Essex · London and the South East
Roof survey in Fordham Heath, Essex
An experienced roof surveyor for roof surveys in Fordham Heath. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Worn lead at chimneys and abutments
- Gutters that overflow in heavy rain
- Debris building up in roof valleys
Roof surveys for homes and businesses in Fordham Heath
Many homes have several roofs, not just one. Flat roofs over extensions, garages and dormers are common. We check them as well as the main pitched roof, including signs of standing water, splits and tired upstands. Flat roofs often need attention long before the main roof. A felt roof often lasts around 15 to 20 years, and GRP up to about 30. We survey flat roofs, natural slate and the roof space, and people most frequently book us about water stains on rafters and ceiling joists and gaps in the roof where coverings have gone.
Some older homes in villages like Fordham Heath are listed or in a conservation area. If yours is, re-roofing in different materials may need consent, so the council is the place to check. Knowing the roof’s condition helps you plan ahead with that in mind. Older materials such as clay tiles, slate and stone are frequently matched when work is done.
The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent.
- Where
- Fordham Heath (CO3, CO6)
- Region
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
For landlords and managing agents
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, from shops and offices to industrial units. Larger roofs take longer.
Any of our surveys can be booked by landlords, agents and building managers in Fordham Heath. For a price for a let property or a block, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Roof by roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Flashings and valleys are where many leaks start. They get particular attention in every survey.
Natural slate
Many Victorian and Edwardian houses have slate roofs. Where several slates have slipped, the cause is often nail fatigue, which we describe in the report.
What happens on the day
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes between one and two hours for most houses, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Cottages and farmhouses around Fordham Heath often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. We work round each section in turn, from the safest viewpoints, and anything we can’t see is noted.
- You pick the package that suits your roof.
- We arrive at the agreed time and talk through any concerns.
- Coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Moisture detection, a structural check, thermal imaging or a drone are added where your package includes them.
- The report is emailed with findings and recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Keep pets in another room
- Make sure we can get to the back of the property
- If you are buying, let the agent know when we are coming
Book a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email. You’ll have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
Local roofs in Fordham Heath
If the drone is used for your survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying. If your home is older, it is worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before planning roof work. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas.
If you look after a building like Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time. Take an older house close to All Saints Church: its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
Fordham Heath is about 3 miles north-west of Camulodunum, in Essex. Fordham Heath gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a proper look at what can be seen safely, photographs and a clear written report. Across Essex, we cover Fordham Heath and the places around it. Our Chelmsford page covers surveys nearby.
Roof surveys in CO3 and CO6 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Local streets include Heath Road, Halstead Road and Porter's Lane, and we cover them all. Close by, we survey roofs in Gallows Green (1 mile west), Fordham (1 mile north), West Bergholt (2 miles east), Great Horkesley (3 miles north-east) and Wormingford (3 miles north). We also work in nearby towns like Colchester (4 miles east), Braintree (11 miles west), Maldon (13 miles south-west), Witham (10 miles south-west), Camulodunum (3 miles south-east) and Halstead (8 miles west).
Local landmarks in Fordham Heath
In Fordham Heath, that means homes and buildings near The Cricketers pub and The Stanway School and the streets around them. For rail, the closest station is Marks Tey station, roughly 2.1 miles south-west of the centre. A little further out are Colchester Castle (3.9 miles east) and Social History Museum (3.8 miles east). Not far away are Iron Latch.
Towns and villages near Fordham Heath
What else we do in Fordham Heath
Can I check my roof myself?
You can learn a lot 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.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
How we price roof surveys
Survey packages start from £150, with VAT included. The price for your roof depends on:
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
Prices start from £150, including VAT. Packages run from Basic at £150 through Standard at £250 to Premium at £400, inc. VAT, and we can help you choose.
Booking your survey
When you call or email, these details help:
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
Booking is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and give us a few details about the property and we will suggest the right survey. The price is agreed up front.
Fordham Heath questions
How do I find out if my home in Fordham Heath is listed?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
I let a flat near Marks Tey station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, rented property is part of what we cover. Just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us about the building, including who will give access on the day.
What’s covered in a roof inspection?
Slates or tiles, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are all checked, along with the loft where it’s safe. The report includes photos and recommendations.
Will the report say how many years my roof has left?
Not as an exact number, because so much depends on the fixings, underlay and upkeep. What we do is explain the roof’s condition and what to deal with first.
How much does a roof survey cost in Fordham Heath?
Roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. You will know the price for the job before booking. For a price, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
How many surveys have you done?
More than 5,000 surveys over 20+ years.
How do I book a survey in Fordham Heath?
Simply ring 07833 053749 or email us. After a few questions, we confirm the price and fix a day.
Common roof problems in Fordham Heath
Slates and tiles often outlast the fixings that hold them. ‘Nail fatigue’ is common on slate roofs: the nails rust and the slates slide. On tiled roofs, the battens or pegs may be what’s gone, letting tiles move.
Problems we come across frequently include:
- Condensation or damp timbers in the loft
- Lifted, split or missing lead flashings
- Debris building up in roof valleys
- Loose chimney pots
For landlords with property near Marks Tey station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
What to check before booking
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- Are they insured for the work?
- Whether the loft space is looked at, where there is one
- What experience they bring