Hertfordshire · London and the South East
Roof survey in How Wood, Hertfordshire
Roof surveys in How Wood from an independent, experienced roof surveyor. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Lifted, split or missing lead flashings
- Cracked or blistered flat roof coverings
- Worn or blocked valleys
Roof survey in How Wood
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. Flat roofs often need attention long before the main roof. Felt often lasts around 15 to 20 years, while EPDM rubber can last 30 to 50. Common reasons to book are gaps in the roof where coverings have gone and cracked or blistered flat roof coverings, across the roof space, ridges, hips and valleys and lead flashings.
In a smaller place like How Wood, some roofs stand more exposed to wind and rain than in a built-up town. Ridge tiles, verges, chimney stacks and flashings take the worst of it. A close look shows whether anything has started to loosen. A loose ridge tile or slate gives the wind something to catch, and others soon follow.
The written findings come by email, ready to forward to whoever needs them. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24–48 hours and Premium on the day.
- Where
- How Wood (AL2)
- Region
- Hertfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Questions from How Wood
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near How Wood station?
Yes, that’s a common request. We just need to know who will give access, and the report can go straight to you or your agent.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in How Wood?
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.
Do you give a life expectancy for the roof?
Not as an exact number, because so much depends on the fixings, underlay and upkeep. Instead, we set out what’s sound, what’s wearing and what to do first.
How much does a roof survey cost in How Wood?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for the job before you book, and it depends on the roof’s size, access and the package you choose. To get a price, call 07833 053749 or email us.
Can you survey at the weekend?
Surveys can be booked for any day of the week: Monday to Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Tell us which days suit you when booking.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
What does a roof survey include?
Slates or tiles, ridges, hips, valleys, flashings, chimneys and gutters are all checked, plus the roof space where there’s safe access. The report includes photos and recommendations.
What a roof survey looks like in How Wood
In this part of the South East, older roofs are mostly slate or clay tile and many newer ones concrete tile, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first. Where the drone is part of the survey, the flight is checked against the Drone Safety Map first.
Landlords with a home close to How Wood station may find that a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant. Take a building like How Wood Primary and Nursery School: large buildings have long gutter runs and big roofs that need checking like any other. For an older house near a landmark such as Church of the Holy Trinity, its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
How Wood is about 2 miles south-west of St Albans, in Hertfordshire. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in How Wood can all book roof surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. Our area takes in places right across Hertfordshire. For surveys nearby, see our London page.
We survey roofs across AL2 for roof surveys. Whether your property is on Ringway Road, Alder Close and How Wood or a nearby road, we can survey it. Other places close to How Wood include Park Street (1 mile north-east), Chiswell Green (1 mile north-west), Frogmore (1 mile east), Bricket Wood (1 mile south-west) and Colney Street (1 mile south-east). Larger places within reach include Watford (4 miles south-west), Hemel Hempstead (5 miles north-west), Stevenage (15 miles north-east), Welwyn Garden City (9 miles north-east), Harpenden (7 miles north) and Hoddesdon (15 miles east).
Around How Wood
In How Wood, that means homes and buildings near Marlborough Science Academy and The Falcon pub. There is a railway station in How Wood itself: How Wood station. Nearby you will also find Hilfield Castle (4.6 miles south) and Hypocaust Museum (2.1 miles north). Green spaces nearby include Broad Colney Lakes and Verulamium Lake.
Surveys for landlords and agents in How Wood
Letting agents frequently book on a landlord’s behalf, and the report can go to both. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too, from shops and offices to industrial units. Bigger roofs take more time, so they’re priced to suit.
What affects the cost of roof surveys
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Roof area
- The shape of the roof and its details
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
For a price for your roof in How Wood, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and let us know about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Booking your survey
There is no need for technical words. It’s enough to let us know:
- Dates you are working to, like exchange
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Where the property is, with the postcode
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email, and we’ll ask about the building and what you need. The price is agreed before a date is set.
What a roof survey does not cover
This isn’t a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
- The condition of the rest of the building (that is a RICS home survey)
- A promise that the roof won’t leak in future
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will give you a straight answer before booking. The full list of what we check.
What we look at
- Flat roofs
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Chimney stacks
- The roof space
- Natural slate
- Lead flashings
- Ridges, hips and valleys
Leave it or get it looked at?
Leaving it means relying on what you can see from the ground. That can lead to the wrong work being done, or to a real problem being missed. We tell you what’s really needed. Blocked gutters on homes around How Wood overflow and soak walls. It is easy to sort the cause early and slow to dry a damp wall.
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 us?
- Packages from £150, with VAT included
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- 5,000+ surveys completed
The survey, step by step
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes between one and two hours for an ordinary house roof, and longer if there are extensions, dormers or several chimneys. You are welcome to ask questions while we are there. In a smaller place like How Wood, as anywhere, the forecast plays a part: drone flights and thermal imaging need the right conditions, while a look from ground level and the loft can go ahead in most weather.
- You tell us the address, the type of roof and what’s worrying you.
- We agree a date, including weekends if that suits you.
- Outside, we inspect from the ground, windows and other safe vantage points, and from the roof where safe.
- Inside, we check the loft space where there’s safe access.
- You receive the report with photos and recommendations, prioritised by urgency.
How to prepare
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
Arrange a survey
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the details.
Related advice
What we look for on each type of roof
Lead flashings and valleys
Lead flashings seal chimneys, walls and abutments. Lifted, split or slipped lead is recorded, and for flashings replaced with mortar or bitumen.
Natural slate
Natural slate can last 100 years or more, but its nails often corrode first. Slipped, cracked and missing slates are all noted.