Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Roof survey in Datchworth, Hertfordshire
A roof condition survey for homes and buildings across Datchworth, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Call or email for a price.
- Valley linings that have cracked or split
- Ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs
- Loose ridge or hip tiles
The survey, step by step
We photograph the roof as we go, so the report shows exactly what we saw. We take close-ups from wherever is safe. A typical visit takes roughly 1–2 hours at most homes, and longer for a large or complex roof. Around Datchworth, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so it is useful to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- You get in touch with the address and anything you’ve noticed.
- We agree a date, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- We inspect from ground level, from windows, from the loft space and from the roof where safe.
- We check the coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, and photograph what we find.
- Your report arrives by email, with recommendations prioritised by urgency.
Before we arrive
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Tell us about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
Arrange a survey
Photos help, if you have them. Take them safely from ground level or a window. To send them or to book, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Related advice
Roof survey in Datchworth: what you get
There’s no single reason to have a roof surveyed. Some have seen a mark on a ceiling or bits of tile in the garden, while others just want to know where they stand. The approach is the same in each case: a careful look, then a clear written report. We survey on weekdays and at weekends, so finding a time is rarely difficult. Typical surveys look at debris building up in roof valleys and flashings that have come away from the wall, on natural slate, the roof space and ridges, hips and valleys.
Village roofs often face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. On exposed older roofs, chimneys and lead flashings are frequently the first to give way.
The Standard Survey adds 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
- Datchworth (SG3)
- Wider area
- Hertfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Also near Datchworth
More services for Datchworth
What we cannot see
In fairness, a roof survey has limits:
- An exact number of years the roof has left
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- The condition of the rest of the building (that is a RICS home survey)
If in doubt, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll recommend the right survey. What our survey covers.
What we check
- Lead flashings
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- Natural slate
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Flat roofs
- Clay and concrete tiles
Signs you need a roof survey in Datchworth
Slates and tiles frequently outlast the fixings that hold them. ‘Nail fatigue’ is common on slate roofs: the nails rust and the slates slide. On tiled roofs, battens and pegs can rot, letting tiles move.
Common reasons to book include:
- Ridge tiles that have lifted or moved
- Standing water on a flat roof
- Leaking gutter joints and downpipes
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or broken
For an older house near a landmark like Church of All Saints, old fixings, lead flashings and tall chimneys are typical of older roofs.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- What happens after the report arrives
- Their report turnaround times
- What they will not be able to tell you
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
Landlords, agents and block managers in Datchworth
If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To discuss a number of properties, phone 07833 053749 or email us with the addresses.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client.
How the survey changes by roof type
Flat roof coverings
Felt flat roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM rubber often lasts 30 to 50 years and GRP up to about 30. We check its condition and the signs of age.
Clay plain and peg tiles
Tile-hanging on walls and dormer cheeks is checked as part of the roof where it’s relevant. Gaps in tile-hanging let water reach the wall behind.
Can I check my roof myself?
Your own check is a good start, but it is not a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
A lot can be seen from ground level. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
Datchworth homes and their roofs
Where the drone is part of the survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first. About 1.9 miles north lies Aston Bury, a reminder of how long the area around Datchworth has been built on. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years.
If you own a rental within reach of Knebworth station, a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant. If you look after a building like St Michael's Woolmer Green CofE VA Primary School, a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time.
Datchworth is about 4 miles north of Welwyn Garden City, in Hertfordshire. We visit Datchworth as part of our work across Hertfordshire. We cover towns and villages across Hertfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. There is also a page for London.
Every address in SG3 is covered for roof surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you need a roof survey at a property on Brookbridge Lane, Nutcroft and Meadow Close or a nearby road, we can survey it. If you are just outside Datchworth, we cover Bull's Green (1 mile south), Woolmer Green (1 mile west), Burnham Green (1 mile south), Hook's Cross (1 mile north-east) and Tewin Wood (1 mile south). Further out, we also cover Hemel Hempstead (15 miles south-west), Stevenage (4 miles north), St Albans (10 miles south-west), Bishop's Stortford (14 miles east), Welwyn Garden City (4 miles south) and Harpenden (8 miles west).
Near you in Datchworth
We work in homes and buildings around The Tilbury pub. Datchworth’s nearest station is Knebworth station, roughly 1.6 miles north-west of the centre. Nearby you will also find Benington Castle (3.5 miles north-east) and Datchworth Museum (within half a mile south). Open spaces near Datchworth include Mardley Heath.
Datchworth questions
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Knebworth station?
Yes. We survey roofs for landlords, letting agents and managing agents as well as owners. You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and what you need.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Datchworth?
We can’t confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Is your survey a structural engineer’s report?
No. If we see signs that need an engineer, such as serious sagging, we’ll say so. We do not provide structural calculations.
Do you work in Datchworth?
Yes. Our area covers London and South East England, Datchworth included.
How long will you be at the property?
It typically takes between one and two hours at most homes, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. Report times depend on the package.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once access has been agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is frequently shared, so we need permission from whoever owns or manages the building. We inspect only the parts we are allowed to reach.
Can you tell me how long my roof will last?
We don’t give a number of years. We describe the condition of each part of the roof and how it’s wearing, with recommendations ranked by urgency.