Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Harpenden Roof Survey
Find out what’s going on with the roof before you spend money on it. Roof surveys in Harpenden, with photos and a clear written report.
- Worn or blocked valleys
- Ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs
- Ridge tiles that have lifted or moved
Roof survey in Harpenden: what you get
We inspect everything that’s safely in view: from ground level, from windows, from the loft space and from the roof where conditions allow. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging and, where applicable, a drone, which helps with tall or steep roofs. You do not need to do anything except give us access. Everything we see is photographed for the report. Typical surveys look at gaps in the roof where coverings have gone and worn or blocked valleys, on the roof space, lead flashings and natural slate.
Harpenden mixes older houses, often slate or clay tiled, with newer estates, many of them with concrete tiles. Chimneys on older houses may be redundant, capped or leaning, and their lead flashings still need to be sound. Later houses have their own typical faults, from loose ridge tiles to blocked gutters.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- Harpenden (AL5)
- Wider area
- Hertfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps with budgets and planning.
Shared roofs need a little more planning: access has to be agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you contact us and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
Useful tips for Harpenden property owners
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week, before and after a survey:
- Check the roof from the ground after storms
- Ask about a flat roof on an extension or garage too
- Do not climb onto the roof yourself
- Have details of recent roof work to hand
If you need work done, the report gives roofers a clear brief. They’ll see each defect and its location, which makes quotes easier to compare.
Look at your roof from the ground after strong winds. Slipped slates, lifted ridge tiles or pieces in the garden are signs something has moved. Getting small faults fixed quickly keeps water out.
Places near Harpenden
Other services in Harpenden
What we do, step by step
The visit usually starts outside and finishes in the loft: first the slopes, edges and gutters from every safe viewpoint, then the roof space where it can be reached. In total, it takes an hour or two for most houses, or half a day or so for a commercial building. In Harpenden, many roofs join a neighbour’s, so we look at what can be seen of the shared parts from your side. It’s useful to know about previous repairs, leaks or recent work, so time on site goes where it is needed.
- We help you choose a Basic, Standard or Premium Survey.
- On the day, we start by hearing what you’ve noticed.
- Coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are inspected and photographed.
- Extra checks are carried out where your package includes them.
- You get a written report with photos and clear recommendations.
Before we arrive
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
Book a survey
For a price for roof surveys in Harpenden, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. The address, the type of property and what you need to know help us price the survey accurately.
Advice
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Harpenden
Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters. About 2.6 miles south lies Childwickbury Manor, a reminder of how long the area around Harpenden has been built on. 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.
Landlords with a home close to Harpenden station may find that a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant. The streets around a church such as St Nicholas Church are often among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look. If you look after a building like Harpenden Academy, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale.
Harpenden is about 6 miles north-east of Hemel Hempstead, in Hertfordshire. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Harpenden can all book roof surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. We cover towns and villages across Hertfordshire, large and small. Our Milton Keynes page covers surveys nearby.
We cover every part of the AL5 postcode area for roof surveys. Whether your property is on Station Road, High Street and Connaught Road or a nearby road, we can help. You’ll find Harpenden on the B652 and B653, which makes it simple to reach. If you’re just outside Harpenden, we cover Batford (1 mile north-east), Lea Valley (1 mile east), Bower Heath (1 mile north), Mackerye End (1 mile north-east) and The Folly (2 miles east). Further out, we also cover Watford (11 miles south), Hemel Hempstead (6 miles south-west), Stevenage (10 miles north-east), St Albans (5 miles south), Welwyn Garden City (7 miles east) and Hitchin (10 miles north). Being one of Hertfordshire’s larger places, Harpenden has homes, rented property and businesses of every kind.
Near you in Harpenden
In Harpenden, that means homes and buildings near Lydekker Park, The Junction pub and Sir John Lawes School. Harpenden has its own railway station: Harpenden station. Other landmarks nearby include Harpenden Museum (under half a mile south-west) and Luton Castle (5 miles north-west). The countryside around Harpenden includes Wheathampstead Local Nature Reserve and Verulamium Lake.
What happens if roof problems are left?
Without a survey, you are guessing at what the roof needs. That can lead to the wrong work being done, or miss the fault that matters. We tell you what’s really needed. Roof faults found early can be planned for, while one found after water comes through normally has to be dealt with in a hurry, in Harpenden as anywhere.
A Basic Survey starts from £150, inc. VAT. The Standard Survey starts from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400. You will know the exact price before booking.
Why us?
- Visits on any day of the week
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Every finding written up with photos
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
Take a look at our cost guide and our case studies.
Harpenden questions
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Harpenden?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Is drone flying allowed in Harpenden?
That depends on where the roof is and on the weather. The flight restriction zone around Luton Airport comes within about 2 miles of Harpenden. We check the exact boundary for the address before flying, and if the roof falls inside it, we ask for permission first. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour.
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 a specialist asbestos surveyor should check them.
Are you insured?
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover our surveys. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
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.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
What’s covered in a roof inspection?
We check the coverings, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters, along with the loft where it’s safe. You get a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations.
Roof by roof
Flat roof coverings
Felt flat roofs often last around 15 to 20 years, EPDM rubber around 30 to 50 and GRP up to about 30. We check how the covering is wearing.
Natural slate
Inside the loft space, we check what’s under the slates. There may be old felt underlay, or none at all on very old roofs, and we note its condition.
How we price roof surveys
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- House, block, shop or office
- Roof area
- The shape of the roof and its details
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
Our price is from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included.
Helping us price your survey
What helps most when you contact us:
- What’s prompted the survey
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- The address and postcode of the property
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
Roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, and you can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email to find out.