Essex · London and the South East
Pre-purchase roof survey in Takeley, Essex
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Takeley from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and South East England.
- Gaps where slates or tiles have come loose
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Damp timbers or stains in the loft
About our pre-purchase roof survey in Takeley
Many older houses carry decades of roof repairs. Corroded nails let slates slide, valley linings wear thin and chimney mortar erodes. Most of it can’t be seen from the street. We look closely and record what we see, with photographs that show you exactly where. Each finding is explained in plain words, so you know what it means for the house you are buying. We’re frequently asked to look into gutters that overflow or drip at the joints and bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs, on flat-roofed extensions and dormers, gutters and downpipes and chimney stacks.
For a small place like Takeley, the visit is planned like any other: it just means planning the journey and access beforehand. If there are outbuildings with roofs you want checked, mention them when booking. Buyers and owners of new roofs get the same approach as anywhere. Weekday and weekend visits are both available.
Most points in the report come with a picture, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. If something couldn’t be seen safely, the report is clear about it.
- Where
- Takeley (CM22)
- Wider area
- Essex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
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’s a target for thieves.
Chimney stacks
We inspect the outside of the stack, not a flue, gas or sweep inspection. If a flue needs testing, we will suggest who to ask.
What affects the cost of pre-purchase roof surveys
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. That comes down to:
- How big the roof is
- House, block, shop or office
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package you pick makes a difference too. We will give you the figure before anything is booked.
What we need to know
There is no need for technical words. Just tell us:
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- The kind of building and roof involved
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
If you have photos of the roof, send them over. Take them safely from the ground or a window. To get started, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Why get it checked now?
The lender’s valuation is done for the lender, not for you. Its job is to check the property’s value for the mortgage, and it will not look closely at the roof. Our survey is done for you, and the report is written for you to use. Matching old materials, like handmade tiles or stone slates, can take time to source. Spotting a problem early leaves room to find them.
To find out what your survey will cost, ring 07833 053749 or email us and tell us about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Why book us in Takeley
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
See what a roof survey costs and our case studies.
Signs you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Takeley
Gutter problems frequently look minor from the street. Water spilling over a gutter soaks brickwork and can rot fascias and rafter ends. Valley and parapet gutters can overflow inside the house. We check them as part of the survey.
It is worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Cracked flaunching or crumbling chimney pointing
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Roof slopes that look uneven or sagging
- Lead that has worked loose at a wall or chimney
Barrington Hall, about 2.4 miles south, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Takeley. Buying a period property here means asking about the roof’s age and repairs, and about any listing or conservation area.
Before you book anyone
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- When you will get the report
- Which limits apply to the survey
Also near Takeley
Other services in Takeley
How the survey 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 will get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes between one and two hours at a typical house, with time for the loft where it can be reached. In a hamlet or village like Takeley, 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 get in touch after your offer is agreed, with the address and your target exchange date.
- We agree a time and how we will get in, including the loft.
- We look at the roof from ground level, from windows, from the roof 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.
Getting ready for the survey
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Keep pets in another room
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Getting a price
We confirm the exact price before booking, so you know the cost up front. Prices start from £150, including VAT. To book, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Related advice
Pre-purchase roof surveys in Takeley: local notes
Older buildings in Essex often have clay tiles and weatherboarding, alongside a good many post-war and newer estates. For a purchase or a newly finished roof, the materials decide which details matter most. The flight restriction zone around Stansted Airport covers Takeley, or comes right up to its edge. Where the drone is part of the survey, we ask the airport for permission first, and only fly if it’s given.
Landlords with a home close to Stansted Airport station may find that a roof report gives you a clear picture before you buy or settle up with a roofer. For an older house near a landmark such as Church of the Holy Trinity, the roof’s history matters as much as its looks, and a survey brings the past repairs to light.
Takeley is about 5 miles east of Bishop's Stortford, in Essex. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Takeley can all book pre-purchase roof surveys. Our area takes in places right across Essex. Chelmsford is in our area too.
We work across CM22 for pre-purchase roof surveys. Local streets include Station Road, Dunmow Road and The Pastures, and we cover them all. Neighbouring places we cover for pre-purchase roof surveys include Takeley Street (1 mile west), Smith's Green (1 mile east), Hope End Green (1 mile south-east), Little Canfield (1 mile east) and Puttock's End (1 mile south-east). Larger places within reach include Chelmsford (13 miles south-east), Braintree (13 miles east), Harlow (9 miles south-west), Saffron Walden (11 miles north), Great Dunmow (4 miles east) and Epping (13 miles south-west).
Near you in Takeley
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Four Ashes pub and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Stansted Airport station, roughly 1.4 miles north. A little further out are Little Easton Moat (3.2 miles north-east) and Herts and Essex Hospital (3.8 miles west). The countryside around Takeley includes Portingbury Hills and Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve.
Takeley: your questions answered
Do you cover smaller places like Takeley?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
Are there drone restrictions around Takeley?
It depends on the exact address and the weather on the day. The flight restriction zone around Stansted Airport covers Takeley, or comes right up to its edge. We ask the airport for permission before flying there, and only fly if it is given. A small drone can’t fly safely in strong wind or heavy rain, though the rest of the survey goes ahead either way.
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.
Do you inspect the roof from on top?
When conditions and the roof make it safe, yes. Many roofs can be seen well from windows, vantage points and the loft.
Are you insured?
We are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
When will the report arrive?
It depends on the package: within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. Let us know your exchange date and we will help you choose.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, across 20+ years of surveying roofs, and 98% of clients are satisfied.
Tips from our surveys
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Tips:
- Arrange the survey as soon as your offer is agreed
- Check we’ll be able to get into the roof space
- Check the lease for roof repair responsibilities
- Request records of any re-roofing
It’s worth sharing the report with your solicitor so they can raise enquiries with the seller’s side. Past repairs, re-roofing and any records of that work are all fair questions.
Check the roof from the garden and the street after a storm. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles and debris on the ground are signs to act on. Dealing with them early keeps water out.