Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Holwellbury Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Get a clear view of the roof at a property in Holwellbury. We visit on weekdays and at weekends.
- Sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
Should I look at the roof myself first?
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Do not go up yourself.
Your own check is a good start, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Holwellbury
A RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey covers the whole building, so the roof is one item among many. We do not offer a RICS home survey, and ours is not a substitute for one. What it adds is a closer look at the roof alone, with photos and written recommendations you can act on. You can have both if you want the fullest picture. If you’ve noticed slates or tiles that have slipped or gone and roof slopes that look uneven or sagging, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Older buildings in small places like Holwellbury may be listed or in a conservation area. If so, re-roofing in different materials may need consent, so check with the council before work starts. Whether you are 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.
You receive the findings by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24–48 hours for Standard and same day for Premium.
- Location
- Holwellbury (SG5)
- Wider area
- Hertfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Holwellbury: local notes
Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile, and flat-roofed additions turn up almost everywhere. Material and age explain a lot of what turns up on the day, whether the roof is old or brand new.
If you own a rental within reach of Arlesey station, a survey before purchase, or before signing off a new roof, saves surprises once a tenant moves in. For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Peter (C of E) at Corner with Holwell Road, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Holwellbury is about 3 miles north-west of Letchworth, in Hertfordshire. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Holwellbury can all book pre-purchase roof surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. Our area takes in places right across Hertfordshire, large and small. Our Milton Keynes page covers surveys nearby.
We work across SG5 for pre-purchase roof surveys and the streets around it. We also cover the places around Holwellbury: Ickleford (2 miles south), Westmill (3 miles south), Bearton (3 miles south), Letchworth Garden City (3 miles south-east) and Walsworth (3 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Stevenage (8 miles south-east), Welwyn Garden City (14 miles south), Harpenden (13 miles south), Hitchin (3 miles south), Stotfold (3 miles north-east) and Baldock (5 miles east).
Local landmarks in Holwellbury
In Holwellbury, that means homes and buildings near The Priory School and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Arlesey station, about 2.4 miles north-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Fairfield Hospital (2.1 miles east) and Wymondley Castle (4.6 miles south-east). Not far away are Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadows and Markham's Hill.
Why get it checked now?
Once you exchange, the roof’s problems become yours. Before then, you can still ask questions, ask for work to be done or reconsider. Finding out later gives you the same facts, but too late to use them in the purchase. Around Holwellbury, older homes frequently have old roof timbers, and water through a failed covering can rot timber if it is left.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on the size and height of the roof, access and the package you choose.
What you get with us
- 98% of clients satisfied
- An independent view of the roof
- A written report with photos
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
Read what a roof survey costs or our case studies.
What a survey costs
Survey packages start from £150, including VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- The roof’s overall size
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. You’ll know the figure before booking.
Helping us price your survey
A little information up front helps. Please include:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- When you need the report by
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.
Towns and villages near Holwellbury
Other services in Holwellbury
Holwellbury questions
Do you cover smaller places like Holwellbury?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Is my home in Holwellbury listed or in a conservation area?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Does someone need to be in?
That depends on the survey. For inside areas and the roof space, someone has to give us access.
Do you need to go inside the property?
Where we can, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If access isn’t possible, we note it in the report.
What insurance do you have?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Does your survey replace a RICS home survey?
No. It’s a dedicated roof survey, with a written report and photographs. It is not a RICS survey and doesn’t cover the rest of the house.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, over more than 20 years.
Tips that help
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Tips:
- Ask who repairs the roof under the lease
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
- Don’t leave it until just before exchange
- Look for fresh paint on upstairs ceilings at viewings
With Standard, you get a follow-up consultation, while Premium includes a consultation in person. Whichever package you choose, you can ask us what a finding means.
After strong winds, look at the roof from the ground. Pieces of slate or tile in the garden mean something has moved. Dealing with them early keeps water out.
How it works
There is not much for you to do on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we’ll take it from there. A typical survey takes between one and two hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. Somewhere like Holwellbury needs a little journey planning: let us know about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. On the day, we inspect what can be seen safely, inside and out.
- You book once your offer is accepted and let us know the address and your timetable.
- We arrange access with you, the agent or the seller.
- We check the roof from ground level, from windows, from the loft 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 the survey
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
Book a survey
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Related advice
For landlords and managing agents
Landlords, agents and building managers in Holwellbury and across Hertfordshire can book any of our surveys. For a price for a let property or a block, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in, at a time agreed in advance. Surveys run on any day of the week, which can make access easier.