Greater London · London and the South East
Holborn Roof Survey
Find out what’s going on with the roof before you decide what to do next. We carry out roof surveys in Holborn.
- Torn or sagging underlay
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Ponding, splits or blisters on flat roofs
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 how the covering is wearing.
Clay plain and peg tiles
Clay tiles are common on older South East homes, and some have Kent peg tiles held by pegs. Rotten pegs and battens let tiles move, leaving gaps along the courses.
Roof surveys for homes and businesses in Holborn
There is no single reason to have a roof surveyed. Some have spotted a stain or a slipped slate, while others just want to know where they stand. Whatever the reason, the survey works the same way: we inspect carefully and explain what we see in writing. Visits run on weekdays and at weekends, so it is easy to find a day that suits. We survey chimney stacks, lead flashings and clay and concrete tiles, and people most frequently book us about lifted, split or missing lead flashings and valley linings that have cracked or split.
Many London terraces have a butterfly roof, with two slopes meeting in a central valley gutter that drains to the rear. 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 Holborn with this kind of roof, the hidden gutter is one of the first things to check.
The report is written in plain words, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photo where possible, with the urgent items made clear.
- Location
- Holborn (WC1X, WC1N, EC1R)
- Region
- Greater London
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Useful tips for Holborn property owners
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Include dormers, porches and garages when you book
- Check the roof from the ground after storms
- Take photos of any leaks as they happen
- Let us know about past leaks
Where it helps, we say which items are urgent. Some things need prompt attention, others can be planned for. It makes the next steps much clearer.
Have the roof surveyed every few years, and after major storms. Routine surveys pick up wear before it leaks. Each report gives a record to compare against.
What happens on the day
The aim of the visit is simple: to see as much of the roof as can be seen safely and record it clearly. Notes and photographs go into the written report. It normally takes about one to two hours for a house, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours. In converted houses and mansion blocks, the loft hatch is often on a shared landing. Where that’s the case, access needs agreeing with whoever controls that landing. Everything else is planned around the building, not the postcode.
- We start with the property details and any concerns.
- We agree a date, including weekends if that suits you.
- Outside, we inspect from ground level, windows and other safe vantage points, and from the roof where safe.
- Inside, we check the loft space where there is safe access.
- You receive the report with photos and recommendations, prioritised by urgency.
Getting ready for the survey
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Keep pets in another room
How to book
Once you know what you need, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form. From there it’s a case of choosing a package, agreeing the price and fixing a day.
Advice
Local roofs in Holborn
The restricted area over the City of London, where drone flights need permission from NATS, is about 2 miles from Holborn. If your survey includes the drone, we check whether the address falls inside it before flying. Close to the centre of London, a great many houses are Victorian or Edwardian terraces, many of them roofed in Welsh slate. A butterfly roof with a central valley gutter, tucked behind a parapet wall, is common on these houses. Lead flashings, party-wall upstands and shared chimney stacks are typical of these houses, if yours is one of them. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first.
Living close to Lincoln's Inn Fields is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn, and an overflowing gutter soon means a wet wall. If you own a rental within reach of Farringdon station, knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints. Take a building like St Alban's Church of England Primary School: a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time.
Holborn is about 2 miles north-west of London, in Greater London. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Holborn can all book roof surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. We cover towns and villages across Greater London.
Here we cover the WC1X, WC1N and EC1R postcode area for roof surveys. We cover properties on Shoe Lane, Drury Lane and New Square and the roads around them. With the A4 and A40 close by, Holborn is simple for us to get to. We also cover Farringdon (1 mile east), St Pancras (1 mile north-west), Clare Market (1 mile south), Smithfield (1 mile east) and Temple Bar (1 mile south). Further out, we also cover Kensington (4 miles west), Walthamstow (6 miles north-east), Hampstead (4 miles north-west), Ruislip (13 miles west), Brompton (3 miles south-west) and Stockwell (4 miles south).
Around Holborn
Around Holborn, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The Yorkshire Grey pub, British Library of Political and Economic Science and City Academy, among other places. Nearby too are Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School (0.9 miles north) and Lincoln's Inn Fields (less than half a mile south-west). There is a railway station in Holborn itself: Farringdon station. Other landmarks nearby include Montfichet's Tower (0.7 miles south-east) and Brunswick Centre (0.5 miles north-west). The countryside around Holborn includes Barnsbury Wood and Ludgate Hill.
Towns and villages near Holborn
More services for Holborn
What a survey costs
Prices always include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
- House, block, shop or office
The cost of a survey depends on the roof: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how safely it can be seen. Roof survey starts from £150, including VAT.
What to let us know when you contact us
There is no need for technical words. It is enough to let us know:
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Dates you’re working to, like exchange
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- The kind of building and roof involved
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to ring 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will explain the options and the price.
What happens if roof problems are left?
It’s easier to plan roof work than to react to it. A survey lets you deal with things in order of urgency, rather than calling someone out after a storm. In a London terrace or conversion, a roof defect rarely stays your problem alone: failed flashings and blocked valley gutters can send water into more than one home. Finding it early keeps the work smaller.
Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Holborn
- An independent look at the roof
- Surveys seven days a week
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
- 20+ years’ experience
See our cost guide or two real surveys.
Holborn: your questions answered
Is my home in Holborn listed or in a conservation area?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. It matters most if you are planning to re-roof in a different material.
Are there drone restrictions around Holborn?
Usually it comes down to two things: the airspace at the address and the weather. The restricted area over the City of London, where drone flights need permission from NATS, is about 2 miles from Holborn. If a roof falls inside it, we apply for permission before flying, and the flight only goes ahead if it’s granted. London’s airspace includes flight restriction zones around Heathrow, London City Airport and London Heliport, and restricted areas over Hyde Park, the City of London and the Isle of Dogs. Each address is checked against all of them before the drone goes up. A small drone cannot fly safely in strong wind or a downpour.
What does a roof survey cost?
Prices start from £150, including VAT. You’ll know the exact price before booking. For a price, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Can you look at a roof that is joined to next door?
Yes, we inspect your part of the roof. We can only look at neighbouring roofs as far as access allows. Shared chimneys and party-wall upstands are looked at from your side.
What’s the best way to book?
The quickest way is to ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email. Tell us the address and a little about the roof, and we will take it from there. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
Do you need to get into the loft?
If it’s needed and safe to reach, yes. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging, as far as the space allows.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Light rain does not usually stop a survey, and it can even help show where water is getting in. High wind or heavy rain can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so if conditions aren’t right we’ll arrange another day with you.
DIY checks: what’s safe
It’s useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us as you book.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Take a photo and write down when you saw it, which helps when we check the roof.