Essex · London and the South East
New roof snagging in Jack's Hatch, Essex
Find out what’s going on with the new roof before you spend money on it. We carry out new roof snagging in Jack's Hatch.
- Underlay at the eaves left exposed
- Gaps at new flashings
- Missing or blocked roof ventilation
How the survey works
We look at the roof from outside and, where it is relevant and there is safe access, from inside the loft space too. In the loft, the signs we look for are staining, damp, daylight and sagging. All in, the survey typically takes roughly 1–2 hours for most homes, depending on how much new work there is to check. In a hamlet or village like Jack's Hatch, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- First, you tell us what the roofer did and any concerns you have.
- The coverings, ridges, hips and verges are checked as far as can be seen safely.
- Valleys, flashings, gutters and the underlay at the eaves are looked at.
- We look in the roof space, where there’s safe access, and around the property for debris or damage.
- The snags are written up with photos for you to share with your roofer.
Preparing for the visit
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
Getting a price
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from ground level or a window, and please don’t climb up for a closer look. To send them or to book, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Related advice
About our new roof snagging in Jack's Hatch
Ventilation matters on a new roof. Where vents have been fitted at the ridge or eaves, we check them and look in the loft space for condensation. What we see goes in the report. Missing or blocked ventilation can lead to condensation over time, so it is worth raising early. We record what we see. We’re frequently asked to look into gutters blocked by building debris and cracked mortar at the ridge or hips, on new-build homes, loft conversions and dormers and ridges and verges.
In a village or hamlet like Jack's Hatch, homes are often older cottages and farmhouses alongside a few newer houses. Older roofs there may have clay tiles, slate, stone or, in some places, thatch. Whether you are buying or have just had a roof replaced, each material has its own checks, and thatch is a specialist material, so we report on what can be seen. Older roofs may also have old felt underlay or none, and fixings that have done a long stint.
It isn’t only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can decide what to do next.

- Location
- Jack's Hatch (CM16)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we are asked to look at in Jack's Hatch
Most householders cannot get a good look at their new roof. Without an independent check, you’re relying on what can be seen from the ground before you pay.
Here are some of the things we see often:
- Gutters blocked by building debris
- Missing or blocked roof ventilation
- Gutters or fascias damaged during the job
- Ridge and hip tiles not properly fixed
For an older house near a landmark like St James with St Luke, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
What to check before booking
- What insurance they carry
- What the survey will not cover
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- What exactly goes into their report
Surveys for landlords and agents in Jack's Hatch
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work with less disruption.
Jack's Hatch questions
Is Jack's Hatch within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We cover the whole of London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
Is Jack's Hatch in the area you cover?
Yes, Jack's Hatch is within the area we cover. Our area covers London and South East England. You can ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address and some details.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we are allowed to reach, and the report makes that clear.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Someone needs to let us in if we are looking inside or in the loft. Access is agreed with you as you book.
What if it rains on the day?
It depends on the weather and the survey. Strong wind or heavy rain can make access unsafe and ground a drone, so we’d move the date with you.
How long does new roof snagging take?
Most house visits take about 1–2 hours with commercial roofs nearer 3–4 hours.
Do you look in the loft space?
Where it is relevant to the survey and there’s safe access, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps.
When you need someone else
Before booking, it is worth knowing what a survey will not do:
- Pricing the remedial work
- Settling a dispute with your roofer or builder
- A promise that the roof won’t leak
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will suggest the right survey. The full list of what we check.
Roof types and parts we check
- Ridges and verges
- New flat roofs
- Replacement roofs
- Loft conversions and dormers
- New-build homes
- Flashings and valleys
Can I check my roof myself?
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Do not go up yourself.
During heavy rain, look at the gutters from ground level or a window. Water spilling over the edge can point to a blockage or a sagging run.
Buying a home or a new roof in Jack's Hatch
Clay tiles and timber weatherboarding mark out many of the older buildings in Essex, while many towns grew with post-war and newer estates. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about. Before planning roof work on an older home, find out whether it’s listed or in a conservation area. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas.
For landlords with property near Roydon station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in.
Jack's Hatch is about 3 miles south-west of Harlow, in Essex. Jack's Hatch is part of the area we cover as part of our work across London and South East England. Jack's Hatch is one of the places in Essex where we work for new roof snagging. You can also see our page for London.
We cover every part of CM16 for new roof snagging and the streets around it. Jack's Hatch is on the B181, so it’s easy for us to get to. We also cover the places around Jack's Hatch: Broadley Common (1 mile west), Epping Green (1 mile south), Tylerscross (1 mile north-west), Staple Tye (1 mile north-east) and Great Parndon (1 mile north). Within a short drive, we also cover Harlow (3 miles north-east), Brentwood (13 miles south-east), Loughton (6 miles south), Waltham Abbey (5 miles south-west), Great Dunmow (15 miles north-east) and Epping (3 miles south-east).
Local landmarks in Jack's Hatch
Typical jobs here are in homes near Travellers Friend pub, Nazeing Triangle and Stewards School, among other places. Jack's Hatch’s nearest station is Roydon station, about 3 miles north-west. Well-known places in the area include Harlow Mill (4.1 miles north-east) and Nazeing Glass Museum (3.3 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Cheshunt Lake and Hunsdon Mead.
Prices for new roof snagging in Jack's Hatch
We confirm the price for your roof before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- The size of the roof
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
Prices start from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on how big and how high the roof is, access and which survey you book.
Helping us price your survey
A little information up front helps. Please include:
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- What’s prompted the survey
- What kind of property and roof it is
New roof snagging starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the details.