Essex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Chickney
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Chickney, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photographs.
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
DIY checks: what’s safe
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That is where a survey comes in.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it.
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Chickney
Book after your offer is accepted and before exchange. That’s when the findings are most useful, while you are not yet committed. Visits run on weekdays and at weekends, which helps when a sale is moving quickly. Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. We are often asked to look into bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs and old water stains in the roof space, on lead flashings and valleys, chimney stacks and the roof space.
For a small place like Chickney, the visit is planned like any other: the journey, parking and access are simply agreed beforehand. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages with roofs you’d like looked at when booking, so the visit can be planned around them. Whether you’re buying or checking new work, the same care goes into it. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photos, emailed to you. It sets out the condition of the roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Where
- Chickney (CM6)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Questions from Chickney
Is Chickney within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned ahead of time.
Can you fly a drone over a roof in Chickney?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. The flight restriction zone around Stansted Airport comes within about 1 mile of Chickney. We check the exact boundary for the address before flying, and if the roof falls inside it, we ask for permission first. High wind or heavy rain also stops a small drone flying, though the rest of the survey goes ahead either way.
Is this the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It is a roof survey by an experienced roof surveyor, and you get a written report with photos. It doesn’t cover the rest of the property, which a RICS survey does.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so we need permission from whoever owns or manages the building. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
How long will you be at the property?
The visit typically takes an hour or two at a typical home, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. We will give you an idea of timing as you book.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
Once your offer has been accepted, and before exchange. That way you can still act on what we find.
Does someone need to be in?
If the survey includes the loft or the inside of the building, someone needs to let us in. We will talk about access when booking.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Chickney
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Small roof defects let water in slowly. Damp can spread into timbers and ceilings before anyone sees a mark. Spotting it before you buy means you know about it from day one. For older village homes like those around Chickney, the right replacement materials are not always easy to find quickly. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all including VAT. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Chickney
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- Package prices that include VAT
- An independent look at the roof
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
Take a look at our cost guide or our case studies.
Signs you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Chickney
Rear extensions, dormers and garages frequently have flat roofs. Felt flat roofs frequently last around 15 to 20 years, and ponding, blisters and splits are common signs of age. They’re easy to overlook on a viewing, especially when they’re only visible from an upper floor.
Things that frequently lead to a survey include:
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Standing water on a flat extension roof
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
Landlords with a home close to Stansted Airport station may find that a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Their report turnaround times
Pre-purchase roof surveys around Chickney
Chickney is about 1 mile from the edge of the flight restriction zone around Stansted Airport. If your survey includes the drone, we check the exact boundary for the address before flying. Older buildings in Essex often have clay tiles and weatherboarding, while many towns grew with post-war and newer estates. The covering on a house you’re buying, or on a roof just finished, tells us where to look hardest.
Historic houses such as Horham Hall, about 1.7 miles north, show how far back building around Chickney goes. Older homes in the area can come with listed status or conservation area rules, which affect re-roofing, so check with the council before you buy. If you live in an older home near Church of St Mary the Virgin, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Chickney is about 4 miles north-west of Great Dunmow, in Essex. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Chickney for houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings. We cover towns and villages across Essex, from the larger towns to small villages. Chelmsford is in our area too.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: CM6. We also cover the places around Chickney: Tilty (1 mile east), Duton Hill (1 mile east), Great Easton (2 miles south-east), Monk Street (2 miles north-east) and Sibley's Green (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Chelmsford (15 miles south-east), Braintree (11 miles east), Harlow (13 miles south-west), Saffron Walden (8 miles north), Halstead (14 miles east) and Great Dunmow (4 miles south-east).
Landmarks near Chickney
The closest station to Chickney is Stansted Airport station, roughly 2.5 miles south-west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Little Easton Moat (2.4 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Portingbury Hills and Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve.
The survey, step by step
You don’t need to do much on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, like stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. In a small place like Chickney, access is normally the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- Once your offer has been accepted, you book and give us the address and your timescale.
- We agree a time and how we will get in, including the loft.
- We check the roof from ground level, from windows, from the roof space and from the roof where 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.
Before we arrive
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Let us know about parking near the property
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Getting a price
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Related advice
When you need someone else
Every survey has limits, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Keep these in mind:
- Structural calculations (that is a structural engineer’s job)
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
- Whether the price should change, which is between you and the seller
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or email us and we will tell you before you book. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Chickney
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Gutters and downpipes
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings and valleys