Greater London · London and the South East
Roof survey in Highbury, Greater London
A roof condition survey for homes and buildings in Highbury. We have completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Worn or blocked valleys
- Lifted, split or missing lead flashings
- Standing water on a flat roof
Roof survey in Highbury: what you get
Many homes have several roofs, not just one. Rear extensions, dormers, porches and garages frequently have flat roofs in felt, EPDM rubber, GRP or asphalt. We check them as well as the main pitched roof, including signs of standing water, splits and tired upstands. A flat roof typically wears out sooner than a pitched one, so they deserve a careful look. A felt roof often lasts around 15 to 20 years, and GRP up to about 30. We survey clay and concrete tiles, the roof space and chimney stacks, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are water stains on rafters and ceiling joists and valley linings that have cracked or split.
A London butterfly roof slopes down to a central valley gutter that drains to the back of the house. From the street you see only a parapet wall, so blocked outlets and split linings go unnoticed until water comes through a ceiling. For a house in Highbury with this kind of roof, the hidden gutter is one of the first things to check.
If any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You’ll know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Where
- Highbury (N1, N16, N5)
- Region
- Greater London
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Different roofs, different checks
Clay plain and peg tiles
Clay tiles are common on older South East homes. Rotten pegs and battens let tiles move.
Flat roof coverings
Repeated coatings can hide what’s underneath. If the covering would need opening up to know more, we say so.
What a roof survey looks like in Highbury
With Sutton House about 2 miles east, Highbury sits in an area with a long building history. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs. Where the drone is part of the survey, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
If you let a flat or house near Canonbury station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at. For businesses in and around places like Hackney Walk, a written record of the roof’s condition helps you plan maintenance rather than react to leaks. Trees in and around Highbury Fields shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters.
Highbury is about 4 miles north-east of City of Westminster, in Greater London. We visit Highbury as part of our work across Greater London, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. Our area takes in places right across Greater London.
We cover every part of N1, N16 and N5 for roof surveys and the streets around it. Whether your property is on Prah Road, Dove Road and Lough Road or a nearby road, we can survey it. Highbury is on the A1199, so it’s easy for us to get to. If you’re just outside Highbury, we cover Newington Green (1 mile east), Mildmay (1 mile east), Canonbury (1 mile south-east), De Beauvoir Town (1 mile south-east) and Stoke Newington (1 mile north-east). Larger places within reach include London (4 miles south), City of Westminster (4 miles south-west), Marylebone (3 miles south-west), Kensington (6 miles south-west), Walthamstow (4 miles north-east) and Whitechapel (3 miles south-east).
Around Highbury
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Highbury Fields, Musical Theatre Academy and The Snooty Fox pub. Highbury has its own railway station: Canonbury station. A little further out are Arsenal Football Club Museum (0.6 miles north-west) and Montfichet's Tower (2.7 miles south). Not far away are Gillespie Park and Dartmouth Park Hill.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From the ground, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Prices for roof surveys in Highbury
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package matters as well. We’ll give you the figure before anything is booked.
Booking your survey
There’s no need for technical words. It is enough to let us know:
- When you need the report by
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- What made you get in touch
A quick phone call is typically the easiest start: ring 07833 053749 or send us an email. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Highbury questions
I let a flat near Canonbury station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, landlords and agents book with us as well as owners. Just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us about the building.
Is parking a problem for a survey in Highbury?
It depends on the street. If Highbury has controlled parking where you are, a visitor permit is the easiest answer.
Does someone need to be in?
Not always. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
How long will you be at the property?
On site, it normally takes an hour or two for most houses, and longer for a large or complex roof. The report follows within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
Can you look at a roof that is joined to next door?
Yes. We inspect what the owner gives us access to. Where a defect looks to be on the neighbour’s side, the report says so.
How experienced are you?
We have been surveying roofs for over 20 years and have completed over 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
Will the report say how many years my roof has left?
Not as a figure. We describe the condition of each part of the roof and how it’s wearing, with recommendations ranked by urgency.
Places near Highbury
Also in Highbury
What we do, step by step
On the day, we start by asking what you’ve noticed and what you want to find out. We then inspect everything that can be seen safely. The survey normally takes roughly 1–2 hours for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. Surveys in Highbury can be booked for any day of the week. It helps if you can point us to a visitor permit or a nearby bay. A back bedroom window can be the best vantage point for a rear addition, so we may ask to use one.
- 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
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Arrange a survey
Roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the details.
Read more
Practical tips
These tips come from what we see on roofs every week:
- Mention any damp patches as you book
- Check the roof from the ground after storms
- Leave roof access to professionals
- Have details of recent roof work to hand
The recommendations are prioritised by urgency where relevant. Some faults need dealing with soon, while others can wait for planned work. It makes the next steps much clearer.
Keep the loft space ventilated. Condensation builds up when air cannot move, which can dampen timbers and insulation over time. Make sure insulation doesn’t block the airflow at the eaves.
What a roof survey doesn’t cover
To be straight with you, there are limits to any roof survey:
- A full building survey of the property
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
If you’re not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
What we look at
- The roof space
- Flat roofs
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- Chimney stacks
- Lead flashings
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles