Essex · London and the South East
Swallows Cross Roof Survey
Roof surveys across Swallows Cross, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photographs.
- Flashings that have come away from the wall
- Blocked, sagging or leaking gutters
- Gaps in the roof where coverings have gone
Local roofs in Swallows Cross
Historic houses such as Ingatestone Hall, about 2.5 miles east, show how far back building in the area around Swallows Cross goes. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. If your survey includes the drone, we check the Drone Safety Map for restrictions before flying.
If you look after a building like Shenfield High School, a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time.
Swallows Cross is about 3 miles north-east of Brentwood, in Essex. We survey roofs in Swallows Cross and the rest of Essex. We cover towns and villages across Essex, from the larger towns to small villages. We also survey roofs in Chelmsford.
Surveys in CM15 are booked the same way as anywhere else. If you need a roof survey at a property on Thoby Lane and Wyatt's Green Road or anywhere close by, we can survey it. Nearby, we also carry out roof surveys in Wyatt's Green (1 mile north-west), Green Street (1 mile north-east), Mountnessing (1 mile south-east), Doddinghurst (1 mile west) and Beggar Hill (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Chelmsford (8 miles north-east), Basildon (8 miles south-east), Harlow (12 miles north-west), Brentwood (3 miles south-west), Canvey Island (15 miles south-east) and Billericay (5 miles south-east).
Landmarks near Swallows Cross
Swallows Cross’s nearest station is Ingatestone station, about 2.3 miles east. Well-known places in the area include Brentwood Community Hospital (2.9 miles south). Not far away are Thorndon Park.
Roof survey in Swallows Cross: what you get
We survey roofs in Swallows Cross and across London and South East England. We carry out surveys on weekdays and at weekends. We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and bring 20+ years’ experience. Each survey ends with a written report, emailed with photographs and recommendations. Whether it’s a house, a flat or a commercial building, the process is the same. When you’re ready to book, ring 07833 053749 or email us. We survey lead flashings, ridges, hips and valleys and chimney stacks, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are leaning or weathered chimney stacks and standing water on a flat roof.
Some older homes in villages like Swallows Cross are listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials can be used when work is done, so check with the council before planning anything. Knowing the roof’s condition helps you plan ahead with that in mind. Older materials like clay tiles, slate and stone are often matched when work is done.
With the Standard Survey, you also get moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where it applies, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Place
- Swallows Cross (CM15)
- Region
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey changes by roof type
Lead flashings and valleys
Flashings and valleys are where many leaks start. That is why we check them closely.
Flat roof coverings
Repeated coatings can hide what’s underneath. If the covering would need opening up to know more, we say so.
Common questions in Swallows Cross
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Swallows Cross?
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.
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Ingatestone station?
Yes, rented property is part of what we cover. You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and some details, including who will give access on the day.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you will need a RICS survey as well.
How long does a roof survey take?
Allow roughly 1–2 hours at a typical home, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. We will give you an idea of timing when booking.
Can you survey a roof I share with a neighbour?
Yes. We inspect what the owner gives us access to. If a problem seems to come from next door, we’ll say so.
When will the report arrive?
That depends on which survey you choose: within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium. It is emailed to you.
Can you survey in bad weather?
It depends on the weather and the survey. Strong wind or heavy rain can make access unsafe and ground a drone, so we’d move the date with you.
How the survey works
When we arrive, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that is worrying you. After that, we look at everything we can see safely, using the ground, windows, the loft and a drone where applicable. Most surveys take an hour or two for most homes, depending on how many separate roofs there are. In a small place like Swallows Cross, access is typically the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- You tell us the address, the type of roof and what’s worrying you.
- A visit is booked for a weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
- 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
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
How to book
Booking is simple: just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form, let us know about the property and we will point you to the right survey. The price is agreed up front.
Advice
What we are asked to look at in Swallows Cross
Chimneys stand exposed above the roof. Pointing erodes, flaunching cracks and pots work loose. Water that gets into a stack can show up as damp in the rooms below.
Look out for signs like these:
- Loose chimney pots
- Slipped, cracked or missing slates and tiles
- Condensation or damp timbers in the loft
- Valley linings that have cracked or split
Landlords with a home close to Ingatestone station may find that a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
Before booking any roof surveyor
- Will the report include photos?
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- Do they have a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID for drone work?
Before and after the survey
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They’re worth knowing whatever the roof:
- Have details of recent roof work to hand
- Look for debris in the garden after high winds
- Stay off ladders and the roof
- Keep a record of damp patches and dates
We email the report to you. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24 to 48 hours and Premium the same day. Each finding is set out in plain English.
Have gutters and valleys cleared regularly, ideally after the leaves have fallen. Leave the clearing to a professional. Most overflow damage starts with a blocked gutter.
DIY checks: what’s safe
A DIY look is useful, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Nearby places to Swallows Cross
Also in Swallows Cross
Honest limits
It helps to know what a survey will not do before you book:
- An exact number of years the roof has left
- Whether the roof structure meets design loads
- Whether materials contain asbestos (that needs a specialist asbestos surveyor)
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we will recommend the right survey before booking. What a survey covers and doesn’t.
Roofs we survey in Swallows Cross
- Flat roofs
- Natural slate
- Clay and concrete tiles
- Ridges, hips and valleys
- The roof space
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks