package suits your roof? The easiest way is to ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
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Your questions about new roof snagging in Foster Street
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Foster Street?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Are flat-roofed garages and porches in Foster Street worth including?
Often, yes, so mention it as you book. Flat-roofed garages and porches are common in new towns like Harlow, and older felt coverings may be near the end of their life.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime. Just say which days work for you.
Can you settle a dispute with my builder?
No. Our job is to report on the roof as we find it. Any dispute is between you and your roofer or builder and our report gives you an independent record.
Will you check the loft?
Usually, if there’s one and it can be reached safely. From inside, the underside of the roof often shows damp, staining or daylight that cannot be seen from outside.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but only a specialist asbestos surveyor can confirm it. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.