Greater London · London and the South East
Ilford Roof Survey
A roof condition survey for homes and buildings for Ilford and the rest of Greater London. Surveys run on weekdays and at weekends.
- Slates or tiles that have slipped or broken
- Lifted, split or missing lead flashings
- Leaning or weathered chimney stacks
Local roofs in Ilford
The flight restriction zone around London City Airport comes within about 2 miles of Ilford. If your survey includes the drone, we check the exact boundary for the address before flying. The wider area around Ilford has a long history of building, with Valentines Mansion about 0.9 miles north-west. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you let a flat or house near Ilford station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let. The streets around a church such as St Alban's Church are often among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs. Trees in and around South Park shed leaves that can end up in nearby gutters.
Ilford is about 4 miles east of Leyton, in Greater London. From houses to flats and shops in Ilford, we can survey the roof. Ilford is one of the towns and villages in Greater London where we work for roof surveys. You can also see our page for London.
Here we cover the IG1, IG3, IG2 and E12 postcode area for roof surveys. If you need a roof survey at a property on Station Road, Axon Place and Hainault Street or a nearby road, we can help. You’ll find Ilford on the A118, which makes it simple to reach. Nearby, we also carry out roof surveys in Cranbrook (1 mile north-west), Loxford (1 mile south), Seven Kings (1 mile north-east), Manor Park (1 mile south-west) and Little Ilford (1 mile south-west). We also work in nearby towns such as London (8 miles south-west), City of Westminster (10 miles west), Marylebone (10 miles west), Kensington (13 miles west), St Pancras (9 miles west) and Shoreditch (7 miles west).
Around Ilford
Typical jobs here are in homes near Great Spoon of Ilford pub, The Ursuline Academy Ilford and South Park and the streets around them. There’s a railway station in Ilford itself: Ilford station. Nearby you’ll also find Gallions Reach Shopping Park (3.5 miles south) and Redbridge Museum (less than half a mile south-west). Green spaces nearby include Hollow Pond and Ripple Nature Reserve.
How a roof survey works in Ilford
Many homes have several roofs, not just one. Flat roofs over extensions, garages and dormers are common in felt, EPDM rubber, GRP or asphalt. They’re included alongside the main 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 natural slate, ridges, hips and valleys and chimney stacks, and people most often book us about worn lead at chimneys and abutments and water stains on rafters and ceiling joists.
London has Victorian and Edwardian terraces in almost every borough, many with Welsh slate roofs, shared chimney stacks and parapet or valley gutters. Good slates can last over a hundred years, yet the nails often give out first and let slates slip. In Ilford, as across London, that is why a roof needs a proper look rather than a glance from the street. Lead flashings and shared chimney stacks on these houses need a careful look too.
Nothing in the report is left vague: where something needs attention, it says so plainly, and where it can wait, that’s said too.
- Where
- Ilford (IG1, IG3, IG2, E12)
- Region
- Greater London
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Tips that help
You don’t need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- Find records of any re-roofing or repairs
- Move stored items away from the loft hatch
- Mention any flat roofs as well as the main roof
- Keep the report with your property records
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.
Keep gutters, valleys and outlets clear of leaves and moss, ideally after the leaves have fallen. Leave the clearing to a professional. Clear gutters prevent a lot of damp.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work.
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
DIY checks: what’s safe
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
Nearby places to Ilford
Also in Ilford
How the survey changes by roof type
Chimney stacks
Each chimney’s pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings are checked, as far as we can safely see them. We note any lean or loose pots.
Flat roof coverings
Some flat roofs have been coated over several times. If the covering would need opening up to know more, we say so.
What a survey costs
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- Commercial roofs and larger buildings
- The roof’s overall size
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
One thing that affects the price is the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all with VAT included. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
What we need to know
The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, it helps to mention:
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
- When you need the report by
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
Roof survey starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the details.
What we do, step by step
Where it is relevant and can be reached safely, the loft space is checked as well as the outside. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement. All in, the survey normally takes an hour or two for most houses, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. Many London properties are flats or terraces with no side access, so rear slopes are viewed from windows, the loft or, where a flight is allowed, by drone. Mention any building rules, key holders or managing agents when booking.
- You tell us about the property and any concerns.
- A visit is booked for a weekday or a weekend.
- We inspect from ground level, from windows, from the loft space and from the roof where safe.
- Every part of the roof is checked and photographed.
- Your report arrives by email, with recommendations prioritised by urgency.
Getting ready for the survey
- Let us know about parking near the property
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the freeholder or managing agent
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
Arrange a survey
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. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Advice
Common questions in Ilford
Will parking be an issue for a roof survey in Ilford?
London parking needs a little planning, so let us know about permits, bays or a driveway when you book. That way the visit can be planned around it.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Ilford?
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 test for asbestos?
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.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. It’s a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it helps and it is safe, yes. Flights depend on the weather on the day and airspace rules, including flight restriction zones near airports. We hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID.
Can you tell me how long my roof will last?
Not as a figure. We describe the condition of each part of the roof and how it is wearing, and we say what needs attention and how urgently.
How many surveys have you done?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have completed over 5,000 surveys.