Essex · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Roydon, Essex
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Roydon from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Chimney mortar that has eroded
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
- Old water stains in the roof space
What we do, step by step
The aim of the visit is simple: to look at the roof as closely as is safe and record what we find. Notes and photographs go into the written report. The visit usually takes between one and two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. Rural addresses near Roydon can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- We help you pick the package that suits the property.
- A date is booked on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- The coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Standard and Premium surveys add the extra checks they include.
- You receive the report, with findings prioritised by urgency, so you can raise them with the seller.
Getting ready for the survey
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we are looking at
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
- Let us know about parking near the property
Book a survey
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from ground level or a window; never climb up to get a better view. To send them or to book, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Related advice
Pre-purchase roof survey in Roydon: what you get
The roof is one of the most expensive parts of a home to repair, and one of the hardest for a buyer to see. Our pre-purchase roof survey gives you a proper look at it before you are committed. We look at the slates or tiles, the ridges and valleys, the flashings, the chimneys and the gutters, plus the loft where there is safe access. You get a written report with photos. If you’ve noticed roof slopes that look uneven or sagging and lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney, we can find out what’s behind it.
Older buildings in small places like Roydon 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’re buying or signing off new roofing, it’s worth knowing where you stand, as well as what condition the roof is in. There are about 500,000 listed buildings and around 10,000 conservation areas in England.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- Roydon (CM19)
- Region
- Essex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Honest limits
Some things can’t be seen without opening up the roof, and that sets some limits:
- The condition of the rest of the house (that’s a RICS home survey)
- Asbestos testing of any kind
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer. What a survey covers and does not.
Roof types and parts we check
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Natural slate
- Gutters and downpipes
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
Landlords, agents and block managers in Roydon
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, with the most urgent items set out first.
With a portfolio of properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To discuss a number of properties, call 07833 053749 or email us with the addresses.
Also near Roydon
Other services in Roydon
DIY checks: what’s safe
What you cannot do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where applicable.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Don’t go up yourself.
Roydon questions
How do I find out if my home in Roydon is listed?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Is Roydon within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We work right across London and the South East, from towns to the smallest villages. The journey is planned ahead, so it’s useful to know about access.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes. Shared roofs just need a little more planning. Mention it when you get in touch and we will explain what’s needed.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. Our report may flag materials that could contain asbestos, but confirming it is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it.
Will you climb onto the roof?
When conditions and the roof make it safe, yes. Many roofs can be seen well from windows, vantage points and the loft, and a drone is part of the Premium Survey where it applies.
Can I use the report to negotiate on price?
Yes. You might ask for work to be done, ask questions or ask for a change to the price. The outcome is between you and the seller.
Do you need to go inside the property?
If it can be arranged, yes. Inside, the loft shows leaks, damp timbers and the underlay. If access is not possible, we note it in the report.
Prices for pre-purchase roof surveys in Roydon
Our packages start from £150, including VAT. The price for your roof depends on:
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Which survey package you book
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
A Basic Survey starts from £150, with VAT included. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, both inc. VAT. We confirm the price for your roof before booking.
What to let us know when you contact us
The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, let us know:
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- When you need the report by
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
When you’re ready to go ahead, call 07833 053749 or email us. We’ll suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Before and after the survey
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- For a flat, check who is responsible for the roof
- Ask for loft access on the day
- Ask whether there are papers for past roof work
- Look for fresh paint on upstairs ceilings at viewings
After you move in, keep the report somewhere safe. Work through the urgent items before anything else, and use the photos as a record of how the roof looked when you bought. Premium comes with a follow-up after 12 months.
After you move in, have leaves and moss cleared from gutters and valleys, especially after autumn. Blocked gutters cause much of the damp we see. Get a professional in rather than climbing up yourself.
Roydon homes and their roofs
If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. An older home may be listed, or stand in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent.
If you let a flat or house near Roydon station, a written report helps before buying a rental or paying for a new roof on one. Take an older house close to St Peter's Church: a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Roydon is about 3 miles north-east of Hoddesdon, in Essex. Roydon is part of the area we cover as part of our work across London and South East England. Our area takes in places right across Essex. We also survey roofs in Chelmsford.
Pre-purchase roof surveys in CM19 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Streets in the area include High Street, Temple Mead and Church Mead, and we cover them all. Close by, we survey roofs in Halls Green (1 mile south), Roydon Hamlet (1 mile south), Stanstead Abbotts (2 miles north-west), Tylerscross (2 miles south-east) and Great Parndon (2 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Harlow (3 miles east), Brentwood (15 miles south-east), Loughton (9 miles south), Waltham Abbey (6 miles south), Great Dunmow (15 miles north-east) and Epping (6 miles south-east).
Local landmarks in Roydon
Around Roydon, our work takes us to homes and buildings near White Hart Public House and Hawkenbury Meadow, among other places. There is a railway station in Roydon itself: Roydon station. Nearby you’ll also find Lowewood Museum (2.5 miles south-west) and Princess Alexandra Hospital (2 miles east). For a walk, there’s Hunsdon Mead.