Essex · London and the South East
Pre-Purchase Roof Survey in Writtle
Find out what’s going on with the roof before you spend money on it. We carry out pre-purchase roof surveys in Writtle.
- Ponding, blisters or splits on a flat roof
- Bitumen or mortar used in place of proper repairs
- Slipped or missing slates and tiles
Writtle homes and their roofs
In Essex, older buildings are frequently clay-tiled, many with weatherboarding, and plenty of post-war and modern estates besides. Each material has its own typical faults, which is what a buyer or the owner of a new roof needs to know about. Historic houses such as Hylands, about 1.4 miles south-east, show how far back building in the area around Writtle goes. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area.
If you live in an older home near Church of All Saints, a survey will show how the roof has been repaired before, which helps you judge what’s coming.
Writtle is about 3 miles west of Chelmsford, in Essex. Wherever you are in Writtle, we can carry out pre-purchase roof surveys at your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Across Essex, we cover Writtle.
Postcode districts we cover here for pre-purchase roof surveys: CM1. Streets in the area include Millfields, Well Field and Little Meadow, all of which we cover. If you are just outside Writtle, we cover Widford (2 miles south-east), Moulsham (2 miles east), Chignall St James (2 miles north), Patching (2 miles north-east) and Chelmsford (3 miles east). We also work in nearby towns like Basildon (11 miles south), Braintree (12 miles north-east), Harlow (13 miles west), Brentwood (9 miles south-west), Maldon (11 miles east) and Billericay (7 miles south).
Local landmarks in Writtle
Around Writtle, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Rose And Crown Public House, Hylands School and Central Park. The nearest railway station is Chelmsford station, roughly 2.1 miles east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Peter Edwards Museum And Library (2 miles east) and Bond Street Chelmsford (2.4 miles east). Not far away are Newland Grove.
Pre-purchase roof survey in Writtle
The best time to book is once your offer has been accepted and before you exchange contracts. At that point you can still ask questions, while you’re not yet committed. We survey on any day of the week, which helps when a sale is moving quickly. The report comes within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. We survey flat-roofed extensions and dormers, gutters and downpipes and lead flashings and valleys, and common reasons people get in touch are old water stains in the roof space and sagging ridge lines or uneven roof slopes.
Bungalows, chalet bungalows and older cottages are common in smaller places like Writtle, and many have been extended or had dormers added. Even on a low roof, dormers, valleys and flat-roofed additions need a careful look. The same goes for a purchase or a new roof around Writtle. Snags and wear both tend to show at dormer lead work and along flat-roof edges.
You can share the report with anyone who needs it: a seller or estate agent, an insurer, a roofer, a builder or a managing agent.
- Location
- Writtle (CM1)
- Region
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Honest limits
We only report everything that’s safely in view on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- A structural engineer’s report
- Confirmation of asbestos in cement sheets or soffits
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll tell you before booking. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- The roof space
- Natural slate
- Chimney stacks
- Lead flashings and valleys
- Flat-roofed extensions and dormers
- Gutters and downpipes
- Clay and concrete tiles
The survey, step by step
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. The visit normally takes roughly 1–2 hours at a typical home, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. In a smaller place like Writtle, parking is seldom the issue; lanes, gates and long drives are worth mentioning. Low roofs on bungalows can often be seen well from the ground, and the loft shows the rest, while taller roofs may need other vantage points or the drone where it applies.
- You book once your offer is accepted and let us know the address and your timetable.
- We agree a time and how we’ll get in, including the loft.
- We inspect the roof from ground level, windows, the loft and the roof itself where it is safe.
- Coverings, ridges, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are checked and photographed.
- We email a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations, ready for you to use before exchange.
Preparing for the visit
- Let us know where we can park nearby
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Book a survey
To book a survey, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We’ll confirm the price before you book.
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FAQs for Writtle
How do I find out if my home in Writtle 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.
Is Writtle in the area you cover?
We do. The survey and report are the same in Writtle as anywhere else, and visits run on weekdays and weekends.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is often shared, so we need permission from the building owner or managing agent. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it is applicable and safe, yes. We fly a sub-250g drone and we’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID). Drone inspection is part of the Drone Roof Survey and the Premium Survey, where applicable.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We carry out surveys seven days a week. To find a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Should I get a roof survey as well as a RICS home survey?
It’s your choice, but the two do different jobs. A home survey looks at the whole property, and ours concentrates on the roof alone. Our survey complements a RICS survey and does not replace one.
How long will you be at the property?
Allow about one to two hours at the house you’re buying, depending on its size and how much of the roof can be seen. We will give you an idea of timing when booking.
What affects the price in Writtle
The price reflects the time and kit the roof needs. The main factors are:
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Basic, Standard or Premium
All our prices include VAT. Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for your roof before booking.
Getting in touch
When you call or email, these details help:
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
For a price for pre-purchase roof surveys in Writtle, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. The address, the type of property and what you’d like to know help us price the survey accurately.
Signs you need a pre-purchase roof survey in Writtle
Rear extensions, dormers and garages often have flat roofs. Felt flat roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, and standing water, blisters and splits are typical signs of ageing. They’re easy to overlook on a viewing, especially when they’re only visible from an upper floor.
A survey can pick up problems such as:
- Flashings that have lifted or split
- Gutters choked with leaves and moss
- Blistered or split felt on a flat roof
- Signs of past leaks inside the loft
For landlords with property near Chelmsford station, the roof is worth checking before you add another property to a portfolio or pay a roofer in full.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- What exactly goes into their report
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Their insurance cover
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
Why it is worth a survey now in Writtle
Sellers are not always aware of roof problems. The forms they complete only show what they’re aware of. An independent look tells you how the roof is now. Blocked gutters on homes around Writtle overflow and soak walls. It’s easy to sort the cause early and slow to dry a damp wall.
Pre-purchase roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, with VAT included.
Why book us in Writtle
- Drone and thermal imaging surveys available
- A report with photos
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Clear package prices, with VAT included
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced or our case studies.
Also near Writtle
What else we do in Writtle
Different roofs, different checks
Chimney stacks
Chimney stacks take the brunt of the weather. The pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings are all checked, as far as we can see them safely.
Clay and concrete tiles
Clay plain tiles are common on older South East homes, and some still have peg tiles. Rotten pegs let tiles slide.