Essex · London and the South East
Roof surveys in CO11
Live in CO11? We cover Lawford, Brantham and Manningtree and the rest of the district.
Where we work in CO11
- Lawford
- Brantham
- Manningtree
- Mistley
- Bradfield Heath
- Cattawade
- Foxash Estate
- Wrabness
- Wix
- Bradfield
- Little Bromley
- Wix Green
- Horsley Cross
- Horsleycross Street
- Dedham Heath
Services in CO11
- Roof leak investigation
- Gutter survey
- New roof snagging
- Landlord roof survey
- Flat roof survey
- Thermal imaging roof survey
- Drone roof survey
- Storm damage roof report
- Pre-purchase roof survey
- Roof survey
- Electronic leak detection
- Chimney survey
- Every service
Let us know the address and the type of roof and we’ll find a date: ring 07833 053749 or email us.
How a roof survey works in CO11
There are three levels of survey: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, with VAT included. The Basic Survey gives a visual inspection, photos and written recommendations. The higher packages add more checks, with moisture detection and a structural check, and on Premium, thermal imaging and a drone where it applies. Each one comes with a written report. We survey the roof space, flat roofs and ridges, hips and valleys, and the problems we are asked to look at most are crumbling chimney pointing or cracked flaunching and slates or tiles that have slipped or broken.
The visit has one job: to look at the roof as closely as is safe and record what we find. Notes and photos go into the written report. The visit typically takes roughly 1–2 hours for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys.
- We start by hearing what you’d like checked and why.
- We agree a date, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We inspect from ground level, from windows, from the loft space and from the roof where safe.
- We check the coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, and photograph what we find.
- We email a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations.
What you’ll pay
We offer three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, with VAT included. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you’d like to know.
What you get with us
- Visits on any day of the week
- Package prices that include VAT
- Photos and a written report every time
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
How to book
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from the ground or a window. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
What’s near Lawford
In Lawford, that means homes and buildings near Highfields Primary School, The Red Lion Public House and Manningtree High School. For rail, the closest station is Manningtree station, roughly 0.7 miles north-west. Nearby you will also find The Munnings Museum (2.4 miles west) and Little Wenham Castle (5 miles north). Not far away are Cattawade Marshes and Alton Water.
Roof surveys across CO11: local notes
Across CO11, we survey roofs for owners, landlords and agents, from Lawford, Brantham and Manningtree to the quieter places in between. Each report sets out what was seen, with photos and recommendations.
From inner London terraces to Kent oast houses, Sussex tile-hanging and Hampshire thatch, the South East has a huge mix of roofs. CO11 is part of that mix. Near the sea in CO11, roofs face stronger wind and salt-laden air, which wears metal fixings and flashings faster. Ridges and verges facing the sea are worth checking after every big storm.
Lawford: If you own a rental within reach of Manningtree station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at. If you live in an older home near St Mary's Church, corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs.
Practical tips
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Tell us about any leaks or stains you’ve seen
- Mention any flat roofs as well as the main roof
- Watch for slipped slates after bad weather
- Make sure we can open the loft hatch
With the Standard Survey you get a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey includes an in-person consultation. You can ask us about anything that isn’t clear.
Keep the roof space ventilated. A stuffy loft collects condensation, and it can wet timbers and insulation. Make sure insulation does not block the airflow at the eaves.
What affects the price in CO11
To price your survey, we look at:
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- The roof’s overall size
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
Roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we will tell you which fits.
Getting in touch
A few details help us recommend the right survey and price. When you get in touch, it helps to mention:
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- The address and postcode of the property
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. To book or ask a question, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
What happens if roof problems are left?
It is easier to plan roof work than to react to it. A survey lets you deal with things in order of urgency, rather than waiting for something to fail.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Their track record with similar roofs
- How long the report takes to arrive
What you can safely check yourself
You can learn a lot from ground level. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
What we’re asked to look at in CO11
The coverings are rarely the first thing to fail. On slate roofs, corroded nails let slates slip, which is known as ‘nail fatigue’. On tiled roofs, battens and pegs can rot, letting tiles move.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Valley linings that have cracked or split
- Loose chimney pots
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or broken
- Worn lead at chimneys and abutments
Questions from CO11
Do you need to get into the loft?
If there is a loft and safe access to it, yes. From inside, the underside of the roof often shows damp, staining or daylight that cannot be seen from outside.
Do you carry out asbestos surveys?
No. We do not carry out asbestos surveys or testing. Where materials might contain it, we say so in the report so a specialist asbestos surveyor can check before any work.
How long will you be at the property?
Allow about 1–2 hours for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. We will confirm what to expect when we arrange the visit.
Does someone need to be in?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but anything inside needs someone there to give access.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
We do not put a figure on it, since the fixings, underlay and maintenance all play a part. Instead, we set out what’s sound, what’s wearing and what to do first.
How do I book a survey in CO11?
It’s easiest to phone 07833 053749 or email us. Tell us the address and a little about the roof, and we will take it from there. We survey on weekdays and at weekends.
Is a roof survey the same as a structural survey?
No. If we see signs that need an engineer, such as serious sagging, we will say so. We do not provide structural calculations.