Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Apsley
A careful look at the roof at your property in Apsley, with photographs and a written report.
- Gutters that overflow or drip at the joints
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Apsley
Many older houses carry decades of roof repairs. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Little of that is easy to judge from the pavement on a viewing. Our survey picks it out, with photos that show you exactly where. Each finding is explained in plain words, so it is clear what it means for your purchase. If you’ve noticed roof slopes that look uneven or sagging and flashings that have lifted or split, we can find out what’s behind it, on clay and concrete tiles, natural slate and flat-roofed extensions and dormers alike.
In a smaller place like Apsley, some houses face open ground, so their roofs may take more wind and driving rain. Ridges, verges and flashings are where that weather usually shows first. For a purchase or a new roof, those exposed edges are checked closely. Wind lifts anything already loose, so a small fault on an exposed roof doesn’t stay small for long.
Most points in the report come with a picture, so you can see each defect rather than just read about it. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Where
- Apsley (HP3, HP1, HP2)
- Region
- Hertfordshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey works
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof; as a rough guide, the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. You’re welcome to ask questions while we’re there. A visit to a smaller place like Apsley is no different on the day: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. Point out any stains, cracks or loose pieces you’ve spotted.
- You book once your offer is accepted and tell us the address and your timetable.
- We agree a time and how we will get in, including the loft.
- We inspect the roof from the ground, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it’s safe.
- We check and photograph the slates or tiles, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters.
- Your report arrives by email, with photos and recommendations prioritised by urgency.
How to prepare
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Keep pets in another room
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
How to book
When you are ready to go ahead, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Read more
Towns and villages near Apsley
More services for Apsley
FAQs for Apsley
Do you cover smaller places like Apsley?
Yes, Apsley is covered. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it helps to know about access.
My home in Apsley has a flat-roofed garage or porch. Is it worth having that looked at?
Usually, yes: tell us about it when you book so the visit can include it. Flat-roofed garages and porches are common in new towns like Hemel Hempstead, and older felt coverings may be near the end of their life.
Do you need access inside the house?
Ideally, yes. The loft tells us a lot about the roof, and views from upper windows help too. The agent or seller can arrange entry.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but confirming it is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Do I need to be at home?
If the survey includes the loft or the inside of the building, someone needs to let us in. We’ll talk about access as you book.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof only, and it isn’t a RICS home survey. It complements one rather than replacing it.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. On a shared roof we can only inspect the parts we’re allowed to reach.
When you need someone else
Our findings are based on what we can see safely on the day, so there are some things a survey cannot cover:
- The condition of the rest of the house (that is a RICS home survey)
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Chimney stacks
- Gutters and downpipes
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings and valleys
- The roof space
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
Checking the roof from ground level
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
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. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
What affects the price in Apsley
Survey packages start from £150, inc. VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
Price depends partly on the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all including VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
What to let us know when you get in touch
When you call or email, these details help:
- The property’s address and postcode
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Your timetable, such as an exchange date
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
We confirm the price for your survey before you book, so you know the cost up front. Prices start from £150, including VAT. To book, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Tips that help
Most of what helps is simple and safe from ground level. Our suggestions:
- Book once your offer is accepted
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Notice patches of new decoration in top-floor rooms
- Ask the agent to check the loft hatch can be opened
You may want to pass the report to your solicitor or conveyancer so questions can go to the seller’s solicitor. It can prompt questions about past roof work and any paperwork for it.
Keep an eye on chimneys and flashings in your new home. Look for leaning pots, missing mortar and lifted lead. A pair of binoculars from the garden shows a lot.
Different roofs, different checks
Natural slate
Older slate roofs frequently have bitumen felt under them, and very old ones may have none. Where we can see it from the loft, we say what condition it is in.
Lead flashings and valleys
Flashings are a common source of leaks, so they get close attention in a pre-purchase survey. Any that need attention are photographed and explained.
Local roofs and buyers in Apsley
Apsley is part of Hemel Hempstead, one of the post-war new towns. Many homes in the new towns date from the post-war decades, with concrete interlocking tiles, low-pitched roofs and flat-roofed garages and porches. Whether you are buying or replacing a roof, low pitches and flat-roofed additions deserve a careful look. About 4.1 miles south-east lies High Elms Manor, a reminder of how long the area around Apsley has been built on. If your house is among the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof.
If you own a rental within reach of Apsley station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer.
Apsley is about 1 mile south of Hemel Hempstead, in Hertfordshire. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Apsley and the surrounding area. Apsley is one of the towns and villages in Hertfordshire we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys. Our London page covers surveys nearby.
We survey roofs across the HP3, HP1 and HP2 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys and the streets around it. We offer pre-purchase roof surveys to properties on Lawn Lane, Avocet Road and Linnet Road. Other places close to Apsley include Felden (1 mile south-east), Boxmoor (1 mile north-west), Bennetts End (1 mile east), Nash Mills (1 mile south-east) and Grovehill (1 mile north). Further out, we also cover Watford (6 miles south-east), St Albans (6 miles east), Welwyn Garden City (13 miles east), Harpenden (8 miles north-east), Hatfield (10 miles east) and Borehamwood (10 miles south-east).
What’s near Apsley
We work in homes and buildings around Gadebridge Park, The Hemel Hempstead School and The Oddfellows Arms and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Apsley station, about 0.5 miles south-east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Hemel Hempstead Hospital (0.9 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Long Deans.