Essex · London and the South East
Hadleigh Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Hadleigh from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- A ridge or slope that dips
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
Pre-purchase roof survey in Hadleigh: what you get
A Basic Survey starts from £150, with the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all inc. VAT. The Standard Survey adds moisture detection and a structural check. Premium adds thermal imaging, a drone inspection where it applies and an in-person consultation. Pick the one that fits the property. All three include a written report with photos and recommendations. If you are worried about slates or tiles that have slipped or gone and quick fixes on flashings and valleys, we can find out what’s behind it, on flat-roofed extensions and dormers, chimney stacks and clay and concrete tiles alike.
Around Hadleigh, you’ll mostly find houses and bungalows of different ages. Older roofs may still have their original slates or clay tiles, with fixings and underlay that have done a long stint. Whether you’re buying or have just had the roof replaced, that hidden layer is worth knowing about. Breathable membranes only appeared in the late 1990s, so older roofs often have bitumen felt or nothing at all.
We keep jargon out of it: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, and where it can wait, that is said too.
- Location
- Hadleigh (SS7)
- Region
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, which can make access easier.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too. Bigger roofs take more time, and they’re priced for the size.
How the survey works
When we arrive, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that’s worrying you. We then inspect everything that can safely be seen, from the ground, from windows, in the loft space and by drone where applicable. The survey usually takes about one to two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Parking around Hadleigh is usually easier than in a town centre, but mention lanes, gates or long drives. On bungalows and lower roofs, much can be seen from the ground, with the loft showing the underside.
- Once your offer is accepted, you tell us the address and when you hope to exchange.
- Access to the house and the loft space is agreed beforehand.
- We start outside, looking at the roof from ground level and from vantage points.
- Inside, we check the loft space and look at the roof from windows.
- You get a written report with photos and recommendations before you exchange.
Preparing for the visit
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we’re looking at
- Note where any stains or damp appear
Arrange a survey
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to phone 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll talk you through the options and what they cost.
Read more
What we look for on each type of roof
Natural slate
Older slate roofs often have bitumen felt under them, and very old ones may have none. From inside the loft space, we report what we can see of it.
Clay and concrete tiles
Tiled roofs often last half a century or longer. Cracked, slipped or missing tiles are noted, along with odd replacement tiles that hint at earlier leaks.
Local roofs and buyers in Hadleigh
Hadleigh lies within about 2 miles of the sea, and wind near the sea can be strong. A small drone can’t fly safely in high wind or heavy rain, so the weather on the day decides whether a flight goes ahead. Older buildings in Essex often have clay tiles and weatherboarding, and a good many post-war and modern estates besides. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
Take an older house close to Church of St James the Less: a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming. If you let a flat or house near Leigh-on-Sea station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one.
Hadleigh is about 2 miles south-east of Thundersley, in Essex. Hadleigh gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful inspection, photographs and a written report. Hadleigh is one of the places in Essex where we work for pre-purchase roof surveys. There’s also a page for Chelmsford.
We survey roofs across the SS7 postcode area for pre-purchase roof surveys and the streets around it. We cover properties on London Road, High Street and Church Road and the roads around them. Other places close to Hadleigh include Daws Heath (1 mile north), Leigh-on-Sea (2 miles east), Rayleigh (3 miles north), Eastwood (3 miles north-east) and Chalkwell (3 miles east). Larger places within reach include Chelmsford (14 miles north-west), Basildon (7 miles west), Brentwood (14 miles west), Maldon (12 miles north), Billericay (9 miles north-west) and Wickford (5 miles north-west).
What’s near Hadleigh
We work in homes and buildings around Hadleigh Farm and The King John School. The closest station to Hadleigh is Leigh-on-Sea station, about 1.6 miles south-east of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Hadleigh Castle (0.7 miles south) and Bay Museum (3 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Great Wood and Dodd's Grove.
Towns and villages near Hadleigh
More services for Hadleigh
Questions from Hadleigh
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Hadleigh?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Will you come out to Hadleigh?
Yes, we do. Our area covers London and South East England, and smaller places are part of that. The journey is planned ahead, so it is useful to know about access.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. We don’t carry out asbestos surveys or testing. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, like cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before any work.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
Book as soon as your offer is agreed. The report is most useful before exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it is applicable. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Surveys run on any day of the week. To arrange a date, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are often shared, so we need permission from the building owner or managing agent. We can only inspect what we’re given access to.
How we price pre-purchase roof surveys
What a survey costs depends on the time and equipment it needs. That comes down to:
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- The shape of the roof and its details
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.
Getting in touch
What helps most when you contact us:
- Any deadline, like an exchange date
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- What made you get in touch
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. To book or ask a question, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Useful tips for Hadleigh property owners
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Some tips:
- Give your solicitor a copy of the report
- Let us know your timetable
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Find out whether the roof has been replaced or patched
You may want to pass the report to your solicitor or conveyancer so they can raise enquiries with the seller’s side. It can prompt questions about past roof work and any paperwork for it.
After you move in, have leaves and moss cleared from gutters and valleys, especially after autumn. Overflowing water is behind a lot of damp. Get a professional in rather than climbing up yourself.
What a pre-purchase roof survey does not cover
It helps to know what a survey will not do before you book:
- A structural engineer’s report
- Faults hidden behind ceilings, boards or coverings
- Walls, floors, services and rooms below the roof
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will point you to the right survey. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- The roof space
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Gutters and downpipes
- Natural slate
- Chimney stacks