Essex · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Fordham, Essex
A careful look at the roof at your property in Fordham, with photographs and a written report.
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Blocked or leaking gutters
- Loose pots and cracked flaunching
Pre-purchase roof survey in Fordham: what you get
Many older houses carry decades of roof repairs. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Most of it can’t be seen from the street. Our survey picks it out, with photos so you can see it for yourself. We explain each finding in plain English, so you know what it means for the house you’re buying. Typical surveys look at a ridge or slope that dips and signs of past leaks inside the loft, on clay and concrete tiles, lead flashings and valleys and gutters and downpipes.
Older buildings in small places like Fordham 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 are buying or signing off new roofing, it’s worth knowing where you stand. There are about 500,000 listed buildings and around 10,000 conservation areas in England.
Findings are set out part by part, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets, with a note and a photo for each point. It records what’s sound as well as what is not.
- Where
- Fordham (CO6)
- Region
- Essex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
What a survey costs
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- Which survey package you book
- The shape of the roof and its details
Every price we give includes VAT. Prices start from £150, including VAT. We confirm the exact price before booking.
Helping us price your survey
These details help when you get in touch:
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
- The property’s address and postcode
Once you know what you need, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Fordham: local notes
If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. England has around 10,000 conservation areas and about 500,000 listed buildings. If your home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission, so the council is the place to ask.
If you own a rental within reach of Chappel & Wakes Colne station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one.
Fordham is about 5 miles north-west of Colchester, in Essex. We cover Fordham and the rest of Essex, as part of our work across London and the South East. Our Essex coverage includes Fordham. Our Chelmsford page covers surveys nearby.
We survey roofs across CO6 for pre-purchase roof surveys. That includes homes and businesses on Church Road, Herring's Way and Sunnyside Road and the roads around them. We also cover Fordham Heath (1 mile south), Gallows Green (1 mile south), Wormingford (2 miles north), West Bergholt (2 miles east) and Little Horkesley (3 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Colchester (5 miles south-east), Braintree (11 miles west), Maldon (14 miles south), Witham (11 miles south-west), Camulodunum (4 miles south-east) and Halstead (7 miles west).
Near you in Fordham
Around Fordham, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Three Horseshoes Public House and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Chappel & Wakes Colne station, about 1.9 miles west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Severalls Hospital (3.9 miles east) and Mount Bures (2.9 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Sergeants Orchard.
Why get it checked now?
A good many buyers go ahead anyway, but with their eyes open. You’ll know which jobs are urgent and which can wait, so you can plan work before small faults get bigger. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like Fordham, driving rain gets into any weakness, and damp in older walls is slow to dry out.
There are three survey packages: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, all inc. VAT. The price for your roof depends on its size, access and what you need to know.
What you get with us
- Package prices that include VAT
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Surveys seven days a week
Read our cost guide and two real surveys.
What happens on the day
On the day, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that is worrying you. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen, from ground level, from windows, in the loft space and by drone where applicable. Most surveys take an hour or two at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Somewhere as small as Fordham, access is often the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- Once your offer is accepted, you tell us the address and when you hope to exchange.
- Access to the house and the roof space is agreed ahead of time.
- The visit begins outside, from ground level and any safe vantage points.
- We then look from upstairs windows and inside the loft where it’s safe.
- The report is emailed with photos and recommendations, ready to use before exchange.
Before the survey
- Leave a clear route to the loft
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
- Check we can get to the back of the property
How to book
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.
Related advice
Common roof problems in Fordham
Many roofs have had quick fixes over the years. Bitumen over flashings, mortar fillets in place of lead and odd replacement tiles can point to a problem that keeps coming back. Our report records them so you can ask the seller what was done and when.
A survey can pick up problems like:
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or gone
- Old water stains in the roof space
- Flashings that have lifted or split
If you live in an older home near Church of All Saints, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Questions to ask before you book
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- What happens after the report arrives
- What the survey will not cover
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
Places near Fordham
What else we do in Fordham
Different roofs, different checks
Flat roofs
Flat roofs on extensions, dormers and garages are easy to forget about. Felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, EPDM rubber 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30. We look for signs of age and failure.
Chimney stacks
Our chimney check is a visual one, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection. If a flue needs testing, we’ll suggest who to ask.
Tips from our surveys
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Share the report with your solicitor
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
- Ask for any paperwork for recent roof work
With the findings in hand, you can talk to the seller or their agent. You might ask for the work to be done before completion, or ask to adjust the price. What happens next is your decision and the seller’s.
Every so often, check the loft with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Damp patches, daylight through the roof or water stains on timbers are worth noting. Photos help if you later need a roofer or another survey.
Questions from Fordham
Is Fordham within the area you cover?
Yes, Fordham is on our map. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Do you carry out roof surveys in Fordham?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and Fordham is part of that. Just phone 07833 053749 or email us and tell us about the property, and we’ll talk through which survey suits.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and every flight depends on the airspace and the weather.
Is your roof survey a RICS survey?
No. It is a dedicated roof survey, and you get a written report with photos. It is not a RICS survey and does not cover the rest of the house.
Can you survey in bad weather?
It depends on the weather and the survey. In high wind or heavy rain, a drone can’t fly and access may not be safe, so we’d move the date with you.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Visits run seven days a week in the daytime, which suits people who work during the week. Let us know your preferred days when you book.
How do I arrange a pre-purchase roof survey in Fordham?
To arrange a survey, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and tell us the address and what you want to find out. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.