Essex · London and the South East
Roof survey in Shellow Bowells, Essex
An experienced roof surveyor for roof surveys in Shellow Bowells. More than 20 years and over 5,000 surveys.
- Cracked mortar along the ridge
- Gutters that overflow in heavy rain
- Worn lead at chimneys and abutments
The survey, step by step
Safety comes first on every visit. We inspect everything that’s safely in view, and anything we cannot see is noted in the report. The survey normally takes about one to two hours on an ordinary house, and longer for a large or complex roof. Cottages and farmhouses around Shellow Bowells frequently have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen.
- You get in touch with the address and anything you’ve noticed.
- A visit is booked for a weekday or a weekend.
- We look at the roof from every safe vantage point, inside and out.
- Every part of the roof is checked and photographed.
- We email a photo-illustrated written report and recommendations.
Preparing for the visit
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
- Buyers: confirm access with the estate agent or seller
How to book
To book a survey, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price before booking.
Related advice
How a roof survey works in Shellow Bowells
Many homes have several roofs, not just one. Flat roofs over extensions, garages and dormers are common. They’re included alongside the main roof, looking for ponding, splits, blisters and worn upstands. Flat roofs often need attention long before the main roof. A felt roof frequently lasts around 15 to 20 years, and GRP up to about 30. If you are worried about flashings that have come away from the wall and gaps in the roof where coverings have gone, we can find out what’s behind it, on ridges, hips and valleys, lead flashings and clay and concrete tiles alike.
In a small place like Shellow Bowells, many roofs stand in the open, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are frequently where weather gets in first.
Most points in the report come with a picture, because a photo of a cracked flashing says more than a paragraph. Anything out of sight on the day is listed as such.
- Where
- Shellow Bowells (CM5)
- Region
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Honest limits
To be straight with you, a roof survey has limits:
- How the roof will behave in every kind of weather
- What’s under the slates, tiles or felt
- The condition of the rest of the building (that’s a RICS home survey)
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we will recommend the right survey. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- Chimney stacks
- Natural slate
- The roof space
- Flat roofs
- Lead flashings
What we look for on each type of roof
Chimney stacks
Water that gets into a stack can show as damp in the rooms below. We look for the likely route in.
Clay plain and peg tiles
Where tiles hang on walls or dormers, we look at them too. Gaps in tile-hanging let water reach the wall behind.
Before and after the survey
Nothing here needs a ladder. Our suggestions:
- File the report with your home documents
- Look for debris in the garden after high winds
- Mention any flat roofs as well as the main roof
- Keep a record of damp patches and dates
Where it helps, we say which items are urgent. Some faults need dealing with soon, while others can wait for planned work. It makes the next steps much clearer.
Do not block the vents at the eaves. A stuffy loft collects condensation, which can dampen timbers and insulation over time. Keep insulation clear of eaves vents.
Why get it checked now?
Roof faults rarely stay the same size. A single gap lets water onto the timbers underneath, and wet timber starts to decay. Catching it early means less to put right. Where a roof is exposed, as many are in small places like Shellow Bowells, driving rain gets into any weakness, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
Every price we give includes VAT. Our price is from £150, including VAT. You will know the price for the job before you book.
What you get with us
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- 20+ years’ experience
- Surveys seven days a week
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
Read how roof surveys are priced and two real surveys.
What a survey costs
A few things affect what a survey costs:
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- The height of the building and how the roof can be seen safely
- The size of the roof
One thing that affects the price is the package: from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, including VAT. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
Getting in touch
If you can, have these to hand when you get in touch:
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
- What’s prompted the survey
- The address and postcode of the property
- The type of building and roof, such as pitched or flat
Our phone lines are open seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. For a price or to book, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Roof surveys in Shellow Bowells: local notes
Older buildings in Essex often have clay tiles and weatherboarding, with post-war and more recent estates making up much of the newer housing. Whichever you have, the details that tend to fail before the covering itself get the closest look. An older home may be listed, or stand in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent.
Whatever the street in Shellow Bowells, a roof costs least to look after when faults are caught early. If you live in an older home near Church of St Peter and St Paul, corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs.
Shellow Bowells is about 7 miles west of Chelmsford, in Essex. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Shellow Bowells can all book roof surveys. Our area takes in places right across Essex, large and small. There’s also a page for Chelmsford.
Roof surveys in CM5 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. Close by, we survey roofs in Willingale (1 mile west), Berners Roding (1 mile west), Radley Green (2 miles south), Chalk End (2 miles north-east) and Roxwell (2 miles east). Further out, we also cover Chelmsford (7 miles east), Basildon (13 miles south-east), Braintree (14 miles north-east), Harlow (9 miles west), Brentwood (8 miles south) and Maldon (15 miles east).
Landmarks near Shellow Bowells
A little further out are Willingale Doe (0.7 miles west) and Chelmsford and Essex Hospital (5.7 miles east).
Your questions about roof surveys in Shellow Bowells
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Shellow Bowells?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Will you come out to Shellow Bowells?
Yes. Shellow Bowells is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
Can you survey at the weekend?
We carry out surveys on weekdays and at weekends. To find a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
How experienced are you?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys, across London and South East England.
What does a roof survey cost?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on its size, height, access and the package, confirmed before anything is booked.
Do you use drones?
Yes, where it is applicable. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and every flight depends on the airspace and the weather.
Can you survey a roof I share with a neighbour?
Yes, the part you own or can give access to. We can only look at neighbouring roofs as far as access allows. Shared chimneys and party-wall upstands are checked from your side.