Greater London · London and the South East
Roof survey in Custom House, Greater London
Roof surveys in Custom House and the rest of Greater London. We survey on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Leaking gutter joints and downpipes
- Water stains on rafters and ceiling joists
- Ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs
How a roof survey works in Custom House
Roofs vary a lot across London and the South East. A Victorian or Edwardian terrace may have slate, a central valley gutter and parapet walls, while many post-war homes have concrete interlocking tiles. Whatever yours has, the survey is adapted to it. Older tiled homes may have clay plain tiles, and many homes have a flat-roofed extension too. Every part gets the attention it needs. We survey chimney stacks, lead flashings and clay and concrete tiles, and people most often book us about slipped, cracked or missing slates and tiles and cracked or blistered flat roof coverings.
Much of London’s housing is flats, in converted houses or purpose-built blocks, so roofs are often shared between several households. Whoever looks after the building needs a clear picture of the roof, chimneys and gutters. Leaks from a shared roof rarely affect just one home. With a written report and photographs, everyone can plan from the same facts.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photographs, sent by email. It sets out the condition of the roof, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Where
- Custom House (E16, E13)
- Region
- Greater London
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
Leaks rarely show up right away. Insulation, plaster and timber can all be damp before you see a stain. From inside the loft space, we can frequently spot it sooner. In a London terrace or conversion, a roof defect rarely stays your problem alone: a blocked parapet gutter or slipped slate can let water into the flat below or the house next door. Finding it early keeps the work smaller.
Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Size, height and access decide where your roof falls.
Why us?
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Surveys seven days a week
See our cost guide or two real surveys.
What we look for on each type of roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Many older houses have lead in their valleys and hidden gutters. Cracks in a lead valley can send water into the roof, and lead is a target for theft.
Flat roof coverings
Some flat roofs have been coated over several times. We say what we can see and when a closer look would need opening up.
Before and after the survey
A few practical points come up again and again on our surveys. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Keep the report with your property records
- Photograph stains when they appear
- Ask about a flat roof on an extension or garage too
- Gather any paperwork for past roof work
Standard includes a follow-up consultation to talk the findings through, while Premium includes a consultation in person. You can ask us about anything that is not clear.
Check the loft now and then, with care and a good torch. Look for water marks, damp wood and chinks of light. Photograph anything new.
Nearby places to Custom House
Also in Custom House
What we do, step by step
We’ll ask a few questions first, such as when any problem began and what work has been done before. The inspection then takes about 1–2 hours at most homes; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. In a London area like Custom House, the main things to sort out are parking and access: let us know about parking, the floor the property is on, any shared entrance and loft access. We then look at what can safely be seen from ground level, windows, the loft and, where it’s safe, the roof itself.
- We start with the property details and any concerns.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- Outside, we inspect from ground level, windows and other safe vantage points, and from the roof where safe.
- Inside, we check the roof space where there is safe access.
- We email a written report with photos and recommendations.
How to prepare
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
How to book
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Related advice
What we are asked to look at in Custom House
Every roof takes years of rain, wind, sun and frost. Wind lifts loose slates, tiles and ridge pieces, while rain gets into every gap. What starts as one slipped slate can become a leak.
It is worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or broken
- Lifted, split or missing lead flashings
- Worn or blocked valleys
- Loose chimney pots
If you live near a park such as Thames Barrier Park, or anywhere with mature trees, autumn leaves can block gutters and valleys.
Questions to ask before you book
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
Roof surveys in Custom House: local notes
The wider area around Custom House has a long history of building, with Queen's House about 2.3 miles south-west. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. The flight restriction zone around London City Airport covers Custom House, or comes right up to its edge. If the drone is used for your survey, we ask the airport for permission first, and only fly if it is given.
If you own a rental within reach of Custom House station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at. Shop and office owners around Gallions Reach Shopping Park may find that a written record of the roof’s condition helps you plan maintenance rather than react to leaks.
Custom House is about 1 mile south of Canning Town, in Greater London. We cover Custom House and the rest of Greater London, as part of our work across London and the South East. Our Greater London coverage includes Custom House.
Here we cover the E16 and E13 postcode area for roof surveys. Whether your property is on Tree Road, Ethel Road and Booth Road or a nearby road, we can help. You will find Custom House on the A1020, so it is easy for us to get to. Other places close to Custom House include West Silvertown (1 mile south-west), Silvertown (1 mile south), Canning Town (1 mile north), Royal Docks (1 mile east) and Limmo Peninsula (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include London (5 miles west), City of Westminster (8 miles west), Marylebone (8 miles west), Kensington (10 miles west), St Pancras (6 miles west) and Shoreditch (5 miles west).
Near you in Custom House
In Custom House, that means homes and buildings near Thames Barrier Park, The Royal Docks Community School and Royal Docks Academy, among other places. Custom House has its own railway station: Custom House station. Nearby you’ll also find Gallions Reach Shopping Park (2.2 miles east) and Charlton Athletic Museum (1.5 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Gilbert's Pit and Tower Hill.
What you can safely check yourself
You can learn a lot from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Never climb onto the roof to look.
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from the ground.
Your questions about roof surveys in Custom House
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Custom House station?
Yes. We survey roofs for landlords, letting agents and managing agents as well as owners. You can phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and what you need.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Custom House?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Can you inspect my roof with a drone?
Yes, where it’s applicable. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID and fly a drone under 250g, and every flight depends on the airspace and the weather.
Do you look in the roof space?
If there is a loft and safe access to it, yes. From inside, the underside of the roof often shows damp, staining or daylight that can’t be seen from outside.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It is a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Do you carry out asbestos surveys?
No. Asbestos was banned in UK construction in 1999, so older buildings may have it. We flag materials that could contain it, and recommends a specialist asbestos surveyor looks at them.
Can you look at a roof that’s joined to next door?
Yes, the part you own or can give access to. We can only look at neighbouring roofs as far as access allows. Shared chimneys and party-wall upstands are checked from your side.