Hertfordshire · London and the South East
New Roof Snagging in Hitchin
New roof snagging in Hitchin and the rest of Hertfordshire. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Underlay at the eaves left exposed
- Verge tiles or slates not secured
- Cracked mortar at the ridge or hips
What you can safely check yourself
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. From the ground, 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. Photograph them and note the date.
How new roof snagging works in Hitchin
People book us after having a roof replaced or re-covered, and buyers of new-build homes sometimes want the roof checked. Whatever the roof, we inspect as far as it can be seen safely, from ground level, vantage points, the loft space and the roof where safe. You then get a photo-illustrated written report to share with your roofer. We survey loft conversions and dormers, new flat roofs and new-build homes, and the problems we are asked to look at most are missing or blocked roof ventilation and gutters or fascias damaged during the job.
Around towns like Hitchin, many houses have gained extensions, dormers, porches or garages, and many of those additions have flat roofs. Where an extension roof meets the main house is a classic place for water to get in. For a home you are buying in Hitchin, or a roof just finished there, those joints get a careful look.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Where
- Hitchin (SG4, SG5)
- Region
- Hertfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Other services in Hitchin
Landlord and commercial surveys in Hitchin
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord, with the report sent to whoever needs it. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget, putting the urgent items at the top.
The survey, step by step
Where it’s relevant and can be reached safely, the loft space is checked as well as the outside. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging, as far as the space allows. The whole visit usually takes between one and two hours for most homes, depending on how much new work there is to check. Semi-detached and terraced homes in a town like Hitchin frequently share a roof line with the neighbours, so shared parts are looked at as far as they can be seen from your property. It helps to know about previous repairs, leaks or recent work.
- We agree what to focus on, such as a payment date or a warranty period ending.
- 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.
- Debris and damage to other parts are recorded.
- You receive a report to share with your roofer.
Getting ready for the survey
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Let us know about parking near the property
- Leave a clear route to the loft
Booking a survey
Not sure which survey you need? It’s easiest to phone 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Advice
Roof by roof
Flashings
Loose or badly dressed flashings are a common snag. We photograph any we find.
Clay and concrete tiles
Clay and concrete tiles commonly last 50 years or more. We check for cracked, uneven or poorly fixed tiles as far as can be seen.
When you need someone else
We only report whatever is safely visible on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- How the roof will perform for years to come
- Pricing the remedial work
- Nails and clips under the slates or tiles
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will tell you. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Ridges and verges
- New flat roofs
- Flashings and valleys
- Loft conversions and dormers
- Replacement roofs
- New-build homes
Practical tips
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Arrange the inspection before settling the final bill
- Watch for drips in the roof space with care
- Check lower roofs and walls after scaffolding comes down
- Put any issues to your roofer in writing
Questions about the findings are welcome. With the Standard Survey there’s a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey includes an in-person one.
Tell your roofer at the start that the work will be inspected. It sets clear expectations and time is set aside for snags.
What new roof snagging looks like in Hitchin
Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about. If your home is older, it’s worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before planning roof work. Listed building consent covers changes to a listed building’s special interest, and an Article 4 direction can bring extra controls in a conservation area.
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of the Holy Saviour, older patch repairs can hide behind a tidy front slope, and the survey looks past them. If you let a flat or house near Hitchin station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Hitchin is about 5 miles north-west of Stevenage, in Hertfordshire. Hitchin is one of many places we visit across Hertfordshire, for homes and businesses alike. Hitchin is one of the towns and villages in Hertfordshire where we work for new roof snagging. For surveys nearby, see our Milton Keynes page.
We work across SG4 and SG5 for new roof snagging. That includes homes and businesses on Market Place, London Road and Harrison Close and the roads around them. With the A505 and A600 close by, Hitchin is simple for us to get to for new roof snagging. If you are just outside Hitchin, we cover Benslow (1 mile east), Poets Estate (1 mile east), Bearton (1 mile north-west), Walsworth (1 mile north-east) and Westmill (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Stevenage (5 miles south-east), St Albans (14 miles south), Welwyn Garden City (11 miles south), Harpenden (10 miles south), Hatfield (13 miles south) and Hertford (13 miles south-east). As one of the bigger places in Hertfordshire, Hitchin has homes, rented property and businesses of every kind.
Near you in Hitchin
In Hitchin, that means homes and buildings near Highbury Infant School and Nursery, Butts Close and Kingshott School. Nearby too are Radcliffe Arms (within half a mile north-east) and St Mary's Church (less than half a mile south-west). There’s a railway station in Hitchin itself: Hitchin station. Other landmarks nearby include Wymondley Castle (1.7 miles east) and Lister Hospital (3.1 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Purwell Ninesprings and Markham's Hill.
FAQs for Hitchin
Is there anything to prepare before you come to Hitchin?
Very little. Unlock side gates, keep pets in another room and dig out any invoices from past roof work.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Hitchin?
Yes, Hitchin is within the area we cover. We survey roofs across London and the South East. Just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and tell us about the property.
Will you check the loft?
Typically, if there is 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 lift tiles to check the fixings?
No, we don’t disturb the new coverings. Most fixings sit out of sight under the coverings so we focus on what can be seen.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We’ve been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. We’ll rearrange with you if the weather is not right.