Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Apsley End, Hertfordshire
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Apsley End and across Hertfordshire.
- Gutters choked with leaves and moss
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
What we look for on each type of roof
Chimney stacks
Chimney stacks take the brunt of the weather. The pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings are all checked, as far as we can see them safely.
Clay and concrete tiles
Clay plain tiles are common on older South East homes, and some still have peg tiles. Where pegs have rotted, tiles can slip, so we look for gaps along the courses.
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Apsley End
A Basic Survey starts from £150, with the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all with VAT included. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check. Premium goes further, with thermal imaging, a drone where it applies and a same-day report. Pick the one that fits the property. Every package comes with a written report, photos and recommendations. Typical surveys look at blistered or split felt on a flat roof and bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs, on clay and concrete tiles, gutters and downpipes and chimney stacks.
Older buildings in small places like Apsley End may be listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials a new roof may use, so check with the council and Historic England’s list. Whether you’re buying or signing off new roofing, it’s worth knowing where you stand, as well as what condition the roof is in. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings.
If any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You’ll know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Where
- Apsley End (SG5)
- Wider area
- Hertfordshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Why get it checked now?
A good many buyers go ahead anyway, but with their eyes open. The report shows what needs doing first, so you can plan work before small faults get bigger. Outbuildings and barns around Apsley End are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. It is worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
Prices quoted always include VAT, and the report is not charged as an extra. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Why us?
- Clear package prices, inc. VAT
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- A sub-250g drone, flown with a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
Buying a home or a new roof in Apsley End
Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent. If the drone is used for your survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
Take an older house close to Church of All Saints: the roof may have had decades of patch repairs, and the survey shows where they are. For any home in Apsley End, it is the small, early fault that is cheapest to put right.
Apsley End is about 5 miles north-west of Hitchin, in Hertfordshire. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Apsley End for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings. Our Hertfordshire coverage includes Apsley End and the places around it. There is also a page for Milton Keynes.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: SG5. We offer pre-purchase roof surveys to properties on Hanscombe End Road, Sandy Heath Close and Chalkley Bush Close and the roads around them. We also cover Hanscombe End (1 mile north), Shillington (1 mile north-east), Hexton (2 miles south-west), Pegsdon (2 miles south) and Pirton (2 miles south-east). We also work in nearby towns like Stevenage (10 miles south-east), Welwyn Garden City (15 miles south-east), Harpenden (12 miles south), Hitchin (5 miles south-east), Letchworth (6 miles east) and Letchworth Garden City (6 miles east).
Landmarks near Apsley End
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Musgrave Arms Shillington and the streets around them. Well-known places in the area include Keech Hospice Care (5 miles south-west) and Stondon Motor Museum (2.6 miles north-east). Open spaces near Apsley End include Cain Hill and Pegsdon Hills.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Apsley End
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on, photos included.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the building owner or managing agent. Mention it when you contact us and we’ll plan the survey around it.
Your questions about pre-purchase roof surveys in Apsley End
Do you carry out roof surveys in Apsley End?
Yes, Apsley End is one of the places we work. Every survey there gets the same written report with photos.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Apsley End?
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.
How soon is the report ready?
Premium reports arrive the same day, Standard reports within 24 to 48 hours and Basic within 48 hours. We send it by email with photos included.
Is a roof survey worth having alongside a home survey?
It depends on the roof and how confident you want to be. Home surveys sometimes suggest a closer look at the roof, and that’s where a roof survey helps. It is not a replacement for a RICS survey.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. We survey the roof, not the whole building, and it is not a RICS home survey. It works alongside a home survey.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is frequently shared, so the building owner or managing agent needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Do you need to go inside the property?
Where we can, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If access is not possible, we note it in the report.
Useful tips for Apsley End property owners
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Ask for any paperwork for recent roof work
- Book once your offer is accepted
- For a flat, check who is responsible for the roof
- Let us know your timetable
The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, while Premium includes a consultation in person. If anything in the report is not clear, ask us.
Chimneys and flashings need watching. Look for leaning pots, missing mortar and lifted lead. A pair of binoculars from the garden shows a lot.
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- The size of the roof
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
Every price we give includes VAT. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. You’ll know the price for your survey before booking.
What to let us know when you contact us
These details help when you contact us:
- The address and postcode of the property
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Any photos you have, taken from ground level or a window
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
What happens on the day
Expect us to ask a few questions before we start, like when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes between one and two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Somewhere as small as Apsley End, access is often the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- Once your offer has been accepted, you book and give us the address and your timescale.
- Access is arranged through you, the agent or the seller.
- The roof is inspected from each safe vantage point, inside and out.
- Coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are checked and photographed.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
How to prepare
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
Book 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. Otherwise, simply call 07833 053749 or drop us an email whenever suits you.