Essex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Little Leighs
Know where you stand with the roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Little Leighs, with photos and a clear written report.
- Old water stains in the roof space
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
How a pre-purchase roof survey works in Little Leighs
The roof is one of the most expensive parts of a home to repair, and one of the hardest for a buyer to see. A pre-purchase roof survey looks at it closely before you’re tied in. We check the slates or tiles, the ridges and valleys, the flashings, the chimneys and the gutters, and the loft space where it’s safe to get in. You get a written report with photos. Common reasons to book are lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney and slates or tiles that have slipped or gone, on gutters and downpipes, the roof space and chimney stacks.
Being in a small place like Little Leighs makes no difference to the inspection itself: it just means planning the journey and access beforehand. If there are outbuildings with roofs you want checked, mention them when you book. Buyers and owners of new roofs get the same approach as anywhere. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photographs, emailed to you. It explains the condition of the roof, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Location
- Little Leighs (CM3)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey can’t tell you
This isn’t a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- A valuation or a promise of a lower price
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Natural slate
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
Roof by roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead-lined valleys and gutters are common on older homes in London and South East England. Splits in a lead valley send water inside, and lead is also a target for theft.
Chimney stacks
A leaning stack, cracked flaunching or crumbling pointing can all need work. We photograph them so you can raise them before exchange.
The survey, step by step
Every visit follows the same pattern: we hear what you’ve seen, look at the roof from every safe viewpoint, take photos as we go and record our findings for the written report. It typically takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof. In a hamlet or village like Little Leighs, a postcode doesn’t always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- You book once your offer is accepted and tell us the address and your timetable.
- We agree a time and how we will get in, including the loft.
- The roof is inspected from each safe vantage point, inside and out.
- We check and photograph the slates or tiles, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters.
- We email a report with photographs and recommendations, ready for you to use before exchange.
Preparing for the visit
- Keep pets in another room
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
- For flats, check roof access has been agreed
Book a survey
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
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Pre-purchase roof surveys in Little Leighs: local notes
If the drone is used for your survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. What can be done to an older roof may depend on listing or a conservation area. The council is the place to check, along with Historic England’s list.
For landlords with property near Cressing station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one.
Little Leighs is about 5 miles south-west of Braintree, in Essex. We survey roofs in Little Leighs across London and South East England. Little Leighs is one of the places in Essex we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys. For surveys nearby, see our Chelmsford page.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: CM3. We cover properties on Church Lane, Main Road and The Crescent and the roads around them. Other places close to Little Leighs include Chatham Green (1 mile south-west), Howe Street (2 miles south-west), Willows Green (2 miles north), Hartford End (2 miles west) and Ford End (3 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Chelmsford (6 miles south), Braintree (5 miles north-east), Maldon (10 miles south-east), Billericay (14 miles south), Witham (6 miles east) and Wickford (15 miles south).
Local landmarks in Little Leighs
We work in homes and buildings around The Castle pub and the streets around them. The nearest railway station is Cressing station, about 4.1 miles north-east. Other landmarks nearby include Broomfield Hospital (3.5 miles south-west). The countryside around Little Leighs includes Sandylay and Moat Woods.
Places near Little Leighs
Also in Little Leighs
Tips from our surveys
Small things make a difference, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Some pointers:
- Ask who repairs the roof under the lease
- Pass the findings to your conveyancer
- Ask the seller about past roof repairs
- Ask for loft access on the day
The report gives any roofer you ask to quote a clear brief. The photos show the defects and where they are, which makes quotes easier to compare.
Once you’ve moved in, keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear, ideally once the leaves have dropped. Blocked gutters cause much of the damp we see. Use a gutter contractor rather than going up a ladder yourself.
Questions from Little Leighs
Do you carry out roof surveys in Little Leighs?
Yes, Little Leighs is one of the places we work. The survey and report are the same in Little Leighs as anywhere else.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Little Leighs?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it’s worth checking before planning any.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it is applicable. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
When should I book a pre-purchase roof survey?
Book as soon as your offer is agreed. You need the report before you exchange, while you can still ask questions and negotiate.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We don’t sample or test for asbestos. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it is disturbed.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. Roofs over flats are frequently shared, so we need permission from whoever owns or manages the building. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
How long does the survey visit take?
Allow about one to two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. We’ll confirm what to expect when we arrange the visit.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
Your own check is a good start, 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.
Do you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Little Leighs?
Blocked or leaking gutters do damage that is not obvious at first. Overflowing water soaks walls and can rot the timber behind. Hidden gutters behind parapets or in roof valleys can send water indoors. They’re part of what we check.
Here are some of the things we see frequently:
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
- Worn or lifted lead flashings
- Patch repairs that may hide an ongoing problem
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
The streets around a church such as Church of St John the Evangelist are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, older patch repairs can hide behind a tidy front slope, and the survey looks past them.
Before booking anyone
- Their track record with similar roofs
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- Their insurance cover