Essex · London and the South East
Hutton Pre-Purchase Roof Survey
Not sure what state the roof is in? We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Hutton and across Essex.
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
Hutton: your questions answered
Is Hutton in the area you cover?
Yes. Our area covers London and the South East, and Hutton is part of that. Just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us about the property.
Is my home in Hutton listed or in a conservation area?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Do you need access inside the house?
If it can be arranged, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If access isn’t possible, we note it in the report.
Is a roof survey worth having alongside a home survey?
That depends on how much you want to know about the roof. Home surveys sometimes suggest a closer look at the roof, and that is where a roof survey helps. It is not a replacement for a RICS survey.
Is your roof survey a RICS survey?
No. It’s a roof survey by an experienced roof surveyor, and you get a written report with photos. It isn’t a RICS survey and doesn’t cover the rest of the house.
At what stage of buying should I get the roof surveyed?
Book as soon as your offer is agreed. The report is most useful before exchange, because after that the roof is yours to deal with.
How long does a pre-purchase roof survey take?
The visit typically takes about 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. We’ll confirm what to expect when we arrange the visit.
Pre-purchase roof surveys for homes and businesses in Hutton
If you are buying a flat, the roof may well be shared. Depending on the lease, roof repairs may fall to the building owner or a management company, with costs often passed on through the service charge. We check as much of the roof as access safely allows, and the report helps you ask your solicitor or the managing agent the right questions. Where the building has a flat roof, it is checked as far as access allows. Common reasons to book are gutters choked with leaves and moss and a ridge or slope that dips, across chimney stacks, natural slate and the roof space.
Houses in smaller places like Hutton can stand more in the open than those in a built-up town, which can mean more wind and rain on the roof. Loose ridge tiles, lifted coverings and tired flashings are the kind of things that show it. For a purchase or a new roof, those exposed edges are checked closely. On an exposed roof, a loose ridge or verge soon becomes a bigger job.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Location
- Hutton (CM13)
- Region
- Essex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Local roofs and buyers in Hutton
Clay tiles and timber weatherboarding mark out many of the older buildings in Essex, and lots of post-war and modern estates besides. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most. Historic houses such as Ingatestone Hall, about 2.6 miles north-east, show how far back building in the area around Hutton goes. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
If you own a rental within reach of Shenfield station, a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer.
Hutton is about 2 miles east of Brentwood, in Essex. We visit Hutton as part of our work across Essex. We cover towns and villages across Essex, large and small. You can also see our page for Chelmsford.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: CM13. If you need a pre-purchase roof survey at a property on Wash Road, Byron Road and Cedar Road or a nearby road, we can survey it. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Hutton Mount (1 mile west), Havering's Grove (1 mile east), Mountnessing (2 miles north), Shenfield (2 miles west) and Ingrave (2 miles south). We also work in nearby towns such as Chelmsford (9 miles north-east), Basildon (6 miles south-east), Harlow (14 miles north-west), Maldon (15 miles north-east), Canvey Island (12 miles south-east) and Billericay (3 miles east).
What’s near Hutton
Typical jobs here are in homes near Hutton Country Park, Shenfield High School and The Chequers Public House With Attached Stable And Bakehouse and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Shenfield station, about 1.2 miles west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Brentwood Community Hospital (1.9 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Thorndon Park.
Other services in Hutton
Roof by roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Many older houses have lead in their valleys and hidden gutters. Splits in a lead valley send water inside, and missing lead is not unknown, as it is a target for thieves.
Clay and concrete tiles
Clay and concrete tiles commonly last 50 years or more. We check for slipped, cracked and missing tiles, and for mismatched replacements that point to past repairs.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Sellers aren’t always aware of roof problems. Their answers on the property forms only cover what they know about. Our survey shows you the roof as it is today. In a smaller place like Hutton, wherever a roof is exposed, a loose ridge or flashing does not stay loose for long. Each storm lifts it a little further, and water follows.
Every price we give includes VAT, and the report isn’t charged as an extra. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
What you get with us
- An independent view of the roof
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Insured for professional indemnity and public liability
- 98% customer satisfaction
See what a roof survey costs or what we found on two real jobs.
When to book a survey in Hutton
The fixings and underlay frequently fail before good slates or tiles do. Good slate can last well over a century, but corroded nails let slates slip. That kind of wear is common on older roofs.
Common reasons to book include:
- Quick fixes on flashings and valleys
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- A ridge or slope that dips
If yours is one of the older homes in the streets near St Peter's, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Before booking anyone
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
What happens on the day
Once we’ve finished looking, we write up our findings as a photo-illustrated written report, sent to you by email. On timing, most surveys take roughly 1–2 hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. For a survey in Hutton, we agree the time, the access and parking before the day. Weekday and weekend visits are both possible. Let us know about any garages, outbuildings or extensions you want included.
- You book once your offer is accepted and let us know the address and your timetable.
- Access is arranged through you, the agent or the seller.
- We look at the roof from ground level, from windows, from the loft space and from the roof where safe.
- Coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are checked and photographed.
- You receive a written report with photos and recommendations to read before exchange.
Before we arrive
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Note where any stains or damp appear
Book a survey
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. To book or ask a question, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Related advice
Landlords, agents and block managers in Hutton
Letting agents frequently book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. Access is agreed with the tenant ahead of time.
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Bigger roofs take more time, so they’re priced to suit.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t 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.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.