Essex · London and the South East
Writtle New Roof Snagging
We carry out new roof snagging in Writtle and the rest of Essex. We survey seven days a week.
- Underlay ending short at the eaves
- Gutters or fascias damaged during the job
- Verge tiles or slates not secured
Local roofs and buyers in Writtle
In Essex, older buildings are frequently clay-tiled, many with weatherboarding, and a good many post-war and modern estates besides. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about. The wider area around Writtle has a long history of building, with Hylands about 1.4 miles south-east. If you own one of the older houses, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof.
If your home is one of the older ones in the streets near Church of All Saints, older patch repairs can hide behind a tidy front slope, and the survey looks past them.
Writtle is about 3 miles west of Chelmsford, in Essex. We survey roofs in Writtle and the rest of Essex. Our Essex coverage includes Writtle and the places around it.
Surveys in CM1 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We cover properties on Millfields, Well Field and Little Meadow and the roads around them. We also cover Widford (2 miles south-east), Moulsham (2 miles east), Chignall St James (2 miles north), Patching (2 miles north-east) and Chelmsford (3 miles east). Larger places within reach include Basildon (11 miles south), Braintree (12 miles north-east), Harlow (13 miles west), Brentwood (9 miles south-west), Maldon (11 miles east) and Billericay (7 miles south).
Around Writtle
In Writtle, that means homes and buildings near Rose And Crown Public House, Hylands School and Central Park. Writtle’s nearest station is Chelmsford station, roughly 2.1 miles east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Peter Edwards Museum And Library (2 miles east) and Bond Street Chelmsford (2.4 miles east). For a walk, there’s Newland Grove.
New roof snagging for homes and businesses in Writtle
People book us after having a roof replaced or re-covered, and buyers of new-build homes sometimes want the roof checked. We inspect each roof as far as safe access allows including from the loft and the roof where it’s safe. A photo report follows, ready to share with your roofer or builder. If you are worried about loose or badly finished ridge tiles and gaps at new flashings, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Bungalows, chalet bungalows and older cottages are common in smaller places like Writtle, many of them extended or given dormers over the years. Low roofs are easier to see from the ground, but dormer cheeks, valleys and flat-roofed additions still need close attention. That applies whether you’re buying in Writtle or checking a new roof there. Lead around a dormer and the edges of a flat roof are common places for snags and wear alike.
If any part of the new roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Where
- Writtle (CM1)
- Region
- Essex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Valleys
Debris left in a new valley can block it. Leftover debris is recorded.
Slate roofs
Cracked slates are sometimes left in place. They’re photographed for the report.
Towns and villages near Writtle
Other services in Writtle
DIY checks: what’s safe
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That is where a survey comes in.
Writtle questions
Do you carry out roof surveys in Writtle?
Yes, Writtle is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Writtle as anywhere else.
Is my home in Writtle listed or in a conservation area?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Do you look in the roof space?
Where it’s relevant to the survey and there’s safe access, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps, and if the loft can’t be reached safely, the report says so.
How much time does a snagging visit need?
Most house visits take about 1–2 hours with commercial roofs nearer 3–4 hours.
Will you check every nail and clip?
No. We inspect what can be seen without opening up the roof, so fixings under the coverings can’t be checked. We note what couldn’t be seen.
How many surveys have you done?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have carried out more than 5,000 surveys.
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. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Prices for new roof snagging in Writtle
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- How big the roof is
Prices start from £150, including VAT, for a Basic Survey. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400. We confirm the price for your survey before you book.
Booking your survey
A little information up front helps. It helps to include:
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- The property’s address and postcode
Booking is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or email us and give us some details about the property and we’ll suggest the right survey. The price is agreed up front.
Signs you need new roof snagging in Writtle
Vents can be left out, or insulation pushed against the eaves. Poor ventilation can lead to condensation in the loft.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Missing or blocked roof ventilation
- Cracked lower roofs or marked walls after the work
- Cracked mortar at the ridge or hips
- Offcuts and broken tiles left behind
Landlords with a home close to Chelmsford station may find that the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Before you book anyone
- What insurance they carry
- What experience they bring
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Whether the price includes VAT
How it works
We do not take risks to get a closer look. Everything that can be seen safely is inspected, and if part of the roof cannot be seen, the report says so. Most visits take about 1–2 hours for most homes, depending on how much new work there is to check. In a smaller place like Writtle, parking is seldom the issue; lanes, gates and long drives are worth mentioning. Low roofs on bungalows can often be seen well from ground level, and the loft shows the rest.
- We ask what work was done and when it was finished.
- The new coverings, ridge, hips and verges are inspected where it is safe to see them.
- We check valleys, flashings and gutters, and the underlay at the eaves where it’s visible.
- We look in the loft space, where there is safe access, and around the property for debris or damage.
- The snags are written up with photos for you to share with your roofer.
Getting ready for the survey
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
Arrange a survey
If you’re buying, it’s useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email when you are ready.
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Useful tips for Writtle property owners
Getting the most from new roof snagging starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Check before your warranty period ends
- Put any issues to your roofer in writing
- Check the roof before you pay in full
- Walk round the house to look for knock-on damage
The report gives your roofer a clear list to work through. If there is a dispute, it’s between you and your roofer or builder; we report on what we see.
Keep the final payment until the roof has been checked if your contract allows it. It gives the roofer a reason to finish everything.